Published: May 14, 2008 12:11 am            

FOOTBALL: Newfane hosting NFL Jr. developmental program

NEWFANE — Local junior high football players will focus on character development and specific skill training when the National Football League’s Junior Player Development program comes to the Blue Zone from 6 to 8 p.m. July 10 through 25.

The JPD program is free for students and is an excellent high school feeder program for players looking to succeed at the next level, said volunteer organizers Chuck Nagel and Ang Nunnari.

There will be two sign-up dates this month at Newfane Town Hall, located at the corner of Transit Road and McKee Street. The first is this Saturday and the other is May 31. The sign-up are times are between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Since its inception in 1999, the NFL’s nationwide JPD program has provided a youth tackle football program for boys and girls ages 12 to 14. The program is designed to teach every participant every position, through a step-by-step progression, skill instruction package in a fun, and entertaining manner.

Participation in the program has grown to more than 22,000 junior high students in all 32 NFL markets in addition to Los Angeles and Hawaii. On-field components of the program include instructional segments on individual positions, a regular review of newly learned skills and a competition that focuses on the execution of basic skills learned.

Along with football instruction, all participants receive counseling through a life skills development curriculum incorporated into the program. These character-building segments include life skill messages integrated throughout on-field skill training.

Coaches follow a specifically-designed curriculum created by a sports psychologist, with different life skills integrated throughout the on-field curriculum. Subjects include responsibility, goal setting, sportsmanship, self-control, smart moves and teamwork.

At the conclusion of the program, each player receives a JPD equipment bag, jersey, football, wristband with life skill cards, and a JPD certificate.

For more information, contact Nagel at 471-5801 or Nunnari at 622-6456.

        

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