MEMO

TO:                             ALL CHARTERED MEMBERS OF THE

                                    ARIZONA YOUTH FOOTBALL FEDERATION

FROM:                       ARIZONA YOUTH FOOTBALL FEDERATION

                                    EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DATE:                        SEPTEMBER 7, 2004

At tonight’s meeting, the Executive Board had many items on the agenda.  We specifically discussed this year’s registration of Pop Warner football participants.  Inasmuch as each participant is provided many benefits from this program, it does NOT include the right to choose the Association they play in, the Team they will play for, nor the Coach that will instruct their team.  Pop Warner football is a structured program with a long history of success.  There are very specific rules that govern this program. 

It has become common knowledge this year that, among other things, there is:

• Widespread abuse of the proof of residency requirement, including older players who, when asked, “don’t know what their address is”, and have no idea of when they “moved”.

• Disregard of association printed boundaries resulting in the displacement of many young participants.

• Bodily injury and death threats to members of the Federation Executive Board.

• Falsification of applications that has already severely punished young participants because of the inappropriate actions of adults.

• Applications being accepted after the allowed date in some areas and not in others.

The end result is adults who are out of control and trying to feed their own egos in search of the perfect championship team.  Pop Warner rules which attempt to provide uniformity and fair play for all has resulted in severe penalties to some and a free ride to state championships for those who don’t get caught.  This is unacceptable.   

It is for these reasons that the Executive Board has reached the unfortunate decision to suspend the 2004 Federation Playoffs.  Each team will receive their two bowl games and the 2004 season will end. 

It is our fervent hope that changes can be made in 2005 that will allow the return of Federation Playoffs.