The objectives of the League are to provide wholesome recreation for eligible participants, as well as teach sportsmanship and fundamentals within the context of organized tackle football.
The DCAYFL voting body is comprised of a seven member Board of Directors. This Board consists of five individuals who are not associated with a member program and two program representatives who serve alternating 2 year terms. All measures impacting the League are put to a vote via parliamentary procedure with each Board of Directors' member having one vote.
Programs not currently active in the DCAYFL may petition the league for conditional probationary status. The program must demonstrate sustainability (financial and participant numbers) as well as the ability to host and staff (officials) home games. No program will be considered that substantially takes players for its program from an existing league member. Geographical considerations are also heavily weighed. Conditional acceptance is possible only by a majority vote by a quorum of the Board of Directors. New programs voted in to the DCAYFL will deposit a $500.00 entry fee to be held in escrow while a league member.
Individual programs assemble teams at different time periods from Spring and throughout the Summer. Participation numbers are determined by individual programs and are often restricted. It is best to contact the program your child will participate in well in advance of the season. After the team has been assembled necessary information will be collected. A completed DCAYFL registration form and medical emergency information form must be turned in at the weigh in. Each participant is required to provide proof of age (state certified birth certificate or other verifiable document). Children without age documentation will not be allowed to participate in League play until this requirement is fulfilled.
DCAYFL weigh in is typically held at a venue with sufficient capacity to accommodate the event. Special consideration is also taken to insure geographical accessibility. The 2006 weigh in was held at MATC Truax campus. Weigh in dates vary, but usually occur in mid August. If the current year date is not posted on this website, contact your program director for the information.
An alternative make-up weigh in session is held within nine days of the primary event. A $30 fee will be assessed to players utilizing this alternative date. No exceptions will be made, so it is strongly recommended that children attend the main weigh in which has no fees associated with it.
Players who do not attend either official weigh in will automatically be subject to a $30 fee and be assigned "Star" status independent of their actual weight. Efforts to record their weights are to be sought by the player's program director. In situations where the "Star" label jeopardizes a player's safety (grossly underweight), special exemption can be sought at the recommendation of the program director. The President of the DCAYFL Board of Directors makes the ultimate decision of allowance.
The DCAYFL is a non-profit organization working on a budget collected from team fees. Facility rental and other logistic and administrative costs associated with verifying the players' weights at the main weigh in represent the balance of our operating budget. This fee is therefore necessary to manage/offset additional expenses arising from this alternative weigh in as well as encourage compliance with the primary weigh in.
Each player must have completed his/her DCAYFL registration form and medical emergency information form prior to weigh in. These forms are then provided to the team coach or program director. All first year players must have a copy of their birth certificate which should also be held by the team coach or program director. All players should wear the team jersey assigned to them for the year. Players are expected to be respectful and behave in an acceptable manner.
Specific teams and programs will be assigned time slots during the regular weigh in date. During this period, players will assemble in a staging area in ascending jersey number, and a roster sheet completed reflecting team composition. The players will then be individually weighed on certified electronic scales and weights recorded. Each player will have only one attempt to be weighed. Each player will then proceed to a waiting area until all team members have completed the weigh in process. No parents are allowed into the weighing area. Only coaches and team chaperones will have access.
A progressive allowable weight tier system has been developed for each grade participating in the DCAYFL. This allowable weight system for players was developed under scientific advisement from Nutritionists at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals. In the interest of overall safety and fairness, players over the allowable limit will be not be allowed to play positions allowing for advancement of the football on offense, and will be restricted to playing the "down line" on defense.
4th Grade: More than 95 lbs
5th Grade: More than 105 lbs
6th Grade: More than 115 lbs
7th Grade: More than 130 lbs
8th Grade: More than 150 lbs
In the event that circumstances warrant action, contact your Program Director immediately. Submit a written and signed complaint, with supporting evidence or witness testimony to your Director within two days of the disputed event. Failure to document the complaint within this time frame will negate the complaint. Do not directly call or otherwise contact any DCAYFL Officer in grievance matters. Unwritten or unsigned complaints will receive no consideration. Once received, grievances will be addressed and resolution sought by the Board of Directors.
Each program is responsible for entering its home game scores on the DCAYFL web site. All home game scores must be entered by noon on the fourth day after a league scheduled game. (Example: Saturday game - Wednesday by noon)
When each program enters its home game scores, the web site automatically updates the team standings. All home game scores must be entered by noon on the fourth day after a league scheduled game in order for the standings to be updated.
Team representatives are a liaison to the parents, coaching staff and Board of Directors. Each team shall have a minimum of 2 team representatives. Teams with over 20 players should have 3. Some of the duties of a team representative include but are not limited to: be present at official registration nights to record contact information for each player, distribute all handouts throughout the season, contact people to work concession stands, assist in fund raising activities, set up crews to run the chains for home games, make sure articles are written for each game and assist at the equipment return.