June 4, 2010
by Christine Yeres
After the New Castle Recreation Commission informed Pete Zimmerman on May 6 (see “Rec Commission says Pete Zimmerman will coach, but dept says program will join USA Football,” NewCastleNOW.org, May 14, 2010), that he would be permitted to continue coaching youth football, a group of rec football parents met to discuss what the ideal youth football program would look like.
They decided that a parent-run organization presented the best option moving forward. They applied to the Rec Commission for permission to organize and operate youth football in the Town of New Castle on a basis similar to the parent-run soccer, basketball and lacrosse organizations in town.
Spearheaded by Phil Green and Jim Nottingham, the new parent group, Chappaqua Youth Football Association (CYFA), submitted a draft proposal for a parent-run football program to several commissioners for feedback and discussion. Tonight Green, his sons Ben and Matt, Nottingham, Bill Hriskonich, Billy Schur, John Nadler and Pete Zimmerman attended the Rec Commission’s meeting to hear what the seven commissioners thought of the application.
Green spoke about the advantages of the parent run-model and its ability to provide a football program for the kids in Chappaqua that would remain parent-run and strongly connected to the football community at every level, from rec football through Greeley varsity football.
The commissioners listened attentively and asked questions to understand exactly how CYFA might operate. At the end of the evening it was agreed that a joint committee of CYFA representatives and recreation department personnel would meet in a information-trading session at which each would learn what the role other has played so far in operating the rec football program.
After tonight’s meeting, Nottingham, the proposed president of the new organization stated, “The commission is doing their due diligence in asking questions. I’m heartened by their willingness to work with us and by their openness to the formation of the CYFA. There is a great deal of work to be done, but work never fazes a football player or coach.”
Superintendent of Recreation Robert Snyder reported that since the last rec commission meeting he had hired Joe Streany to interface with the rec football program, filling an existing part-time position in the rec department. Streany, said Snyder, would act as football program coordinator during the football season, communicating with coaches, scheduling play, organizing practices, overseeing general instruction, drafting players for teams and distributing and fitting equipment.
To find previous Letters to the Editor in Response to “New Football Game in Town,” click HERE.
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