• 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.

• Are there tryouts?
  

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

• How long is the season?
  

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.

• How often is practice?

 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!

• Are coaches trained?
  

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.