September 24th, 2008 CAFL Names 10 Schools For High School Football In 2010
Gerrino Saunders
The question has always been asked, why isn't there American football in local high schools? And the answer has always been because of a lack of funding to purchase equipment, uniforms and medical insurance. However, not until now have local football organizers been able to overcome those challenges. Earlier in the year the steering committee for the Commonwealth American Football League met with a number of high schools to discuss the strong possibility of beginning a high school football league with the support of international football giant equipment manufacturer Ridell.
According to CAFL committee member Mike Foster the meetings went well and they were able to establish 10 schools based on four main criteria including the schools overall population, the schools male population, parent-school-student relationship, and the ability of a school to manage a football club.
The 10 potential schools are CI Gibson, St. Augustine's College, RM Bailey, St. Andrews, CR Walker, Kingsway Academy, Government High School, Queens College, and Doris Johnson. Because neither met the full requirements St. John's College and St. Anne's decided to pool their resources and pay as a joint team instead of being left out.
On Friday, Foster said fundraising has been going very well because "there are a lot of people that want to see this happen for our young men in particular."
He said if their fundraising efforts go beyond the targeted amount they may consider adding two more schools to make the league a 12-team league with six schools in each division. The interest is there he said.
He said, the committee has already gotten over $100,000 in commitments and they are confident they would be able to raise the remainder of the cash. Foster noted that upon learning that a private sponsor had dedicated $50,000 to the cause, the Minister of Sports Desmond Bannister said his ministry would match that donation and will lend further assistance in the future.
However, the real key behind making the new high school league a success lies with the Ridell that has promised to also assist with the cost of insurance coverage for the players.
The new league will be built on the South Florida high schools football model, but instead of diving in head first the CAFL will allow the selected schools and coaches to play flag football during the 2009 season so that they can become more familiar with the intricacies of the game.
Players will also have to maintain an established grade point average to remain on the team. Foster said some schools have already begun to initiate training sessions for catching and playing defense in the open field.
In addition to the flag football season players and coaches will have to attend training camp in the summer of 2009.
The challenge is now to raise $100,000 for each school to have each team equipped with insurance, equipment (shoulder pads, helmets, cleats, etc), and practice and game uniforms for player and coaches.
The CAFL is hopeful that the new football field at the Dame Doris Johnson High School is completed and ready for play in 2010. Currently local American football is played at the DW Davis Playing field but has also been played at Windsor Park and at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium.
Financial Advisor Ken Kerr, will be Chairman of the new league that will be named the Inter-Scholastic American Football League. Legendary track and field star and avid football fan Tommy Robinson also agreed to assist the new league where and when he can.
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- Austin DWI - New York DWI