Welcome to the Donegal Braves family! The goal of the Donegal Braves is to provide safe, quality recreation and skill development in football and cheer for all that participate in our program. We set out to foster a love of the game, develop strong skill sets, teach safety in everything we do & create a drive for the youngest future of the game.
The Donegal Braves season runs from August through October. This includes practices, games, youth night at the HS stadium, team picnic, and other events. Nothing is possible without volunteers. Opportunities to get involved are below and crucial in running a successful season.
There are 3 divisions based on
- B Team - up to 145 lbs, unlimited for lineman
- C Team – up to 120 lbs, unlimited for lineman
- D Team – up to 100 lbs, unlimited for lineman
- Weight guidelines are strictly adhered to for safety
Communications:
Donegal Braves will communicate almost exclusively through the TeamSnap app. This includes schedule updates, weather changes, volunteer opportunities, and other important notifications. Please request that all family members are added as needed. Our website will also be updated with any information sent via email. We will also be utilizing email and our website for some information.
ADDRESSES FOR PRACTICE/GAMES:
War Memorial Park: 344 E Walnut St, Marietta, PA 17547
Equipment
| Players are provided:
• Helmets • Shoulder Pads • Rib Protectors • Practice Pants • Practice Jersey • Game Jersey • Game Pants |
Equipment is provided by the Donegal Braves program to all players. The equipment handout will size your players for the correct gear and your players will be sent home with their equipment for the season. Only cleats, cups and mouth guards must be purchased. Dates of the equipment handout will be communicated by the Donegal Braves. All equipment will be returned at the end of the season. Game Jerseys and Game pants will be distributed at practice before their first game.
Schedule:
August:
Equipment Handout
Practice starts 4 days a week (2 hours a practice)
Parent Meeting
Board Meeting
Sponsorships Due
Pictures
Team Picnic
Late August-November:
Once school starts: Practice 3 days a week.
JV Game each week
Varsity Game once each weekend
Youth Night at the Donegal HS Football Stadium
Practices:
Practice is critical so your player will learn everything they need to be successful on the field.
The season will start with practice 4 days a week. Helmets will be worn at all times throughout the season. In the first week or two, shoulder pads will not be required to get the kids acclimated to the heat. Full pads will be added a week or two into the season and that will be communicated by the coach.
All teams will focus on mastering these skills and techniques:
- Position Stances, Proper Angles, Catching, Tackling, Blocking and Increasing Agility
- Understanding Line responsibilities & learning the playbook
Games:
The Red Rose League will send out a schedule with dates and locations. Divisions B, C, and D will offer football games at the Varsity Level (more skilled players) and the Junior Varsity (JV) Level (skilled and developmental level)
Allow 3 hours minimum for weekend games. Weekend games run consecutively on the same field, so each game starts immediately after the one prior. Each team weighs in at the previous game’s half time, so arrival times will be at least an hour before your team’s game will start. Players cannot play if they miss the weigh-in. This hour is a great time to volunteer during home games!
Athletes will arrive only wearing lower pads, cleats and their game jersey. Players must weigh in at or under their team’s limit with lower pads and cleats in order to play in that game.
JV Games
JV Games are designed to train the newer athletes in fundamentals so they can participate in the Varsity Games safely. This opportunity also provides players with exposure to different positions for education and growth. We find this process highly effective so that all athletes have an opportunity to play while keeping everyone at each level safe. As the athletes learn and progress, more and more athletes will increase time in the Varsity Games. The goal is to build one strong cohesive team where everyone can play safely in a competitive environment. JV games are typically played on Monday nights.
Varsity Games
Coaches will identify those team members who have mastered the skills needed to play safely on the more competitive field, and they will play in the Varsity Games. Playing time in the Varsity games is not guaranteed at the B, C, and D level.
At the Game
Allow 3 hours minimum for weekend games. Weekend games run consecutively on the same field, so each game starts immediately after the one prior. Each team weighs in at the previous games’ half time, so arrival times will be at least an hour before your team’s game will start. This hour is a great time to volunteer during home games!
Athletes will arrive only wearing lower pads, cleats and their game jersey. Players must weigh in at or under their team’s limit with lower pads and cleats in order to play.
Weather Delays/Cancellations:
Any changes to the normal practice or games schedule will be communicated via email or through the TeamSnap app (TBD). Please be sure to sign up for emails and/or download the TeamSnap app. It is very important to stay close to the field in the event it is lightning in case we have to clear the field quickly.
Volunteering:
Our Donegal Braves program wouldn’t succeed without volunteers. Our Executive Board and coaches are honored to contribute their time and efforts to running the organization.
We also have a variety of opportunities where you can volunteer during home games. Each family is expected to choose a minimum of 2 jobs throughout the season. These are crucial for raising money through concessions as well as keeping costs down by donating time on the field. There are many expenses involved in managing a football and cheerleading organization. We truly appreciate your involvement in the Donegal Braves organization.
We will email volunteer sign up opportunities (thru SignUpGenius). Please plan to sign up as often as you can.
Field Positions - Each home game requires 3 people to work the chains. An email with a sign up is sent prior to each game. Having people scheduled in advance is crucial for planning.
- Concession Positions - Each home game requires 3-5 people to work at the concession stand which is a key fundraiser. A variety of basic jobs are available,
| Items to Donate
• Case of Coke, Diet Coke, Mountain Dew • Hamburger/hot dog rolls • Assorted chips • Case of Water • Case of Gatorade • Box of individual bags of Doritos Chips (for Walking Tacos) • Box of Candy: Tootsie Pops, Blow Pops, Ring Pops, Swedish Fish, Starbursts, etc. |
- and there is always a senior person on site to help with training.
Donations:
Early in the season, we will ask for donations for our home game concession stands. These items are a vital part of fundraising.
Sponsorship:
Your sponsorship & fundraiser ticket sales will help provide for the purchase of uniforms, insurance, football equipment, referees, and registration fees for families in need. We extend an invitation to you and your company to become a sponsor of our youth football and cheerleading organization.
Sponsorship opportunities consist of multiple price levels to meet your business needs. They range in price and can include banners, website exposure. A form will be sent out early in the season, please pass it along to your employers for potential sponsorships.
MANDATORY FUNDRAISER:
All football players & cheerleaders MUST participate in fundraising.
During the sign-up process, each player/cheerleader registration will have an additional $60 fee added for fundraising. During equipment/uniform handout, each family will be given raffle tickets to sell for the opportunity to recover that added fee.
Example: I register my son for football and see the added $60 fee. I sell 6 raffle tickets for the fundraiser. I have now recouped that $60 that I paid at registration.
SELLING RAFFLE TICKETS: Each player/cheerleader will be required to sell at least 6 tickets @ $10/ea. If you sell the first pack of tickets and want more, please see Christie Smith. If you have more than one child participating, there is a family maximum of 10 tickets that are required to be sold.
RULES
1-Deadline to turn tickets in will be announced at the beginning of the season. All tickets must be in prior to the first drawing.
2-Tickets must be returned to Christie Smith or Lindsay Drace. Please DO NOT turn into coaches. Make sure your child’s name is on the envelope.
3-Once you sell your mandatory number of tickets, you may request additional packets to sell (this money will be turned in to the Braves as additional fundraising).
Pictures
Pictures will be taken early in the season. A variety of individual options are available for purchase. A form will be sent out by the Donegal Braves via email. Return the form on picture day with payment.
Contacts
Donegal Braves will send out a variety of communications with important forms and dates. The website is also a great resource for information. Games schedules are often finalized at the end of August once fields, teams, referees, and other details are all confirmed. You will be notified as soon as possible.
General Questions - we will keep our website up to date, so we encourage you to check there first. If you can’t find answers to your questions, please contact your team mom or your head coach.