Spring Football Program

2021 Spring Football General Information & Registration

Registration Central

REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 1ST FOR 2021!!!!

Please be safe and continue to follow the COVID-19 CDC mandated guidelines.

RFL Pricing for 2021

• Intermediate & MSFL  $265
• Pee Wee                          $265
• Pony                                $180
• Ankle Biter                     $150

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  About Practice & Registration

• New families to the RFL often ask about location and dates of practice.  This is a team specific issue.  All teams practice within the Rockville/Potomac/Bethesda area.  Please see Franchises for more information.  Schedules and game days are also outlined in this area.

• If you are a Returning Player and the team you played for last year or the team you are supposed to move up to is full there is now a Waiting List Option.  This also applies to New Players who request a team that is full.  We will place New Players on the Waiting List if they request a team that is full.

• Volunteer Program Opt Out Fee: $100 The RFL is a non-profit and all Board Members are unpaid volunteers. We count on our families to help in making the RFL one of the best youth football leagues in the State of Maryland. All parents are expected to sign up and be a working volunteer on one of our many volunteer committees. This is a great way to become a part of the RFL Tradition and to meet other parents. If you decide to not volunteer, you are required to pay this fee each season. There are 2 options......1- You will have the option to use Sign-Up Genius when registering and select a category to volunteer or 2- Select Opt Out and $100 will be added to your registration fee.

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  Medical Waivers

• Waivers for medical reasons must be initiated by a letter from a physician stating the medical condition that requires the request.  Size and/or age in of itself will not qualify for a Waiver:  RFL MEDICAL WAIVER FORM 2016.pdf

• Team Waivers (Due to the COVID-19 situation, no team waivers will be accepted for the 2021 season)
  
  RFL Waiver Forms must be submitted to apply for a player transfer from one team to another. Players must register for the team that they have played for in past years before applying for a waiver. All waiver forms must be submitted before June 15th.
  
  Waivers to move to a different team will only be approved if the General Managers of both organizations and the Commissioner agree or if a player was assigned to a team other than the one requested because it was full or merged into the previous season due to roster space. The waiver will then be submitted to the RFL Executive Committee for final approval. To have a Waiver considered you must first register for the team you are supposed to play on and then follow the instructions for submitting Waiver Requests.
  
  Instructions - Fill out the form below and email to the commissioner of the division you will be playing in for this season.  RFL TEAM WAIVER FORM 2016.pdf

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• The Registration Fee Refunds and Discounts.

• Refunds: The League Fee, City Cost Recovery Fee, Registration Process Fee and Credit Card or PayPal Fee is in one lump sum.  100% refunds less the Processing Fee and Credit Card or PayPal fee ($25.00) will be issued.

(In the event that the RFL is not permitted to play tackle or flag football in 2021 the entire registration fee will be refunded)

Camp Director Andy Stefanelli pictured with his brother Guy and We Hit campers and Bears, brothers Kellen and Devin Fraser.

Picture shared by Bethany Fraser

             “We Hit” Contact Football Camp 2020

Designed to teach and reinforce the latest techniques to make football a safer game !!!!       

Due to COVID-19 we are still awaiting decisions and guidelines on Summer and Fall sports. In the event that we are not permitted to have Camp in June, we are looking at a July date if circumstances allow. If the June or July dates are not allowed we will refund all registered campers.    

                Now Registering at www.rfl.cc!

When: June 22-June 25 5:30-8:00 each evening.

             July Camp Date Pending

Where: Mattie Stepanek Park in King Farm ( Home of the RFL ) 

              1800 Piccard Dr. Rockville, Md. 20850

What: A premier contact football camp directed by Good Counsel Varsity Head

Coach Andy Stefanelli and staffed by area high school coaches. Also , featuring many of the area’s top High School and College players as camp counselors.

Program: Emphasis will be on age appropriate fundamentals, techniques and advanced skills for those with experience. Daily speakers will promote attention to school, sportsmanship, character and winning attitude.

Equipment: Camp will provide helmet, shoulder pads, mouth guards and practice jersey. Campers will provide football pants, pads and cleats.

Amenities: Snack bar will be open nightly, including grilled burgers and hotdogs. Mattie has plentiful parking and great seating for families to watch the fun.

Fees $325  - plus $40 equipment rental fee (if needed) for non RFL players. Registered RFL players do not pay to rent equipment and may keep the equipment for the upcoming season.

Team and Group discounts available !!!!

More Info: Email “We Hit” Camp Administrator Guy Stefanelli @ guystefanelli@comcast.net or Camp Director Andy Stefanelli @

7 Awesome Reasons Why Kids Should Play Football

Here are 7 Awesome Reasons Why Kids Should Play Football

Here’s a summary of  7 awesome reasons why kids should play football. Take these benefits as a way to recruit kids in your community and educate parents on the benefits that come from participating in youth football.

Here is why kids should play youth football:

1> It’s Fun. Having fun is what youth football is all about. Yes, it is possible to have fun even if you are having a losing season. It always starts at practice. Coaches should focus on making practices fun. Throw in a fun activity or two during the practice week to change things up. This will allow kids to enjoy themselves and it will keep them interested in the sport. Competitive, up-tempo, organized, and enthusiastic practices will keep kids interested.

2> Develop New Skills. Playing youth football requires children to communicate with both teammates and their coaches.  Teamwork is probably the most important skill that is learned by playing football. Teamwork is a trait that these kids will need to carry into teen and adulthood. Youth football will also assist in the development of social skills, which is necessary to be successful in not just football, but in life as well.

3> Making Friends.  Playing youth football will allow kids to make new friends.  Playing football will help develop team chemistry and a sense of brotherhood. These friendships can last for a lifetime. Also, for the most part, they will be making friends that are also on the right path.

4> Develop Competitiveness. Life is about competition- whether it is playing a team sport or applying for a job. Nothing is given to you in life so it is important that kids learn how to work hard and compete for everything.  Set goals and work competitively towards them is what youth football should be all about. Kids need to learn to always compete and set high goals for themselves. When I say “competitiveness”, I do not mean “winning at all costs”. It’s all about effort.

5> Become Physically Fit. Football will require kids to take part in physical fitness. Our country’s obesity rate is at alarming levels. This is primarily because of poor nutrition (fast foods) and the growing interests and developments of video games.  Kids play video games, but the kids that are addicted to them are the ones that rather stay inside on a nice day and play games. If it is a nice day, kids should be outside playing.  Kids need to stay active and participate in sports and recreation. Football is a physically demanding sport that will have the kids exorcising every practice and game. There is no other sport that teaches physical fitness better than football. 

6> Keep Children Busy (and out of trouble). Playing sports will help keep kids busy after school.  Participating in youth sports and recreational activities will help keep the kids busy and out of trouble. It will keep kids in a controlled, structured, and positive environment.  It will also get the kids in good physical condition and it will keep them away from those unproductive 6 hour long video game sessions. Keeping kids busy and out of trouble is one of the best reasons why kids should play youth football. No other sport will require more commitment and DISCIPLINE.

7> Safer Game. The game of football has never been safer. Coaches are now required to take various safety classes on proper tackling and blocking techniques. Many leagues also implemented rules that don’t allow teams to do live tackling for more than 1/3 of the practice. There are also certain stupid ‘old school’ football drills that are now banned. The evolution of equipment also makes the game much safer. Equipment is getting better. Coaches are becoming more educated.  The perception of concussions in football is exaggerated. Many times people compare the NFL to youth football, which is absolutely ridiculous. The ‘old school’ win and hit at all costs is dying out. The younger more educated coaches are beginning to take over.

RFL & USA FOOTBALL - WHAT IS HEADS UP FOOTBALL?

Heads Up Football^® is a comprehensive program developed by USA Football to advance player safety in the game of football.

All RFL Coaches are USA Football Heads Up Certified

Education Components

• Concussion Recognition & Response
• Heat Preparedness & Hydration
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest
• Proper Equipment Fitting
• Heads Up Tackling^®
• Heads Up Blocking

Watch the YouTube video below to learn more about USA Football and your RFL Coaches

USA FOOTBALL VIDEO

Guy Stefanelli - RFL - USA Football Player Safety Coach (PSC)

Find the RFL on Facebook at “Rockville Football League-RFL”

https://www.facebook.com/RockvilleFootballRFL

RFL FAMILIES - THIS IS A "MUST READ" ARTICLE.

Our mission is to promote the advantages of playing youth football!!!!!!!!!

http://footballscoop.com/news/john-harbaugh-pens-powerful-article-on-why-football-matters/

RFL INCLEMENT WEATHER HOTLINE 240-314-5055