Our Mission Statement
“Our program will build character development through the disciplines found in sports, which include respect for coaches, teammates and our opponents. In addition, the values of honesty, commitment, work ethic, sportsmanship, pride and integrity will also be guiding principles. These values are the essence of successful sport teams and serve as the basis for success in all of life's endeavors. These principles will not only develop good sport players, but better students, and most importantly great individuals.”
Welcome
Thank you for registering your son and/or daughter for the upcoming season. The following information is intended to answer potential questions and to acquaint you with The Mallard Creek Hokies. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to email us at
The Mallard Creek Hokies are proud members of the Greater Charlotte American Youth Football (GCAYF) which is a member of the American Youth Football Association (AYF). GCAYF is the most competitive and diverse football and cheer association in the area and AYF is the fastest growing youth football organization in the Country.
Registration Fees
The Mallard Creek Hokies have one of the lowest registration fees in the area. The Mallard Creek Hokies, GCAYF and AYF make every effort to keep costs at a minimum in order to be more inclusive, diverse and to grow the game of football. The registration fee is $200.00 for football and $180.00 for cheer with. Registration fees can be paid by money order or cash or online @ sports.blusombrero.com/mchokies. The registration fees cover our costs of uniforms, equipment, field use, insurance, AYF association dues and referees. Registration fees are nonrefundable!
Coaches Certification
The Mallard Creek Hokies Youth Organization Board of Directors selects coaches. Parents interested in applying to coach should complete an application form at the time of player registration. Head coaches must complete and pass the AYF Coaches certification. All coaches are expected to comply with the GCYAA/AYF Coaches Code of Conduct. All of our coaches are ‘Heads up certified” and attend annual trainigs.
GCAYF Age/Weight Requirements/Divisions of Play
Tiny Mite (7 and under) 90 pounds max weight
Mitey Mite(9 and under) 105 pounds max weight
Junior Pee Wee (10 and under) 9, 10 – 119 pounds max weight, 11 OBL 99 pounds max weight
Pee Wee (11and under) 10, 11 – 134 pounds max weight, 12 OBL 114 pounds max weight
Jr. Midget (12 and under) 11, 12 - 149 pounds max weight, 13 OBL 129 pounds max weight
*OBL – Older But Lighter
**August 01, is the cutoff date to determine age for division of play registration requirements. Unlike other leagues, player’s weights are not increased each week. Whatever a player weighs in at during certification, he plays at all year. Players weigh in as a team before EVERY game. If a player misses pre-game weigh-in he cannot play in the game.
GCAYF/AYF understands that kids are bigger today and works hard to make Youth Football ALL-INCLUSIVE by not excluding participants based on superficial factors (such as weight).
GCAYF enforces the both weight and age requirements. Should you have any questions regarding which division is best for your son, we will be happy to discuss it with you. We understand that all kids develop and different paces and weight is not always the best determining factor.
Certification Weigh-In
In August, every player on every team must be weighed and DOB verified to be eligible to play GCAYF/AYF football. Failing to attend the weigh-in or failing to make the required weight or age requirements at the certification weigh-in makes the player ineligible to participate in the season. Certification is a mandatory event.
Volunteers
The Mallard Creek Hokies Youth Football Association is a volunteer non-profit organization. We depend on family volunteers to help keep our registration fees low. We have numerous opportunities to volunteer and ask that each family find time to give back to our association to ensure a great program for our children. Certain volunteer positions are required to complete a volunteer application in order for a background check to be conducted.
Fundraising
Fundraising is another tool that enables us to keep our registration fees low. We solicit sponsors, use the proceeds from concessions and the gate and normally do one or two organizational fundraising events each year. The fundraising proceeds help pay for refurbishing equipment, purchasing new equipment, funding our financial assistance program, paying for game and practice fields, paying referees and other operational expenses. Due to our low registration fee, it is mandatory that each participant participate in at least one of our fundraising events and that each player will be expected to complete $45.00 of fundraising. There will also be prizes for kids who raise the most money.
Parents Code of Conduct
Parents will also be required to sign a Parents Code of Conduct. We want football and cheer to be fun for the kids and the coaches that graciously volunteer their time. Without coaches, there are no football or cheer teams. These ladies and gentlemen volunteer their time to teach your son football and your daughter cheer and we need to show our appreciation for their efforts by not screaming at them and/or berating them. Let the coaching staff coach! Parents with questions or concerns may discuss the matter with the coach or head coach after practice or after a game. It is never appropriate to do so during a game or in front of the kids!
Equipment
The Mallard Creek Hokies provide game jerseys (with player’s names) and pants, shoulder pads, chin strap and a helmet. Players must provide their own practice pants, practice jersey, football cleats and athletic supporter/ cup. As a non-profit organization, we must reuse the equipment from season to season to keep our costs low. We expect participants to respect our equipment and return it in the same condition that it was issued to them. Please do not alter the loaned equipment in any way. If a player chooses to wear equipment not provided by our organization, we are not permitted to file an insurance claim for that player. Players must wear Hokies issued equipment to be covered by our insurance.
The following items remain the property of Mallard Creek Hokies. Parents are responsible for their return at season’s end. If these items are not turned in, here is the cost per item owed to the organization.
Helmet……………… $85.00
Shoulder Pads…… $45.00
Game Uniform….. $65.00
Chin Strap…………. $5.00
------Totaling $200.00
Practice Locations and Schedules
Our season starts in July. Practices begin the 1st week in July and are on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays until the games begin. Practices are located in the University & Mallard Creek area, and with the exception of the Saturday practices, they are held in the evenings and last for approximately 2 hours.
All players are required by GCAYF/AYF to have completed ten (10) hours of conditioning practice prior to putting on pads. Conditioning must be done as a team in front of team coaches. Because of this rule, we encourage families to take family vacations prior to August. Not having all players at practice hurts the team. There are three practices each week for all age groups (until games begin) and practice ends no later than 8:30PM.
Game Locations and Schedules
Tiny Mite and Mitey Mite games consist of 4 quarters that are 8 minutes each. Score is kept and there is overtime in case of a tie. Additionally, one coach remains on the field with the team at all times to “herd” the players in and out of the huddle and provide last minute instructions. This is competitive tackle football played on a regulation size field. All other levels of play consist of four quarters that are 10 minutes each. Score is kept and North CarolinaHigh School rules govern the game. Coaches must remain on the sideline in these levels. Competition in GCAYF is intense, serious football. GCAYF and AYF have “must play” requirements for each playing level. Every player is given the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to his team in every game. However, it does not mandate equal playing time across the board. Please keep in mind that skill levels vary and we do not want to discourage or embarrass kids. Often parent’s expectations of playing time differ from those of the kids actually practicing and playing. Parents are not permitted on the field unless they are volunteering. Spectators are expected to remain in designated areas for both home and away games; and not in areas designed for players, coaches, & officials.
Scheduling
All scheduling completed by GCAYF. All teams at all divisions have a chance to make the playoffs, depending on final season rankings. GCAYF Champions will have the opportunity to play for the AYF State Championships and then National Championships in Orlando, Florida.
League Pictures
Team and individual pictures opportunities are available. Days, times, and locations are announced during the season. You are under no obligation to purchase photos but, we ask that you participate in team photo for the sake of your teammates.
Inclement Weather
Practice is conducted rain or shine depending upon practice field conditions. In the event of lightening, practice is suspended until the storm passes. Games will be played unless field conditions are determined to be unsafe for play. Please check our website: sports.bluesombrero.com/mchokies, facebook/mchokies or find us on twitter. We will update it prior to practice and games regarding cancellations or postponements.
Heat/Hydration
Coaches monitor participants closely to prevent heat-related problems. An attempt is made to provide ice water at all practice fields but in some instances this might not be possible due to field location. Therefore, we encourage participants to bring water or sport drinks to practice and games. During periods of high heat and humidity, we encourage participants to hydrate throughout the day. If proper precautions are followed away from the practice field, there is a much lower likelihood of problems on the practice field. Throughout the season ourwebsite: sports.bluesombrero.com/mchokies, facebook/mchokies will be updated with both league and team information. Please refer to our site for general information, inclement weather, schedules, field information, (maps & directions) and calendar of events.
Team Store
Please visit our Team Store ( for the latest Hokies’ Team Gear. Proceeds from your purchases go to support our association and our players.
We welcome you to The Mallard Creek Hokies Youth Organization and look forward to coaching your son and/or daughter. We put an emphasis on fun and teaching the game of football as it should be played. Please keep in mind that GCYAA/AYF is the most athletically competitive league in our area and the weekly competition is intense.
Should you have any additional questions, please check our website or email us.
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