Dear Raider Nation:
First of all, THANK YOU for signing your child up for Raider Football. We had a great inaugural season last year and finished very strongly. I was completely impressed with our players, cheer leaders, volunteers and parents. What a great group of people! We all had a lot of fun and the kids really improved with each game. I can promise you all, the Raiders will be very competitive this year. I have had a lot of inquires into season specifics so I wanted to this informational email out before the school year ends. What follows is what every Raider parent needs to know about the upcoming year. For those of you returning, please take the time to read as there have been some changes for the coming year.
PHILOSOPHY
Football is big commitment. It does take a lot of time. However, you will never have more fun than watching your child run onto the field in his uniform all excited and ready to play in the big game. More importantly, your child will have a great time. The Raiders are about the kids. We don't live vicariously through our kids, we are focused on them. We want to make sure they understand a very simple philosophy I call "ETF". Effort, Teamwork, FUN. It's pretty simple. We ask that the kids give 100% and put their best effort forward on the field and in the classroom as well. Football isn't easy but the rewards are well worth it. We know it is hot in the summer and we make sure the kids stay hydrated at all times. That doesn't mean goof-off time, it means they are expected to work hard and leave it all on the field but to stay safe and healthy in doing so. It is good for them to learn this for football but more importantly for life. We want to help mold better people, not just athlete's. We seriously stress the need to be a great teammate. What does that mean exactly? We, as coaches, show respect to the players, the players are expected to show respect for each other and we always respect our opponents and the officials. We do not allow any negative comments or overly aggressive behavior or bad language to be directed towards one another or the opposition. Football is a contact sport and our kids hit hard. We love that. We just don't tolerate cheap play, bad language or un-sportsmanlike conduct. We want to hit hard, within the rules. If the kids work hard, give maximum effort and work together as a unit and support one another, well, the fun just comes naturally. If you talk to our returning players and their parents, I trust they will support these statements.
PAPERWORK
Liz Pendexter and Joanne Coutu (our co-Secretaries) had me send a reminder earlier today about what is required before your child can take the field. We can not allow anyone on the field without completed paperwork, ESPECIALLY, the Doctor's Form which he/she MUST sign. This is page #2 of your Medical Form. Please get this to Liz ASAP! New Hampshire Pop Warner is very strict about getting our paperwork in on time. Payment is also important. Football isn't cheap and your registration fees do not cover the equipment costs. Please make sure that you are paid up unless you have made alternate arrangements with me.
PRACTICE
The first day of practice is Monday, August 2. Throughout the month of August, we will practice Monday - Thursday, 530pm to 8pm. The first week is pure conditioning with only helmets and shorts. The rest of the month the players will be participating in full pads for full contact practices. This practice schedule will remain within this time-line up until the first game. Practices are rain or shine. The only weather condition where practices are called is lightning.
Our practice field is at 33 Hobbs Road. This field is privately owned. For those of you who are new to Raider Football, it is a big field at the intersection of Hobbs Road and Atlantic Avenue. You won't miss the cars. There is no parking on Hobbs Field this year. Only people who are delivering football equipment can park on the field.
GAMES AND FALL PRACTICES
All regular season games are on Sundays this year. Our first game will be on Sunday, August 29. This will be a home game. After this game, practices will move to a school schedule. Once school starts, practices are Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 5p - 730pm. This will be the same schedule every week. There will be no games or practices on Labor Day Weekend (Friday Sept .2 through Monday Sept 6). The next game will be Sunday, October 11 and will be every Sunday after that. The last regular season game is Sunday, October 24.
GAME DAY INFORMATION
The game schedule has not be finalized as of yet and will not be until Mid August. We know we are playing the first game of the season at home (August 29) and the final two games at home (October 17 & 24). When we travel to another town, you are responsible for getting there. We have a tremendous group of parents that did a lot of car-pooling last year so rides should not be difficult. Last year, the furthest we traveled was to Bedford and Concord. This year, there is a team out by Lake Winnipesake so we'll see. Directions to the "away fields" is delivered early in the week of that game. Our home field is at North Hampton School on 201 Atlantic Avenue in North Hampton. At home games, the age/weight class game schedules are as follows:
Tiny Mite: 8am - 9:30am
Mitey Mite: 9:30am - 11am
Jr. Pee Wee: 11am- 12:30pm
Pee Wee: 12:30p2pm
At away games, you can expect similar time frames but each program does it just a bit differently.
EQUIPMENT
The Raider Program provides all football equipment. The only things you have to buy for your children are as follows:
Mouth-guard
Football Cleats
Athletic Cup
Raider Practice Jersey (optional-must be white mesh if you don't want to purchase one from the program)
Make sure your child has plenty of water with them. We do not allow sodas or energy drinks at practice or games. They do not hydrate the kids and in some cases, have the opposite effect. Water is best. We don't have access to a water supply at either of our fields so you need to make sure your child is well stocked for each practice.
We are looking forward to the coming year and although it is still baseball season, I hope your kids are excited to play for the Raiders. Please feel free to contact me or any other Board Member or Coaches for more information.
GO RAIDERS!
John MacDougall, President
Seacoast Raiders Football Association
Mobile: 401-965-3496
Office: 603-379-2606
http://www.seacoastraiders.com
Updated by Rebecca MacDougall, Mon Jul 26, 2010 @ 2:05 PM
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