Jefferson Park Director Colton Green has been involved with youth athletics for a number of years, and has had the opportunity to see little league football flourish into a mega sport that youngsters have so much passion for.
Similarly to the National Football League, little league football has become more competitive, and Green, who is also the commissioner of the North Georgia Youth Football Association, says that sports had catapulted past what used to be America?s favorite sport.
?The game has changed tremendously in the last five years, much less the last 25 years. It has always been competitive to a degree but football at the recreational level in the State of Georgia [it] is viewed as a ?feeder? for each park?s high school,? said Green. ?If you look at the NGYFA, it is set up on the GHSA model where every park has clear district lines and all players are held accountable to participate where they live or attend school.?
?The level of play has climbed considerably in the last five years. The X?s and O?x change as the game does on a national level, however, the sport has grown to a nearly a five-month season and many parks offer flag versions in the spring. It has undoubtedly leaped baseball in terms of being America?s pastime,? said Green.
Not only have changes been made on the field, but the level of education amongst the coaches has grown tremendously. Programs have been put in place in order to help instructors teach the game in a way that is more safe and effective.
?The NFL has made tremendous strides in investing in the next generation of athletes and coaches. Their arm is USA Football. [You can visit usafootball.com for more information],? said Green.
One common concern among all sports is injuries, but luckily, the athletes at this age are not undergoing traumatic wounds that we see on the high school, collegiate or professional level.
?The injuries that occur at this level are the freak accident. They may land awkward on their arm, but it?s very rare that a concussion occurs,? said Green.
Some of the world?s most greatest athletes have been training in their respective sport since they were kids, and have years of experience and talent that can only come with a lot of hard work and dedication.
Football is a sport that teaches athletes to be prepared for lessons on and off the field, and can have a very positive effect if taught early on.
?The benefits of jumping into football early far outweigh any potential attrition associated with early participation. While most recreational sports aren?t ?lifetime sports? (the way that tennis, golf and swimming are), they still do a tremendous job of acclimating kids socially and instilling many of the values that they must learn before reaching adulthood. Some of those values are perseverance, teamwork and the fact that hard work will not hurt you,? said Green.
?Football is the ultimate team sport in that it takes 11 players to accomplish the goal. In every other sport, a dominant athlete can overcome the weakness of others. In football, a dominant athlete still needs his teammates. The social affiliation of football is powerful?game jerseys on Fridays?pushing yourself to the brink with a group of other boys and knowing that you can count on each other,? said Green.
Just like Jackson County Comprehensive and Jefferson High School, the Jefferson Recreation League has developed a few rivalries, and the war between the two is always a must see matchup.
?When they get to 10, 11 and 12 years old they begin to understand the actual dynamics of a rivalry. This year?s 12U group is focused on Union and Chestatee. This year?s 11U group is focused on Rabun. This year?s 10U group is focused on Jackson,? said Green.
?Any consistently strong park or school always attracts rivals because people enjoy playing well ran and competitive teams. Some of our rivals are Commerce, Jackson County, Dawson County, Union County and Rabun County. I may not speak for everyone but a loss to any of those other than Jackson is tough. A loss to Jackson is unlike anything else,? said Green.
The Jefferson leagues will compete in eight games each this season. Check out jeffersonrec.com for information including coaches, schedules and more.
Source: http://clickthepaper2.com/2012/08/31/youngsters-hit-the-big-leagues/
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