YOUTH WITH COURAGE

When we started the Sherwood Park Wolverines Football Club, our intent was to institute a football program that would help our young athletes develop both football and life skills, both on and off the field. We do not tolerate bullies or players that feel the need to cause trouble off the field. The Wolverines preach the philosophy of "Youth With Courage" to players. This means that on the field our players are expected to be hard-nosed, aggressive athletes, giving 100% each and every play. However, off the field, Wolverines are expected to conduct themselves as gentlemen and gentlewomen. When Wolverines make the step to the next levels of football, if they are able to demonstrate to their new coaches and teams the qualities of toughness combined with a high level of sportsmanship then we feel that we have in some small way achieved our goal.

If these are qualities that you are striving to develop in your own teenager, perhaps the Wolverines can help to provide a sporting environment that will, in some small way, assist you in your endeavours.

Why Play Youth Football?

Football is a team sport. Twelve individuals must coordinate together as a team in order to succeed. Just like a finely-tuned engine, if even one part does not do its job, the entire mechanism fails to function.

These are values that can be carried over into everyday life. Often, individuals who are accustomed to working in a team environment benefit from the team skills they learned while playing athletics earlier in life.

Aside from the values that can be taught, playing sports at a young age can develop a youngster's muscle tone and enhance control of his body. For instance, some youngsters have trouble losing weight at a young age. Football is great way to lose weight, gain muscle tone, develop confidence, and get in shape. Our practices are hard, but they are fun. You need to be in shape to avoid injury on the football field, so you should expect to be conditioned. But the conditioning is provided so that a player is prepared to absorb and deliver blocks and tackles on the field safely. This benefit can be carried over into everyday activity, as a better-conditioned athlete is a healthier person.

I'm Worried About Injuries. Is Football A Safe Sport?

What parent does not want to keep their child safe and secure? It's a perfectly natural and instinctive parental reaction.

Football, like rugby, hockey or lacrosse, is an aggressive, high-impact sport. We would, of course, never claim that players will not be injured from time to time. However, it is a statistical fact that football players suffer fewer serious injuries than do hockey, soccer, lacrosse or rugby players.

But rather than to try to convince you that football is indeed a safe sport and one that your youngster can play with confidence and with a parent's peace of mind, we would rather assure you that the Wolverines will take all necessary steps to ensure the well-being of our players on the field. Our equipment is of top quality, and is fitted and maintained to the highest standard. We have a very competent coaching and training staff, who will not allow a player to play until they are fully convinced that he can do so safely. We also maintain a formal arrangement with a team physician, specifically chosen for his background in dealing with sports medicine as it applies to teenagers.

Injuries can happen anywhere. But we believe that the benefits of playing football far outweigh the negatives. So we ask that you support your child if he indicates a desire to play this, the greatest of all team sports; and that you encourage him to come out and don the Wolverine Navy and Gold. He (and you, too) will have a great experience, and your family will make many new friendships; some of which may last a lifetime.