According to many experts football is a sport that teaches young people many life skills that will benefit them in every area of endeavor, such as teamwork and good sportsmanship. In 2018 Winston County youth will have the opportunity to learn and compete against youth from surrounding counties, as part of the Winston County Bulldogs.
This past Thursday, officials of the Area Wide Youth Football Association Elite, along with school and elected officials, gathered on the front lawn of the Louisville City Hall for a ribbon-cutting ceremony inaugurating the Bulldogs into the league.
League teams compete in three different age brackets: 6-8, 9-10, and 11-12. Not only are team members expected to practice and play, there is also a focus on academics. Players must maintain at least a C average; if their grades drop below that is when team tutor Christina Young steps in.
Young stated that she would meet with the player’s teachers to get a full understanding of the problem areas. The student will still be expected to practice football, but will also be required to spend time with Young dealing with academics.
Chet Wilkes, Noxapater Attendance Center Principal, was very appreciative the focus on academics, and added that any program that teaches life skills, such as leadership, winning and losing, is important.
Noxapater Mayor Sammy Carter stated that oftentimes young people get interested in sports and allow academics to slip. He is appreciative that academics will be a big part of the program.
Part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony included presentation of game balls to Carter and Louisville Mayor Will Hill, in appreciation of their support of the league.
Bulldogs President Perry Young stated that there will be 60-70 youth, encompassing all three age groups; they will begin play in September, with home games played at Noxapater High School. Practices will be held in Louisville, at the soccer field at the corner of Ball Dr. and Ivy Ave.
Young stated that the biggest challenge is winning the confidence of the parents, and having them believe in the mission of the league. He added, “It’s getting a lot better. We’re getting a lot more response from the community, and that’s one of the purpose of what we’re doing today, is to raise the awareness of the community.”
