We’re part of the Fairfax County Youth Football League (FCYFL), joining 20 other youth clubs that field 7,000 participants in America’s most popular game.
The regular season starts after Labor Day..
The season ends with the championship games in November.
Practices begin the first week of August.
Practices are 5 nights per week before school starts and reduce to 3 nights per week once school begins in September. Games are on Saturdays.
Practices typically run from 6:00PM to 8:00PM.
Regular season games begin in September.
Games are held at Centreville High School, Braddock Park, and other locations in Fairfax County.
Teams are formed based on evaluations that begin in August, and players are divided into different divisions based on experience and skill.
Yes, but players are placed on teams according to their abilities, with divisions such as American (most experienced) and National (beginners).
Yes, TBD
The season consists of regular practices and games, while clinics, such as the Skills Camp, are optional opportunities for additional practice and learning.
| Season | Registration opens with $15 discount | Regular Registration Fee | Registration Late Fee $25 | Registration Wait List | Season Registration Closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | May | June | July | Aug 1-14 | Aug 15 |
| WINTER | September | October | November | Dec 1-14 | Dec 15 |
| SPRING | December | January | February | Mar 1-14 | Mar 15 |
| SUMMER | March | April | May | June 1-14 | June 15 |
Approximately two weeks before the start of the season.
Tackle football is divided into weight divisions.
| Age on October 1 (See exceptions for 15 and 16 year olds) | ||||||||||
| Weight Class | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12* | 13* | 14 | 15** | 16*** |
| AB* | Unlimited | 90 | 55 | |||||||
| 80LB | UNL/100* | 56/100 | 85 | 80 | ||||||
| 90LB | UNL/110* | 86/110 | 81/95 | 90 | ||||||
| 100LB | UNL/120* | 96/120 | 91/105 | 100 | ||||||
| 115LB | UNL/135* | 106/130 | 101/120 | 115 | ||||||
| 130LB | UNL/150* | 121/140 | 116/130 | 130 | ||||||
| 155LB | UNL/175* | UNL/165* | 131/160 | 155 | ||||||
AB* – Anklebiter Division
* – Maximum LBS for carrying the ball
Registration is open to all kids living in Fairfax County ages 7-16. You must be 7 years old as of October 1st and no older than 16 as of October 1st. The Fairfax County Youth Football League is a full contact tackle football league.
Registration Cost: $315.00
Families will receive a $15 multi-child discount.
| League | Early Bird | Regular Registration | Late Fee (One month after registration opens) |
| Football TACKLE | $300 | $315 | $340 |
SYA offers scholarships to all SYA participants of all recreational sports who qualify under the Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services program. To learn more about SYA scholarships, click here.
Equipment is issued to players on designated dates before the season begins. Your child must be present to receive their equipment.
Equipment is provided at Centreville High School and other designated locations during equipment issue days. Your child must be present to receive their equipment.
Game jerseys are provided, but players must follow care instructions. Jerseys are not to be worn during practices.
Should you have specific questions regarding tackle football, please refer to the appropriate person below.
| Position | Name | |
| Commissioner | Felix Otchere | [email protected] |
For other questions: [email protected]
Inclement weather line: 703.324.5264
Attendance Policy:
Full participation in practices and games is mandatory, and absences should be reported to the coach in advance. Missing practices can negatively impact the entire team.
SYA Football encourages parents and high school players to volunteer as referees or team staff. Contact the [email protected] for details on how to get involved.
Community and business sponsors help support field maintenance, equipment upgrades, and overall league operations.
Inclement weather information will be posted by 3:00 PM. If no updates are provided, assume practice is on. Practices may be delayed or canceled if lightning occurs.
There are no boundary requirements for tackle football, however a $50 out-of-county fee does apply to participants who reside outside of Fairfax County.
Refund Policy
The SYA Football program adheres to the Northern Virginia Youth Football League (NVYFL) safety guidelines and Code of Conduct founded on sportsmanship, skill development, and respect.
The FCYFL Rule Book outlines the official rules, while the SYA Coach & Parent Handbook provides additional program policies. The FCYFL Player Participation Rule ensures all players get a fair chance to participate. To support the program’s success, a year-round task list is available. Draft procedures are in place for fair team placement, including Anklebiter, Central, and National drafts.
Our commemorative Helen Iverson & Jacob Salter Youth Football Scholarship Fund honors the memories of beloved coach Steve Coleman and cherished players Bo Rupp and Jacob Salter. Funding supports all families in need so that all children can play.
The NFL and USA Football chose three programs nationwide to pilot a player safety program – we were one of them.
SYA Coach Tom Healy attended a football clinic in Canton, OH, where he brought back the Heads Up Tackling technique, the new standard for limiting helmet-on-anything contact we’ve integrated into our program. We will always be staunch advocates for concussion awareness and will continue to share updates in and on the field.
Player safety is a responsibility we all share. We invite parents to always discuss their concerns and questions with board members and our coaches.
Approximately two weeks before the start of the season.
Fairfax County issues permits to SYA to use facilities in the Centreville/Clifton area. Typically a team will practice at the same facility each week with varying locations for weekend games.
Notification of schedules/locations/times will be sent out 1-2 weeks prior to start of season (as determined by when we receive permits).
Mobile app, email, etc.
SYA offers scholarships to all SYA participants of all recreational sports who qualify under the Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services program. To learn more about SYA scholarships, click here.
