Hello GYFC Families,

As we reflect on the 2023 season, there is much to celebrate and much to be excited about for the future of Guilford Youth Football and Cheerleading. Before we review a few highlights from the season, we want to take a moment to say thank you to each of our head coaches and the assistant coaches who dedicated countless hours before, during and after the season to help every football player and cheerleader have a positive experience. Our team parents also deserve a round of applause for their support of the coaches and teams.

Additionally, we have a small but mighty group of executive board members who are committed to creating the strongest program possible while focusing on the long-term vision of being a consistent feeder program to the GHS football and cheerleading programs. Our goals are lofty AND attainable, and as we partner with Coach White and the high school program, we strive to help bring shoreline conference and state championships to the Guilford community.

GYFC Initiatives

• Hosted the 2nd Annual Guilford Football Golf Classic in partnership with the GHS Touchdown Club. Led by a committee of high school and youth parent volunteers, this event welcomed 80 golfers, numerous sponsors and event volunteers. Net proceeds exceeded $16,000 and were split evenly between the youth and high school program.
• Our season sponsorship program attracted 33 generous sponsors with proceeds totaling more than $12,000. Thanks to the small group of volunteers who helped lead the charge on sponsors this past season. A final THANK YOU to our top-level Hall of Fame sponsors: A&W Sanitation, The DeRosa Family, Geronimo Restaurant Group, The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center, Shoreline Autobody and Terravet Real Estate. Thank you to all of our season sponsors!
• The annual raffle ticket fundraiser was another huge success thanks to all the players and parents for getting out into the community to sell those tickets. In total, we sold 2,181 tickets! After winner payouts, printing and permit expenses, net proceeds were just under $19,000!
• For perspective, the total fundraising proceeds described above represent approximately half of the annual operating budget it takes to host a season for Guilford Youth Football & Cheerleading. The remainder of our budget comes from player registration fees. The money you all help raise for the league goes directly back into the program for the benefit of our children (equipment, uniforms, apparel, etc.) to ensure they have the best experience possible and take pride in being a member of the Guilford Football and Cheerleading programs. We are not sitting on a large stockpile of cash savings and there is minimal carryover of revenue from year-to-year. 
• Additional league-wide activities included:
  • GYFC Season Kick Off Family Picnic at the Little Red Barn at Bishop’s
  • Marching in the Guilford Fair Parade with the GHS cheerleaders and football team
  • Friday Nights at GHS home games including Youth Night where our youth cheerleaders joined the high school team on the sideline during the game and in the halftime performance as well as our flag team playing a halftime scrimmage while being supported on the field by our tackle teams.
  • Pasta Dinners with the GHS varsity team for our 6th, 7th and 8th grade teams

Football Highlights

• We welcomed a total of 164 flag and tackle players in 2023, a modest increase from 2022.
• Fielded tackle teams at every grade level (4th-8th), something our closest neighboring towns cannot say.
• Flag program (K-1 and 2-3) continues to grow and introduce our youngest football players to the game with a 20% increase in participation from 2022.
• Four out of five tackle teams advanced to the championship playoffs. Two teams played in the semifinals and one advanced to the championship.
• Over the past three seasons, Guilford had five teams advance to the championship game. Guilford is tied for the most teams (5) in the SYFC championship games, with our neighbors to the east, from 2021-2023. Next closest is three teams (five different towns).

Cheerleading Highlights

• We welcomed a total 56 cheerleaders in 2023, representing a 65% increase from 2022.
• Our sideline teams included athletes from grades K through 8 and our competition teams were comprised of athletes from grades 2 through 8.
• The program fielded three sideline teams for the first time in years and two competition cheer teams for the third consecutive season.
• This season, the sideline cheer teams attended 21 regular season games and 5 playoff games including the championship game.
• The competition cheer squads, D10 competing at level 1 and D12 at level 2 (for the first time ever), tested themselves at the Local and State competitions against 17 CT towns’ programs, many of which have nationally ranked cheer teams.

Looking Ahead to the 2024 Season

There is still much to be accomplished as we look to keep growing and improving the program AND we need your help! In the coming weeks and months, we will be seeking greater involvement from parents on several important initiatives. We are looking to formalize a few committees to help take the lead on various activities including fundraisers, league events and other exciting initiatives. Please consider attending our monthly board meetings to learn how you can get involved in 2024.

In addition to our existing fundraising events and league activities, we have a couple new ideas brewing. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help, please contact us and/or attend the next board meeting. We typically meet on the second Monday of each month and send meeting announcements via email. We hope to see you there!

Be on the lookout for the first new initiative in 2024, the official GYFC Super Bowl Squares! We will offer boxes for a nominal donation with cash prizes throughout the Super Bowl. This will be online and easy to share. Get in the big game and support GYFC!

Happy Holidays and New Year from Guilford Youth Football and Cheerleading!

Thank you.

Ken Alberti

President

Guilford Youth Football & Cheerleading