Miami Football to Partner with the American Youth Football League
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami football team announced today the beginning of a year-long partnership with the American Youth Football League (AYFL) (ages 13 and below) in Broward County.
The partnership begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. at PAL Field in Plantation Fla., with the first of two coaches’ clinics. Miami head coach Mark Richt and other Hurricane assistant coaches will be on hand to provide instruction to youth coaches in the AYFL.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this partnership with the AYFL,” Richt said. “Through this partnership, we will be able to give kids and coaches the proper instruction they need to help advance their skills. This is a great opportunity to get out into the community and speak to some of our youth football programs in the AYFL. I’m looking forward to this clinic and to visiting other youth teams in parks throughout the tri-county area in the near future.”
The AYFL is one of South Florida’s largest youth football leagues and features teams from Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Davie, Delray, Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale Lakes, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Sunrise, Tamarac, Weston and West Pines.
“I think it is very important that the premier youth football program partners with the University of Miami in order to get the proper instruction from the Hurricane coaching staff,” said AYFL Executive Vice President Joel Greenberg. “I think the overall experience will provide great excitement and help generate awareness of youth football and help continue to grow the game with UM.”
The partnership will provide coaches of the AYFL with a customized concussion protocol in collaboration with UHealth Sports Medicine to assist coaches with overall safety.
“In a lot of youth leagues the coaches are the only individuals who have the necessary information when it comes to dealing with concussions,” said UHealth Sports Medicine Dr. Gillian Hotz. “Being safe and having fun are the most important aspects to youth football and we want to ensure that people are educated at a young age.”
Hurricane football student-athletes and cheerleaders also will make appearances throughout the year at AYFL parks.
Members of the AYFL will attend the Hurricanes’ game against FAU on Sept. 10 as part of the partnership.
For the latest information on the Miami Hurricanes, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, @CanesFootball, or visit our website at HurricaneSports.com.
For more information on the AYFL, including registration information, please visit the AYFL website at AYFL.COM.
Season tickets for the 2016 Miami Hurricanes football season are on sale now – visit CanesTix.com or call (305) 284-2263 for more information.
