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The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) are listed with answers to help our families better understand Spartan Football. Find your question and scroll down to that number on the page. If you have a question not answered here, please send an email to football@spartanyouthclub.com.
Any child aged 6 to 14 (Grades 1st through 8th), excluding high school students. Spartans are a 40-year-old Member Club of the Arapahoe Youth League (AYL) and as a result have a specific geographic territory that we serve. We service Aurora, East Centennial, and Unincorporated Arapahoe County. However, players from outside this territory can still play within the Spartans Football program but are subject to a few additional requirements. We have provided a map of Spartan territory on the General Information Tab. Should you wish to play Spartan Football, or you are unsure as to which Club Territory you live in, please contact one of the Spartan Football representatives.
Registration for Spartan Football begins by April 1st. All registrations must be completed using the on-line system. This allows our customers a more efficient registration process. Please click on the registration link beginning April 1st.
The Spartans are a member of the AYL, which has more than 250 teams participating in youth tackle football. Each club must define and commit by the end of June each year as to the number of teams by age and division that will participate in the league. This is required to allow time for the all-volunteer AYL Football Board to complete detailed plans for the season including game schedule, number of officials required, practice/game fields, etc. This also allows ample time for Spartans to place players on rosters and recruit additional coaches if necessary.
Regular practices begin August 1, 2024, teams will practice 2-4 days a week. Coaches will be allowed to contact players/parents on their rosters by early/mid-May to discuss practice schedules. Coaches may organize a once-a-week voluntary conditioning practice May 1st- late July. Not all coaches will participate in preseason conditioning. If a coach is not participating in preseason conditioning, expect them to be in contact with you early/mid-July, with season/practice information.
Regular season games will begin on a Saturday, August 24, 2024. The season is 8 games with the top teams in each age/division of play advancing to the playoffs. Playoffs and our season ending Super Bowl are completed by the weekend of November 2, 2024 (weather permitting). The season calendar varies year to year by as much as one-two weeks. It is best to review the current season calendar listed in the Football section of the Spartan website. We will update our dates as soon as we get them form AYL.
Spartans use an on-line registration process. This on-line system makes it far more efficient for parents and our organization. Credit cards are the preferred way to pay registration fees. Please click on the registration tab for your Childs age group on/after May 1st. Registrations are not considered complete, until full payment has been received and acknowledged.
The cost for Spartan Football can change year-to-year. Check the registration page for current season prices.
*Registrations received after June 30, 2024, will be placed on an as needed basis. *We reserve the right to close age groups earlier if teams are to capacity and another team cannot be formed.
The fee covers many items including (but not limited to):
*We reserve the right to change dates or cancel (if needed) any events, due to weather or other reasons out of our control.
Each individual player is responsible for his own equipment and uniform. The required uniform is a Spartan game Jersey AND game pant (both are REQIRED for games). The required equipment includes a football helmet (White Gloss with black face mask) (2024 season**returning players with purple helmets may continue to use these, new players or player in need of a new helmet should buy a white with black face mask), shoulder pads, football pants and/or football girdle w/ pants, practice jersey/shirt and a cleated shoe. Soccer cleats will work if you already have them. If purchasing a new cleated shoe please consider purchasing a Football cleated shoe, which has a better base specific for football action. Should you plan to purchase used equipment, particularly a helmet, please take the equipment to a reputable retailer to have the prospective purchase reviewed for safety.
Uniforms:
Game uniforms are the same style and vender from the 2023 football season.
Game Jersey and Game Pants are NOT included with the 2024 season registration.
You will purchase through our online store- open 24hours CLICK HERE - always verify jersey number with your coach prior to placing an order.
Game Jerseys need to be ordered by June 29, 2024, to guarantee size and player number. Orders after June 29, 2024, will be assigned numbers based off availability in size needed.
**Fittings for Game Uniforms will be held on May 29th and June 17th, 2024. Click HERE for more details.
Jersey prices: Game Jersey $70.00 and Game Pant $70.00 (2024 season)
Equipment can be purchased from:
**We recommend purchasing a football helmet as soon as possible, as there is a nationwide shortage.
Helmet and shoulder pads:
Spartans Xenith Team store - CLICK HERE
*Helmets and shoulder fitting pads will be held on May 29th and June 17th, 2024. Click HERE for more details.
All other equipment:
Dick's Sporting Goods - http://stores.dickssportinggoods.com
6305 S. Main St Unit
Play It Again Sports - http://www.playitagainsportsaurora.com/
18883 E Hampden Ave
Recycled Sports- non-profit equipment exchange www.recycledsports.org
A football player is assigned to a team based upon age and experience. Age is determined as of June 1st of the current year. We attempt to place a new player on a team with similar experience level. Then if there are multiple choices, we will try to match the new player with a team that has other players from the same school the new player attends or within the middle school feeder system. Priority for placement is based on the actual registration date and time from our on-line system. New players will not be added to teams until after the returning player deadline (refer to the registration or calendar page for specific date), this ensures roster are not over capacity.
New Spartan football players may request to play with a friend or a particular coach. This can be noted on the registration form. If a team preference is indicated on the registration, Spartans will endeavor to grant that preference however there are other factors such as team level of competitive play, specific team roster openings, etc., that affect placement.
Spartans Club evaluations are communicated to all Spartan Families through email. We also post these dates on our website and social media pages.
Returning players who are registered and paid in full by May 14 of the current year will automatically be assigned to the same team they played on the previous season. The player's jersey number used by that returning player will also be guaranteed if the registration is paid for by May 14 of the current year. Should a returning player fail to register and pay by May 14 of the current year, there is no guarantee that they will be placed on the same team's roster or given the same jersey number.
Should a returning player wish to change teams, for any reason, please contact the Spartan Football Director at football@spartanyouthclub.com. Please do this as soon as possible so we can advise and assist you in making the requested change. Please understand that a returning player that wishes to change teams must still register by May 14 of the current year. If your child is placed on a new team, you may need to purchase a new uniform, if their pervious roster number is not available.
Team size can vary depending on the number of kids registering to play. Spartans has target roster sizes, varying by competitive division of play to ensure the minimal financial requirements are met. Those roster size targets are 4th-8th Grade NFC - 20-24 players, and RFL - 12-14 players
During registration you will make a number request.
Returning players: must be registered and paid, no later than May 14 of the current year, to guarantee uniform number. This is only guaranteed if you are planning to return to the same coaches’ roster as last season. If you register and pay later than May 14 of the current year, you may have to buy a new jersey, if that number is no longer available.
New players: requested roster numbers of uniforms, will be considered and will be given if available.
The Spartans pay for practice field permits from Cherry Creek Schools, Arapahoe Parks & Rec. District, City of Aurora Parks & Rec., and Aurora Public Schools. Most teams will practice 2-3 (1st-5th) or 3-4 (6th and 8th) evenings during the week and one practice on Saturdays during the pre-season. The start and end time of practice is determined by the Head Coach and generally takes into account the Coach's work schedule as well as the school schedule our players are under.
The number of practices per week is regulated by the AYL Football Rules. The AYL allows up to four playing periods per week in pre-season up to and including the first game. All playing periods may include exercise and/or contact. Spartan coaches generally manage the weekly number of practices in accordance with their team's age. After the first game teams are allowed four playing periods, however one of these periods must be a team meeting or chalk talk. NFC teams are allowed a walk thru instead of a chalk talk. Playing periods consist of practice and games for each week.
The AYL regular season generally consists of eight games. Teams can qualify for post season playoffs. The number of games played during the playoffs can vary based upon the number of teams in an age division.
The AYL is comprised of Member Clubs establishing teams in the South Metro area communities of Littleton, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, SE Denver, Aurora, Parker, Elizabeth and Castle Rock. Games can be played in any of these locations at specific parks.
Regular season games are scheduled for Saturdays starting the end of August, with the earliest game at 8:30 or 9:00 AM and the latest game scheduled for 5:00 PM. On some fields we may have later games being played under the lights starting at 5:00 and 7:00 PM. Regular season games will be scheduled for the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. The regular season runs through the end of October/early November. Post season playoffs being immediately following the conclusion of the regular season and continue with the AYL Super Bowl that always is completed no later than the weekend before Thanksgiving. Please understand that games may be postponed by weather, field issues, or other problems resulting in game cancelations.
Games are typically rescheduled on Sunday the week following the cancelation, eight days later. Also, some playoff games may need to be scheduled on Sundays to be certain the entire playoff schedule can be completed prior to the mandatory end of the season.
The AYL will make every attempt to allow for four home games and four away games, there is no guarantee that your team will get four home games. The AYL contract with the officials states that we must schedule a minimum of three games at each field to be used on game days.
Football requires a significant preparation and practice as well as a strong commitment to the team. Family vacations during the season are highly discouraged. Depending on team rules, playing time may be impacted because of the time your player misses because of the vacation. You are encouraged to schedule your vacations prior to or after the season to avoid playing time impacts. If you must schedule a family vacation during the season, please inform your Head Coach as soon as possible to understand how your team may be impacted.
After the season starts, we have a no-refund policy. Registration fees are based on a variety of costs. These fees are determined by AYL player costs, permits, insurance etc. Due to our sports seasons accruing costs prior to the start of the season, we pay in advance for our players. Player withdrawals still result in an out-of-pocket cost to the Spartan Youth Club, so NO refund will be issued after the start of a season. No exceptions!
Anyone can apply to be a Head or Assistant Coach. All coaching candidates will go through a certification process. The process involves filling out an application, undergoing a CBI background check, and completing an interview with Spartan Football representatives. All Spartan Coaches are required to attend any mandated AYL Coaches Training sessions and are encouraged to attend local coaching clinics if they can as well.
All Spartan Coaches must complete the NFHS Concussion Training Course annually. We encourage parents to take the concussion course to become familiar with the signs and dangers of concussions. The course information can be found on the NFHS site: www.nfhs.org
Each team will need help with a variety of jobs throughout the season. Please communicate with your coach about helping with the chain crew, play counter, play auditor, team mom, etc.
Spartan Youth Club understands that occasionally, a player may need to withdraw from registration, due to unforeseen circumstances. Refunds must be made in writing and submitted to April at sportsadmin@spartanyouthclub.com. We can issue refunds requested prior to the start of a season (first regular season practice day of July 31, 2023), minus a $25.00 administrative fee. Any refund requested on or after July 31, 2023, is NON-REFUNDABLE. The Spartan Youth Club is a 501C3 nonprofit organization.