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What equipment does the program provide and what do I need to purchase before the season?
River Grove Bears provides - Jerseys (Home & Away), Practice Jerseys, Helmet, Padded Pants, Shoulder Pads. (Everything needs to be returned at the end of the season, except for Jerseys). Mouthguards, chinstraps. A surprise is given on "Signing day"
Families will need to provide - Football Cleats and Athletic Supporter.
Optional items: Padded Shirt/Rib protector,
*Flag: only needs cleats, athletic supporter. All can be purchased at local sports store.
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what should parents expect to see at tryouts-evaluations/Practices?
The month of June are tryouts/Evaluations. The athletes will all be working together (at their level) and Coaches will run the drills to see their talent, current athletic level, sportsmanship, personality, etc. After the evaluations, your child will be drafted to a specific team at their level (Flag usually has 3-4 teams, most other levels have 2 teams).
Once teams are selected, your athlete will work directly with their teammates and Coaches to learn fundamentals, plays, and build upon existing skills.
**There is a preseason scrimmage called a “Jamboree” that most teams opt to participate in. Your Coach will communicate the details of the event to you directly if you are participating.
*The first 4 weeks of the program, practices are 5 days/per week (2 hours/ea). After Labor Day, practices generally drop to 3 days/per week at the Coaches discretion/planning.
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Who are your coaches and what are their qualifications?
Our adult coaches are all unpaid volunteers who are usually parents of current or former Bears Football players with extensive youth coaching experience and/ or high-school/collegiate tackle football experience. Our coaches make a significant commitment to the program and to the development and safety of young football players and cheerleaders. All coaches are required to acknowledge a Code of Conduct and to submit a third-party background check. All Bears football coaches also are required to be initially certified and recertified through USA Football (see “Coaches Section” ).
What age range is this program for?
Co-ed NFL Flag - Kindergarten - 8th Grade*
*Must be 5 by August 1st.
Girls NFL Flag - Kindergarten-12th grade*
Coed Tackle - 6U-14U
Division 1,2 for 6U-9U
Division 1,2,3 for 10U-14U
*Must be 5 by August 1st.
*If you have any questions or need further clarification please email Tony at
athleticdirector@rivergrovebears.com
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What dates does the program run?
All levels - August - October/November
Practices typically start in the 14th of July, with games beginning late August.
8 regular season games per season (4 home / 4 away) and they are on Saturday/Sunday.
*Possible travel week 1 to another AYF conference in near by state. (Accommodations and travel expenses not provided)
What kind of time commitment is involved?
Practices - The first 4 weeks of the program, practices are 5 days/per week (2 hours/ea). After Labor Day, practices drop to 3-4 days/per week at the Coaches discretion/planning.
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Games - There are typically 8 regular season games (4 home / 4 away), playoffs, and nationals (if applicable).
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*NFL Flag all levels - Fall, Spring & Summer season. *We are the only organization in our area to compete and participate in official NFL sanctioned events, and games. Registration will be put out accordingly for these events.
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*8U Tackle - is a fun, instructional level of teaching basic principles of football with an emphasis on teamwork, blocking, and tackling while having a lot of FUN!! The U8 season starts July 15th and is over at the end of October. There are no playoffs and they play an 8 game season.
General Note - Parents should plan a commitment of 10 - 12 hrs/week for the Flag Program, and 10 - 14 hours/per week for the Tackle Program.
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Coaches will always do everything in their power to ensure practice/time commitments are communicated as early as possible to help families with planning and scheduling.
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In order for our kids to get the most of this program, it is crucial they practice frequently to retain the skills that they are learning, so while the time commitment may initially seem like it is a lot, once you’re in on the fun, socializing with other parents, and seeing the amazing progress your kids are making, you will see why it is all worth while!
can I drop my child off at practices, or do I need to stay?
Parents or guardians are required to remain present during practices. We understand that there may be times when parents need to attend to other matters, and in such cases the discretion of the athlete's coach is necessary prior to an approved drop-off. For more details, please refer to the parents section in the "About Me" page.
Does my child have to have previous football experience?
We welcome all athletes who enthusiastic about the game, regardless of their football experience. Our top-tier training is designed to prepare players for high school football, even at a young age. If you're dedicated and ready to learn from outstanding coaches, the Bears are the perfect team for you!
We don’t live in River Grove. Can non-residents play in the River Grove Bears program?
Yes, non-residents can register, however there are some restrictions and limitations. Please contact us at info@rivergrovebears.com with specific eligibility questions.
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