The Zephyr Youth Football Association is now a group on Facebook.  The ZYFA board will be using the Facebook group as well as www.zephyrfootball.com and email to communicate to ZYFA families.  Like the Zephyr Youth Football Association on Facebook!!!

Registration is offered online only through Mahtomedi Community Education.  Need-based financial assistance is available.  Registration for Tackle Football (3^rd-8^th grade) is available only to students residing in or attending a school in of Mahtomedi school district 832. 

• Dates:  May 1, 2012 through June 20, 2012
• Registration fee for Tackle (3^rd-8^th grade):  $150 per player
• CORRECTED MAY 9:  Family Discount for Tackle (3^rd-8^th grade):  $250 for 2 players, $325 for 3 or more
• Registration fee for Flag (K-3^rd grade):  $60.00 per player

• After June 20, 2012 the fee is $185.00 for Tackle (3^rd-8^th grade) and $60.00 for Flag (K-3^rd grade)
• After July 10, 2012 the fee is $200.00 for Tackle (3^rd-8^th grade) and $60.00 for Flag (K-3^rd grade)

All Tackle players must be weighed by ZYFA prior to being placed on a team, so that we can balance the teams and comply with league weight restrictions.  Weigh in takes place at the District Education Center.

• Wednesday June 20, 2012 from 5:00-8:00PM in the DEC gym tent
• Tuesday July 10 from 6:00-8:00PM in the DEC gym tent
• If you are unable to attend either of these Weigh In events, please contact the ZYFA Board to make other arrangements.

ZYFA tackle football teams in 3^rd through 6^th grade play games in the Metro East Youth Football League (MEYFL), with teams from Oakdale, North St. Paul, Upper East Side, Woodbury, and East Ridge.  ZYFA typically fields three teams at each grade level.  Players are allocated to these teams by coaches and the board to ensure balance in terms of numbers, skill, and size.  ZYFA encourages coaches within each grade level to work together collaboratively to develop football skills and good sportsmanship, while instilling pride in Zephyr football.

3^rd through 6^th grade teams will begin practices during the week of August 6, 2012, and most teams will play their first MEFYL league game on Saturday, August 25, 2012.  Games will primarily take place on Saturdays from August 25 to October 13, with practices and a limited number of games during the week.  3^rd-6th grade players can expect 3-4 football events per week for the duration of the season, and all practices and games are mandatory. Please be proactive in communicating with your coaches regarding any absences.

Questions about 3^rd-6^th grade program? Contact Devin Hall  dhall292@hotmail.com

ZYFA tackle football teams in 7^th and 8^th grade play games in the North Suburban football league, along with a large number of community-based teams in the North metro area.  North Suburban offers two programs, Unlimited Weight and Limited Weight.  Limited Weight teams are made up of players in 7^th and 8^th grade weighing no more than 130 pounds.  Unlimited Weight teams have no weight restriction and are made up of players within a single grade, 7^th or 8^th. 

Each of the past two seasons, ZYFA has fielded one 7^th/8^th Grade Limited Weight team and one or more Unlimited Weight team at each grade level.  After registration and weigh in, the ZYFA Board and coaches will meet to review the list of players registered and will determine the number of teams and which North Suburban program those teams will participate in.  The goal is to divide the 7^th and 8^th grade players into teams that are balanced in terms of numbers and skill to ensure a positive and competitive experience for all players.  ZYFA encourages coaches within each grade level to work together collaboratively to develop football skills and good sportsmanship, while instilling pride in Zephyr football.

7^th and 8^th grade teams will begin practice the week of August 13, 2012 and will play in North Suburban games beginning after Labor Day and running through late October.  7^th and 8^th grade players can expect 3-4 football events per week for the duration of the season, and all practices and games are mandatory. Please be proactive in communicating with your coaches regarding any absences.

Questions about the 7^th-8th grade program? Contact Chris Campbell at  cams328@comcast.net

ZYFA flag football players in Kindergarten through 3^rd grade play in a local, community based program.  Practices and games start after Labor Day and wrap up in early October.  ZYFA provides a jersey for the player to keep and coaches will have flag belts for use during games and practices.  Players are required to wear a mouth guard.

Questions about the Flag program? Contact Kelly Sellman at zephyrfootball@comcast.net

ZYFA provides each player with a football jersey.  Each player must provide the following required equipment, properly fitting, in good working condition to participate in Tackle football:

• White Helmet with face mask
• Shoulder pads
• Navy blue pants (hip, thigh, and knee pads built in or w/girdle)
• Rubber cleats (molded, not removable)
• Mouth guard (colored, attached to face mask)

 ZYFA has some used equipment and can assist families with financial need.  If you have questions or concerns about equipment for football, please contact the ZYFA Board

ZYFA is hosting a Back to Football event for Tackle and Flag players and parents on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 from 5:00-8:00 PM in the DEC gym tent.  The event extends the mandatory weigh in to include jersey fitting, used equipment exchange, and an opportunity to purchase new equipment, football apparel, and blue football pants.   June 20 is also the deadline for registration, so please mark your calendars.

If you are interested in coaching football at any level, please contact the ZYFA Board.  A key need is head coaches for 3^rd grade tackle football.  For all coaches, coaching applications will be available on the ZYFA website.