Football FAQs
Click questions below for answers to common questions
What equipment do we need to purchase?
- Molded football cleats (no screw in spikes)
- Practice jersey (XL shirt to cover shoulder pads during practice - Wolverine practice jerseys will be available for purchase the first week of practice)
- Athletic Supporter (cup)
- Mouth Guard
We encourage donations of any slightly used cleats, practice jerseys, integrated practice pants, etc. You can post what you have available to the exchange portion of the website.
When and where do we pick up our shoulder pads/helmet and other equipment?
Equipment will be handed out at a designated time before the season starts. Helmets will be fitted to each player's head. All registration forms MUST be completed and turned in in order to receive your equipment. In the event your forms are not complete, the player's equipment will be bagged and held with your their name until completed forms are turned in.
What do the players need to bring to practice?
- Water, water and more water - hydration is key!
- First week of practice - shorts, t-shirt, cup and cleats.
- After the first week of practice - helmet, shoulder pads, mouth guard, cup, cleats and practice pants with pads.
- Bug repellent (optional)
- Any necessary medical supplies, i.e inhalers
When are practices and what should I expect from practices?
- Practices are held Mondays - Thursdays from 6 PM to 8 PM the first 3 weeks of August at Antolini School in New Hartford.
- Once school begins, practices are held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
- It is VERY important that players are at practice on-time and fully suited up as the warm-up and stretching portion of the practice is necessary to minimize muscle pulls and injuries.
- In the event a player must miss practice, you MUST notify one of your coaches.
- If a player misses too many practices during a week, they may not be able to play in that week’s game. This is at the discretion of the Head Coach of your team.
- Please pick up after yourselves after practice (garbage, wrappers, water bottles, etc).
Where do I park for practices?
Good question! Please park in the first parking lot on the right when you first come up the hill to Antolini School. Parking at the field is RESERVED for coaches and individuals that need assistance. Please do NOT drive up to the field to drop-off or pick-up your child.
When are games played?
- Games are played on Sundays. You will be provided with a schedule of game locations and times. This will also be posted on the website.
- There is a Jamboree (for football players) scheduled in August This is a fun day that consists of 20 minute games against other teams in the league. Dates TBD.
- In the event your player must miss a game, please notify one of your coaches. Please give your coach as much notice so they can design their plays around it.
Will my child play in every game?
NHYFC makes it a practice that every player will play a minimum of 6 plays per game. The amount of game time your child plays depends on many factors including their effort, attitude and attendance. In the event you have a question about your child, please speak with Bill Marcano and he will address your particular situation.
What are Team Parents?
Team Parents are responsible for reminding parents of events and other pertinent information. Team Parents also put together a team roster, coordinate a sign-up schedule for half-time snacks, coordinate a team booth for Harvest Day and team gifts. If you would like to be a Team Parent, please notify your coach ASAP!
Do I have to participate in fundraising?
Football is one of the only sports where the equipment (helmet, pads, game jersey and game pants) is provided to the players for their use during the season. This equipment is very expensive! In addition to this, we must pay for, among other things, 3 officials for each game, an EMT presence at each game, league insurance and league dues. The registration fees collected do not come close to covering these costs. Because of this, fundraising is an integral part of our organization.
We know that everyone is very busy, but every family is expected to participate in fundraising, in one form or another. This can be accomplished by volunteering to work at the snack shack and apparel tent during a home game, working the chains at the games, donating food to snack shack (home games), working on our Harvest Day fundraising or Football Banquet committee or making a donation in lieu of participating. We expect every family to give back to the program!What kinds of food can I make to sell at our home game Snack Shack?
Soups, pulled pork, meatballs, chili, macaroni and cheese, cookies/brownies always sell well. We have room for crockpots - just bring them and we will price and sell the food! The more money we make at the Snack Shack, the less we raise later!
When are pictures?
Pictures will take place during one of our practices and we will notify you as soon as the date is set. Picture day is also one of our fundraisers - we receive a percentage of money back!
Can I buy Wolverine Wear at any other times other than at the games?
We will soon have Wolverine Wear for purchase on our website www.nhyfc.org.
I saw some framed action photos of players last year – how can I order one of my child?
We will be offer "action" photos each year. More information to follow!
Do we have a year end banquet/awards ceremony?
Yes! We will have a Football Banquet in mid-November.
If I have concerns, complaints or suggestions, whom do I speak with?
Any concerns, complaints or suggestions should be directed toward Rob Weiss, Vice President of the Wolverines. In no way should conversations be held in front of the players. Please know that any concerns, complaints or suggestions will remain confidential if requested.
Cheer FAQs
Click questions below for answers to common questions.
When and where are practices?
Pratices are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays the first 3 weeks of August at Ann Antolini School from 6 PM to 8 PM.
Once school starts, practice will be held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays either at Ann Antolini School or the Field House at Brodie Park North.
Rules for parking are posted in the football FAQ’s.
What should my cheerleader wear to practice?
- We will be ordering cheer shoes during the first weeks of practice. Once they are distributed, those MUST be worn to all practices. Prior to that, please wear sneakers and socks. Cheer shoes should NOT be worn outside of practice, therefore please have an extra pair of shoes for your child to change out of before and into after practice.
- Wear clothing that is non-restrictive (NO JEANS)
- Hair must be worn away from the face. No large plastic or metal hair decorations.
- NO jewelry of any kind, including elastic bands on wrists.
- Bring WATER!
What should my cheerleader wear to practice?
We will be ordering cheer shoes during the first weeks of practice. Once they are distributed, those MUST be worn to all practices. Prior to that, please wear sneakers and socks. Cheer shoes should NOT be worn outside of practice, therefore please have an extra pair of shoes for your child to change out of before and into after practice.
Wear clothing that is non-restrictive (NO JEANS)
Hair must be worn away from the face. No large plastic or metal hair decorations
NO jewelry of any kind, including elastic bands on wrists
Bring WATER!
Are there any Practice Rules?
Be kind - there is no room for personal conflicts at practice
Warming up is NOT optional - you must participate in order to cheer!
Never build a stunt without the coach present
No talking between cheers
No gum, candy or soda during practice
In order to be counted as attending, you must participate in all facets of practice
No cell phone usage during practice, this includes texting
What happens if there is inclement weather on a practice night?
Practice goes on if in inclement weather.
What if my cheerleader cannot make a practice or game?
You MUST give as much notice as possible to your cheer coach so that they can plan accordingly. During the first week of practice, your cheer coach will advise you as to the best way to contact them. If your cheerleader misses many practices, the cheer coach may have to adjust your cheerleader’s position in stunts, for obvious safety reasons.
Do the cheerleaders need to cheer at a game in inclement weather?
Yes! If the football game is not cancelled, the cheerleaders MUST attend and cheer unless both teams agree not to play. This is VERY important because NHYFC is fined for every game that the cheerleaders do not attend ($50 for the first game, $100.00 for the second game, $200.00 for the third game, etc.).
When is the cheer competition and is my cheerleader required to attend?
The cheer competition is at the end of October with the place TBD. All cheerleaders are required to participate. Once tickets are available for purchase, you will be notified as they are not available at the door.
I saw action pictures of cheerleaders last year - will those be done again this year?
Yes! If you are interested in buying an "action" picture of your cheerleader, please let us know early in the season so that we can start taking pictures early to insure we have an excellent shot.
Will there be a year end banquet?
We do not have a date yet, but we will give you more information as soon as the Banquet is set.
What is Harvest Day?
Harvest Day is a fundraiser held in the fall. It is carnival-like and very fun! Parents are encouraged to volunteer for the Harvest Day committee. The cheerleaders WILL be responsible for participation in Harvest Day as well all the football players. We ask that ALL parents become involved in fundraising during the season by either working in the Snack Shack (home game) or volunteering for a committee.
Any questions, please contact Rebecca Marcano, Cheer Coordinator.
