2024 WYBC Flag Football Program

Overview

In 2024 WYBC will again participate in the YCJFA Youth Flag Football Program with teams being assigned and commencing practices in March and games commencing in April. Games will be played 5-on-5 and will last approximately 1 hour (2-20 minute halves with halftime and limited clock stoppage). We expect practices to be 2 weeknights per week for an hour each practice, with games on Saturdays or Sundays. Final practice schedules will be distributed once teams have been assigned, and game schedules will come out from the league in late March.

Eligible Players

The Flag Football Program is open to boys and girls who are age 5-14 as of January 1, 2024, and who meet one of the following residence criteria:

1. Currently reside in the West York Area School District; or
2.  Do not reside in WYASD, but WYBC is the closest participating program to the player’s home (for example, players residing in Spring Grove are eligible to participate with WYBC). The other participating programs at this time are Dover, and Northeastern York (additional programs may be added throughout the winter months and this list will be updated).

Any questions regarding eligibility for a specific player should contact James Welch prior to completing registration.

Timeline

• January 1 - Registration Opens
• March 8 -Last Day to Register
• March 9 - Player Evaluation Combine
• March 10 - Team Draft (Coaches Only) and Team Announcements
• Weeks of March 11 & 18 - Practices Begin
• Weekend of April 6 & 7 - Regular Season Starts
• Early June - Playoffs and Championships
  

Costs

Registration fee is $125.00 per player. The registration fee includes the player's personalized jersey with name and number for them to keep. For families with multiple players, there is a $10 off discount for siblings, which should be automatically applied at checkout. 

Team Information

Teams will be fielded in each of the following age divisions:

• 6U - Players ages 5 and 6 as of January 1, 2024
• 8U - Players ages 7 and 8 as of January 1, 2024
• 10U - Players ages 9 and 10 as of January 1, 2024
• 12U - Players ages 11 and 12 as of January 1, 2024
• 14U - Players ages 13 and 14 as of January 1, 2024
  

At all age levels, players will be evaluated via our combine to provide coaches with as much information as possible when selecting their teams. All players should plan to attend the combine. Failure to attend the combine does not mean your player cannot participate, but it may impact their team assignment as the player will be assigned based solely on whatever information available at the time. Following the combine, WYBC will draft individual teams, with teams at each level being drafted with the intent of having balanced teams within each age level and division. Players may not request to be paired together and no requests for assignment to a specific team or coach will be honored. Other than siblings wishing to play on the same team, there will be absolutely no exceptions to this policy.

Coaching Information

Each team will be assigned a Head Coach and, to the extent volunteers are available, an Assistant Coach.  Individuals wishing to volunteer as Head or Assistant Coaches should identify that during the registration process along with the division or divisions they are interested in coaching.  Once the number of teams being fielded in a division is determined, Head Coaches will be selected by WYBC prior to team assignment of players to ensure each Head Coach is paired with their child and assistant coaches will be assigned after teams are separated, to the extent possible.

If you would like to volunteer to coach a team other than your child’s, that is absolutely allowed, just please reach out to James Welch directly so we can coordinate it during team assignment.

My child plays another spring sport but is interested in flag football, can they do both?

Of course! We encourage players to participate in as many sports as possible. The Spring Flag Football program is a much less significant time commitment that tackle football, with practices 2x per week for approximately 1 hour and 1 game per weekend. As a result, it is very possible to participate in flag football while also playing baseball, basketball, soccer or lacrosse whose primary seasons are in the spring.  

My child has never played football before, is this program right for them?

Absolutely! Flag football is a great introduction to football and our program is open for boys and girls of all skill and development levels.    

My child lives outside of the West York Area School District, may they still participate in your program?

Our league does have jurisdictional rules to maximize opportunities for players to participate with their friends and classmates. We encourage children from nearby school districts that do not participate in our league (but for whom WY is the closest program) to sign up and play with us. Currently this would include: Spring Grove SD, York Suburban SD and York City SD. Players from other school districts are also welcome and encouraged to come out and play with us, but please reach out to James Welch directly before registering to ensure that we’re the most convenient program for you to sign up with.

How long is the season?

Our regular season is 6-8 games starting April 1, with no games being played on Easter and Memorial Day weekends. After the regular season ends, there will be two weekends of Playoffs and Championships (the first two weekends in June). 

What equipment is needed?

Flag football is non-contact so equipment is minimal. Customized jerseys and shorts along with flags are provided as part of your registration costs so the only equipment needed is a pair of cleats and a great attitude! 

Where will practices and games be located?

Practices and all home games will be located at West York High School, or at one of the parks in West Manchester Township. Teams will also have some away games played at other participating programs in York County. Game schedules will be released after practices start and once each program has a final number of teams participating at each level.  

What does my registration cost cover?

Registration fees cover the individual players custom uniform (approximately $50 per player) as well as the majority of the program costs for the season. Overall program costs include things like:

• Player Jerseys:$6,000 - $8,000
• Referees: $2,500 - $3,500
• Field Equipment and Paint: $500 - $1,000
• Flags and Footballs: $1,500 - $2,000
• Insurance: $500

These and other costs for the flag football program are met through our registration fees as well as through our spring fundraiser (R&K Subs last year) and our snack bar.  Fundraising through the spring flag program also supports our fall tackle program.