Welcome to this week’s edition of Going Gainesville. As always, I’m your host and owner of Salman Home Realty, Lesley Salman, and this week I’m joined by my co-host, Brenda Wolfe with Happy Paws Pet Nanny!
We’re takin’ you downfield to the Gainesville Grizzlies Sports Complex where we’re chatting with the Commissioner of the League, Matthew Patterson.
The Gainesville Grizzlies have a piece of my heart since all three of my kids have been involved with this sports complex, and I have another one joining the league this year.
The Grizzley Sports Complex moved to Gainesville in 2004, Matthew has also been apart of the board since 2006, and commission for the past few years. This place is an amazing arena for young football lovers looking to really learn how to play the game.
Thinking of having your little “ankle biter” join the league? What things should parents new to the league know? Matt says there are a lot of misconceptions about football and concussions. Grizzlies not only provides a great place to learn football but the safest place to do it too.
Years ago, the league adopted the USA Football Heads Up Program designed to take the “head” out of the game. These safety procedures are practiced by the league helping distill in young players the safest way to play.
On-site, they have a medical tent and medical staff so if a player goes down, a physicians assistant can assist them in under 30 seconds.
It’s a big commitment, but it’s a lot of fun and a place to make life-long friendships. Think you’ll be sitting out a game? Nope – not at Grizzlies. Their programs are designed to have your little linebacker on the field, playing each and every game – offensively, defensively. The intent is that every child gets to play at least half of the game to really learn the sport.
And the theme doesn’t stop with the players. The coaches are dedicated to building and environment that makes kids want to come back practice after practice, season after season.
So where does you little one fit in? Grizzlies works off of an age/weight matrix, so as an ankle biter, the beginners, you’ll see 7, 8, and some 9-year-olds, but after that, it’s focused more on divisions which incorporate age, weight, and time playing meaning your child will be up against a similar class and no one gets left out.
Other programs? They’ve got that too. Tackle football, of course, but also Grizzley Cheer led by cheerleaders, and flag football (co-ed). Last year, they even had an all-girls team, which I think is awesome.
Want to see your kiddo in the end zone? Cheer them on here:
️🏈 Grizzly Practice Field
🏈 10600 Determination Drive, Nokesville, VA 20181
🏈 http://www.grizzlyfootball.org/
And thanks to Joe from Calibur Home Loans for sponsoring this video!