Last weekend, the Fleetwood Area High School football team canvassed local neighborhoods to address an ongoing shortage in youth football sign-ups at Fleetwood Area Youth Football and Cheerleading Association (FAYFCA). Steve Pangburn, the high school’s newest head football coach, led the charge.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our players to bond, refine their social skills, and work together to contribute to an important cause in our community,” Coach Pangburn explained.
This initiative responded to a steady decline in football sign-ups over the last couple of years. Additionally, FAYFCA’s board of directors voted to waive registration fees for March and April to encourage more sign-ups.
“We collectively decided to waive registration fees to give Fleetwood Area School District families the opportunity to experience an organization that children have been enjoying since 2003,” said Alexandria Peters, FAYFCA’s Board President.
“We understand that some families in our district are suffering financially. We don’t want to prohibit their children from this excellent opportunity to learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, and so much more.”
Along with his team, Coach Pangburn walked around various neighborhoods in Fleetwood Borough and Maidencreek Township to encourage youth ages 5 to 12 years old to sign up for the upcoming football season. With free registration in March and April, they wanted to make sure families had the chance to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
“The success of our football program depends almost solely on our ability to grow and develop our players. Luckily, we have an excellent opportunity to get a head start,” said Pangburn. “We’re taking this step to ensure our teams stay consistent and develop our youth into outstanding players, upstanding individuals, and productive community members.”
Besides the high school, other locals have decided to pitch in and help. Advanced Comfort Specialists, a heating, air conditioning, and commercial refrigeration business founded in Maidencreek Township, learned about the shortage and pitched in to help with recruitment activities.
“Youth sports, especially in a sport like football, is an incredible opportunity for youth to learn delicate values such as collaboration, sportsmanship, and self-discipline. That doesn’t even consider the possibility of a free or reduced-cost college education,” emphasized Gavin Milligan, Maidencreek Township resident and Advanced Comfort Specialists’ Director of Business Development.
If you’re interested in signing your child up for youth football or cheerleading, you can learn more or register online at fayfca.com. Registration ends May 31, 2022.
