- What football league do the Grizzlies belong to?
Grizzlies Football is a member of The Chicago Youth Football League (TCYFL), which is the largest independent youth tackle football league in the United States.
- What cheer organization do the Grizzlies belong?
Grizzlies Cheer is a member of Illinois Recreational Cheer Association (IRCA), which is one of the most recognized cheer organizations in the area.
No! We welcome athletes of all skill levels to join our football and cheer teams.
- What team will my athlete be on?
Teams are largely determined by the athlete’s age and, in the case of football, weight. The TCYFL age/weight matrix can be found here. If a parent has any concern about team their child is placed on, coaches are always available and willing to discuss the concerns. As always, safety is our number one concern!
- What is included in registration cost?
For Football, registration includes a personalized jersey and two pairs of game day socks that players will keep at the end of the season. We also provide a football helmet, shoulder pads, padded game pants, and practice jersey.
For Cheer, registration includes cheer uniform, which includes spanks, shoes, and bows, and registration to IRCA competitions.
- What additional items are families responsible for?
Football families are responsible for providing cleats, padded practice pants, and mouth guard(s).
Cheer families are responsible for
After Camp, all teams will start practice at the end of July.
Games for the regular football season is 9 weeks, one of which might be a bye week. There is one game a week, on either Saturday or Sunday, as determined by TCYFL. Typically Week 1 is the last full weekend of August with Week 9 falling in mid-October. Playoff games are held over the following two weekends and Super Bowl is held in mid-November.
The Cheer season runs in parallel with the football season. However, the season may be longer if teams receive bids to the IRCA State Competition, which is usually early December.
Football will begin practices at the end of July. Practices will be 4 nights a week for approximately 2 hours each night until the first game. After the first game, teams will practice 3 nights a week for approximately 2 hours. All practices are held outdoors, unless weather conditions are dangerous.
Cheer also beings practices at the end of July. Squads will practice 2 nights a week for approximately 1.5 hours each practice. Additional mat practices may be added in the week leading up to a competition. During July and most of August, practices are held outdoors. After that, practices are held indoors.
- Where is are practices and home games held?
Practices and home games are played on our home field at Gilberts Elementary School
- Where are away games and/or cheer competitions?
Both away games and cheer competitions are within the Chicagoland area, typically within an hour’s drive and some location much closer!
Yes! All of our football coaches are trained and certified through USA Football.
- Are trainers present at games?
Yes! A trained athletic training is present at all home and away games.