FAQ
- Who are we?
- When does the season begin?
- My son or daughter has never played football or cheered before. Can he or she still participate?
- Where do I have to live in order to play on DHYFA?
- What do I need to bring when I sign up?
- When will our head coach contact us?
- How long does the season last?
- How many days/hours do the players practice?
- Where are practices held?
- What if we already have a vacation scheduled for August?
- How many games will be played?
- When and where are games played?
- I have heard that football coaches are constantly yelling at the players. Is that true?
- Who does the scheduling of the games?
- Is there a refund policy if my player changes his mind and decides not to play?
- Why must I furnish a copy of my child’s report cards?
- Is a baptismal or hospital birth certificate sufficient to prove my child’s age?
- Why must my child have a physical & release form?
- What is Certification?
- What equipment must I supply?
- Does my son or daughter have to return their equipment at the end of the season?
- What fees are involved?
- What does my registration and association fees cover?
- How can I make a donation to the program?
- How much volunteer time is expected from parents?
- Why must parents participate so much?
- Can anyone be a Head Coach?
- Can I request a certain Coach or Team?
- What happens if my child misses practice?
- Is it mandatory to fundraise?
- Who can I talk to if I have a question about football registration?
- How are volunteers screened?
- I would like to view a copy of DHYFA's budget
- Who can I talk to if I have a complaint?
When does the season begin?
August 2, 2010.
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My son or daughter has never played football or cheered before. Can he or she still participate?
Yes. There is no prior experience required. On the younger aged teams, many of the players have had no prior football or cheerleading experience. As the age of the player increases, generally the players or cheerleaders with no experience will decrease.
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Where do I have to live in order to play on DHYFA?
Football players and cheerleaders must come from within the DHYFA boundaries. The following areas are included in those boundaries: Anthem, Desert Hills, New River, Black Canyon City and Tramonto.
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What do I need to bring when I sign up?
Check our home page for all the registration details.
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When will our head coach contact us?
In early July.
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How long does the season last?
4 ½ months. The season begins August 2, 2010 to begin conditioning the participants. The first game of the season is Saturday, September 4, 2010 and continues into November for 10 games. There is the potential for the season to continue into December if your team is successful and continues on to Nationals, which is National Championship games held in Florida.
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How many days/hours do the players practice?
4 or 5 days a week during for the first 4 weeks (10 hours per week maximum), and depending on the division your player is in. After the first 4 weeks of August, the practice schedule will change to 2 to 3 days a week (6 hours per week maximum).
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Where are practices held?
At the Anthem community fields, Boulder Creek High School practice fields and local Elementary schools
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What if we already have a vacation scheduled for August?
Please discuss this with your Head Coach as soon as possible. Regular attendance is crucial during August due to the fundamental instruction and mandatory conditioning that takes place during the first 2 weeks of August. It is also imperative that your player be at these early season practices so that he can participate in the MANDATORY certification process, which will enable him to play on a given team. Practice throughout the season is critical, and we encourage all families to give strong consideration to their vacation schedule after the 1st of August, and their commitment to Wolfpack Football.
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How many games will be played?
All teams will play 10 games. Additional games will be played if the team makes playoffs for the Cadet level and above.
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When and where are games played?
All games are on Saturdays. Home games are played at Boulder Creek High School. Away games will vary by location~~our conference covers South East Valley, Cave Creek / Carefree, Chandler, South Mountain, Gilbert, North West Valley, West Valley, Gila River, Scottsdale, Desert West, North Phoenix, Queen Creek, Laveen and Buckeye
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I have heard that football coaches are constantly yelling at the players, is that true?
No. While coaches will yell from time to time, it should never be in a derogatory way. The game of football is intense, loud, and the players are wearing helmets which limit their ability to hear everything clearly. To that end, a coach will yell, but again, never in a derogatory manner. We insist that the coaches make playing football a positive experience for the players. The use of profanity is absolutely forbidden and coaches are never allowed to address a player in a belittling fashion. Any violations by coaches, which are reported, will be investigated and handled by our Board of Directors.
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Who does the scheduling of the games?
Central Arizona Youth Football League.
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Is there a refund policy if my player changes his mind and decides not to play?
No, DHYFA does not give refunds. In very rare cases due to injury or illness (only during the first two weeks of practice), a credit voucher for the following season may be issued. Approval of said voucher will be determined by the Board of Directors. All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing with a live signature to P.O. Box 74203, Phoenix AZ 85027.
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Why must I furnish a copy of my child’s report cards?
It is an American Youth Football rule that each participant provides proof of scholastic fitness in order to be on a roster and participate. It also qualifies those eligible, to participate in local and national award ceremonies. Report cards must be turned in by the first day of practice. Be sure to save all current school year report cards.
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Is a baptismal or hospital birth certificate sufficient to prove my child’s age?
No. The only acceptable proof of age is a certified county birth certificate or a passport.
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Why must my child have a physical & release form?
CAFL (Central Arizona Football League) rules mandate that each participate is physically cleared to participate in our program. Please be sure to discuss any medical issues (ie asthma, allergy to bee stings, etc.) with your Head Coach prior to the season starting.
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What is Certification?
Certification of all official rosters takes place after the second week of conditioning on August (8/14/10). All players will be weighed in and placed on the appropriate roster prior to this date by the association President and Player Agent (date TBD). The player is assigned to the correct team based on their age and weight and on the proper roster on this date. The CAYFL certification committee will certify all rosters on August 14th, 2010 at which time no additional player movement from team to team is allowed. If during the first two weeks of practice a player is found to not be within their division limits due to age and/or weight, then they will be moved to the appropriate division.
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What equipment must I supply?
You must supply acceptable football cleats and athletic supporter or acceptable sport girdle. Please see Football Equipment, under the Football tab
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Does my son or daughter have to return their equipment at the end of the season?
All equipment given to your son or daughter, except for their game jersey and spirit pack, must be returned, otherwise funds will not be released for year-end parties and trophies.
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What fees are involved?
There are two fees involved with DHYFA. The registration fee is standard for all Central Arizona Youth Football League (CAYFL) participants and is due at the time of registration. The Association Fee is set based upon the costs involved with operating our football and cheer programs (DHYFA Wolfpack). This Association Fee will be due on or before the Meet the Staff Night, July, 15th, 2010. These fees are used to offset the costs associated with uniforms, games and field costs. The association fee can be paid outright or there are 2 fundraisers that you can participate in to offset the cost of the association fee.
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What does my registration and association fees cover?
There are two fees involved with DHYFA. The registration fee is standard for all Central Arizona Youth Football League (CAYFL) participants and is due at the time of registration.
The Association Fee is set based upon the costs involved with operating our football and cheer programs (DHYFA Wolfpack). This association fee will be due on or before the Meet the Staff Night, July 15th, 2010. These fees are used to offset the costs associated with uniforms, games and field costs. The association fee can be paid outright or there are 2 fundraisers that you can participate in to offset the cost of the association fee.
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How can I make a donation to the program?
We have a sponsorship program designed to recognize individuals or businesses for donations. For more information please contact the Business Manager of your team.
Click here for the sponsorship form.
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How much volunteer time is expected from parents?
Each player’s family is expected to assist during game days: chain gang duty, field set up/take down, spotter duty, etc. A minimum of 5 hours per player is the norm for each season.
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Why must parents participate so much?
DHYFA is run exclusively by volunteers. All parents are expected to help out in some capacity.
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Can anyone be a Head Coach?
No. Anyone wishing to participate as a head coach is required to submit an application and successfully pass an interview conducted by the Board of Directors.
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Can I request a certain Coach or Team?
No. Individuals will be placed on a team according to their weight and age.
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What happens if my child misses practice?
If a child misses one or more practices during the week, they may have limited or no play time in that week’s game. This is a safety and commitment issue not only for your child, but for the rest of the team. However, each Head Coach sets their own policy and commitment on absences.
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Is it mandatory to fundraise?
Fundraising is done for DHYFA and for the individual teams. Any fundraising, outside of the DHYFA fundraiser, at the team level goes towards each team’s individual banquet at the end of the season. Each team’s Head Coach and Business manager decides how they want to fundraise for the individual team with board approval.
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Who can I talk to if I have a question about football registration?
Please contact us at president@deserthiglandsfootball.com.
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How are volunteers screened?
CAYFL rules dictate that all volunteers (coaches, team moms, and anyone who will have direct contact with the children) must pass a background check. These checks are run annually prior to the start of the season.
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I would like to view a copy of DHYFA's budget
We are a non-profit organization. Our budget is always available upon request. You can email the treasurer to request a copy @ treasurer@deserthighlandsfootball.com
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Who can I talk to if I have a complaint?
There are plenty of people who are willing to listen! Always start with your Head Coach. The Head Coach has the final authority on how his team is run provided that he is operating under the rules of the local Conference and Nationals. If you are unable to discuss the issue with your Head Coach, the Athletic and Assistant Athletic Directors can be contacted, as well as our Executive Board members (President, Vice President, Treasurer & Secretary). Their contact information is located on our website under the Staff tab.
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Association phone number: 623.780.1099
