NORTHSIDE DOLPHINS YOUTH FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING

Teamwork. Dedication. Pride. These are just a few words that describe the many lessons learned through youth sports. If you are interested in getting your child involved in a program that teaches lifelong lessons while having fun, the Northside Dolphins would like to invite you to be part of our organization for the upcoming fall season.

The Northside Dolphins Youth Football and Cheerleading is a Non-profit Organization that provides a supervised program of competitive football and cheerleading by way of volunteers to the youths of the Tampa Bay Area.

We are part of eighteen teams that compete in the Tampa Bay Youth Football League (TBYFL). Our goal is to instill the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, courage, loyalty and respect in the children and adults of our community who participate in the Organization.

Our fall practice season begins Monday, July 29th, with our first game taking place on Saturday, August 24. The ten game season runs through November. No prior football or cheerleading experience is necessary.  All boys & girls ages 4 to 14 are welcome.

The TBYFL Football squads are formed by league age* and weight and Cheerleaders by their league age*.  “ Forming the squads by age & weight limits helps to provide a greater emphasis on safety for young players and helps level the competitive edge across the leagues.” says President Dawn McClung for the Northside Dolphins.  We have 5 Football & Cheerleading squads, Flag - 4 to 6 years, PeeWee – 7 to 8 years, Super Midgets 9 to 10 years, Midget 11 to 12 years and Varsity 13 to 14 years. “Our Football program teaches kids football fundamentals in a fun environment that emphasizes sportsmanship, self-esteem, and healthy competition.” says Coach Todd Himmelberger, the head coach for our 2013 Flag Football squad. “The Northside Dolphins cheer program is geared at teaching the sport of cheerleading, while emphasizing the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fitness within a safe and fun environment.” says Cheer Coordinator Kim Brown.

Once our season starts, Pee Wee through Varsity squads practice every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:15 until 8:15 PM and games are played on Saturdays, morning or afternoon. Our Flag Football and Cheerleaders practice every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:15 until 7:30 PM with Wednesday night games. If Flag Football has a Wednesday night game then Thursday’s practice is cancelled.  All practices are held in Northdale at the Dolphins Sports Complex, 5354 Northdale Blvd.

The Northside Dolphins have a long history of tradition and fun activities that the whole family can enjoy. The organization sponsors a Golf Tournament each summer, a pep rally prior to our first game, a large Homecoming celebration, which includes a spectacular firework show that lights up the Northdale skies and an end of year party where all participants are awarded trophies.

“Our coaches are very dedicated and the players worked very hard last year.  Two of our four football teams made it to the playoffs and we are hoping to have another successful season this year.” says Joe LiCalsi, Athletic Director.

We are very proud of the performance of our Cheerleaders.  Not only do they cheer their teams on during the game, they also compete in Cheer Competitions.  Last year our Cheerleaders competed in three competitions, The Steinbrenner Cheer Brawl, Gulf Coast Cheer Classic and the TBYFL Cheer Competition. “While winning is secondary to learning, our cheerleading program is very competitive. Our cheer teams compete in 3 competitions each season and our teams consistently place very well.” says Cheer Coordinator Kim Brown.

Please join us at our next open registration which will take place on Saturday, March 23 at the Northdale Rec Center, 15550 Spring Pine Drive, from 9 AM until noon. Registration costs for the season are $275 for Pee Wee through Varsity squads and $225 for Flag and Mighty Mite. For football, this fee includes the TBYFL participant registration and all rental equipment: (Tackle - helmet, shoulder pads, game & practice pants with pads, girdle & pads, and game jersey. Flag- game pants with pads, girdle & pads, game jersey and flags). For Cheerleaders, the fee covers TBYFL participant registration, all rental equipment: game day/competition uniform (turtle neck, vest, and skirt), hair bow, socks, shoes, and bag, one practice uniform (shirt & shorts) and competition fees.  New participants must bring a copy of their birth certificate. We offer multi-child discounts. All required paperwork can be found at the Northside Dolphins website www.northsidedolphins.com for easier and faster registration or you can complete a packet at our registration events.  If you are unable to make our next open registration, please check our website for additional open registration dates to be held in April and May.  You can also register during our Family Fun Nights at the Northdale Beef O’Bradys, 15784 N Dale Mabry Hwy on April 17^th and May 15^th.

Come play and cheer with the BEST!!!

*Please see the website for additional information on league ages and weight requirements.