Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Gresham Youth Football Association (GYFA)?
GYFA is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the development of tackle football skills for our Gresham area student athletes. We have chosen the Tualatin Valley Youth Football League to focus on competing with our local Mt. Hood Conference youth football associations from Barlow, Centennial, David Douglas, Sandy, Reynolds, Estacada and Colton. We welcome students entering the 3rd through 6th grade in fall of 2007 who reside in the Gresham High School boundary area. We want to establish ourselves as a program to enhance our middle school and high school programs. Our home field is the artificial turf field at Gresham High School for Saturday games. Our staff will be working with the GHS Varsity Head Football Coach (Mike Allison) to acquaint the young athletes through practice, football camps and coaching clinics with an emphasis on common terminology, West Coast offense and defensive formations throughout their athletic years in the Gresham School District.
What is the Tualatin Valley Youth Football League (TVYFL)?
TVYFL is the organization that coordinates the play between 33 individual youth football associations in the Portland tri-county area. They provide the rules, the schedules and the officials for the approximately 230 teams and 5,000 players. For more information, see the TVYFL website: www.tvyfl.org
What is the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)?
The NFHS is the authoritative body for the rules used by the TVYFL. For more information, see the NFHS website.
What is the time commitment for players and parents?
Compared to most other youth sports, a lot! There are up to ten hours of practice per week (6pm-8pm)before Labor Day weekend starting August 1st of this season, dropping to six hours per week after Labor Day usually from 5:30-7:30pm. Game days are on Saturdays from 10am-6pm for 8 weeks, than 1-2 weeks of playoffs if you qualify.
Who can participate?
Any child entering grades 3rd through 6th in Fall of 2007 who lives in, or attends East/West/North Gresham, Hollydale, Highland and Hogan Cedars grade schools, are private or home schooled, in the GHS boundaries, as defined by the Gresham-Barlow School District attendance area.
What if I'm outside of Gresham High School boundaries?
If you live in any area that is not served by a TVYFL association, you would be more then welcome in GYFA! Please go to the TVYFL website to find if a TVYFL association is in your high school area. Boundary and transfer waivers can be applied for via association and division presidents.
Can girls play?
Yes. To date, we had one girl on the 5th/6th grade team last year who intends to play middle school football in 2006!
I have a medical condition or disability. Can I still play?
Probably, if your doctor is willing to sign your medical release and you are willing to work hard and play your best, you can generally have a positive football experience.
Do I have to start playing in the 3rd grade?
No. We have successful first time players at every grade level.