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 Dear Parents
With regard to why we have chosen to continue with the Pacific Youth Football League (PYFL)... More... |
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 Where Do You Play This Week?
Tired of being late to a game due to bad directions? Click here for current maps to all locations. More... |
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 Looking For Sponsors
The Simi Valley Patriots organization looks forward to building a strong partnership with your company that will enable us to fulfill the hopes... More... |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a brief list of frequently asked questions which will assist you in becoming familiar with the
Simi Valley Patriots youth football program.
The Patriots organization is committed to serving the families of Simi Valley and communication has been a
key to our success. Please do not hesitate to email or call us with any questions or concerns you may have -
we're here to serve your family.
Steve Aguilar
President, Simi Valley Patriots
If you have a question that is not listed below, please email us at FAQ@simivalleypatriots.com
What is the difference between the Simi Valley Patriots and Vikings?
What are your age & weight requirements?
What is the coaching philosophy of the Simi Valley Patriots?
Where do you play your home games?
How did the Simi Valley Patriots youth football program start?
Is it true that the Simi Valley Patriots play at the Staples Center every year?
"My son has never played tackle football before"
Should I join the Simi Valley Patriots or Vikings?
Are you forced to place kids on waiting lists?
Are you a competitive league?
What is the difference between the Simi Valley Patriots and Vikings?
While both programs provide highly competitive youth tackle football for Simi Valley, differences can be found in age & weight requirements, coaching philosophy and our opposing teams vary throughout Ventura and L.A. Counties.
Return to FAQ's
What are your age & weight requirements?
The Simi Valley Patriots football program is divided by age and weight into four divisions:
| DIVISION |
AGE
|
MAX WEIGHT
|
Pee Wee
|
7-8
|
105 lbs.
|
Bantam
|
9-10
11 |
125 lbs.
75 lbs. (+5 playoff pounds) |
Midget
|
11
12 |
140 lbs.
95 lbs. (+5 playoff pounds) |
Junior
|
12
13 |
155 lbs.
100 lbs. (+5 playoff pounds) |
Senior
|
13-14 |
190 lbs. |
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What is the coaching philosophy of the Simi Valley Patriots?
"Integrity… On and off the field". Here at the Patriots program, we take this motto seriously. So often you hear the cliché "it's all about the kids", and then you sit back at a game or practice and watch coaches belittle their players, use profanity and become border-line lunatics. I literally cringe when I hear parents come to us and share their experiences of coaches, grown men, who use profanity around and towards their players - this is simply wrong. Now football is a very competitive sport and violent in nature, so granted there are times when coaches yell at the players to pump them up, to challenge them and to develop the necessary aggressive play in a young boy, however, our coaching staffs understand how to maturely, respectfully and creatively develop aggression in young players without teaching them improper behavior habits. If coaches cannot control themselves when coaching young boys then coaches cannot expect to make much of an impact on the integrity of young player on and off the field. We are committed to building up young players - not tearing them down. We believe youth coaches need to have a true grasp on the reality of their influence on the young lives that parents entrust them with and we want parents to know that when you leave your child in the care of our coaches, that respect is a two-way street between coach and player. Youth coaches can make a lasting impact in the life of a young person - we strive to make their experiences with our coaches to be positive and character building. We're here to develop football players as much as we are to develop future young men of integrity.
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Where do you play your home games?
Our home games are played at Grace Brethren High School. Grace has been true to their name as they have graciously allowed us to utilize their practice field for the last 3 years. Pre-season clinic and practices (the month of August) are held at Grace Brethren High School. Regular practices are held at Berylwood Park on L. A. Avenue.
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How did the Simi Valley Patriots youth football program start?
I'll give you the short version… Jim Thornton co-founded the Patriots football program along with Ken Williams. Jim Thornton passed away on August 20th. Jim dedicated over three decades of his life to youth football in Simi Valley.
A little over three years ago I was contacted by Jim Thornton and Ken Williams as they had decided to start a new football team - the Simi Valley Patriots youth football program. Prior to this, Jim had already served for over 30 years with the Simi Valley Vikings organization while they were still affiliated with the PYFL, until they decided to branch off and join another league. As a result, Jim was determined to continue to provide a youth football program that would meet the high standards held by the PYFL. I was offered the opportunity to assist with the implementation of this new program; hence, I met the man, Jim Thornton. Upon meeting Jim, I immediately took a liking to his no nonsense personality. I can best describe it as a, "Just allow the kids to play football" attitude.
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Is it true that the Simi Valley Patriots play at the Staples Center every year?
Yes, it's true. At the end of every year each coaching staff can choose to arrange to have an exhibition game against another team within the PYFL at the Staples Center prior to an L.A. Avengers arena football game. This game makes for a great time for the entire family, as our young boys are allowed to play on the very field the Avengers play - a 50 yard turf field with padded side lines and all! The memories it creates for our players will last a lifetime! Click Here to see the Simi Valley Patriots in action at the Staples Center .
[Be patient, large file]
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"My son has never played tackle football before"
Now I know this is not a question but I must include the statement. I hear this statement every year from parents who are registering or considering football for their child for the first time. My response is always - it doesn't matter. If a boy wants to play tackle football for the first time, my attitude is always one of excitement. I do understand a parents concern about whether or not their child will be okay, physically and emotionally, when thrown into a group of boys that have tackle football experience. But that's what youth football programs should be all about! Personally I find it a true joy to have the first shot at teaching a young boy the basics of tackle football. Their first experience can make all the difference as to how they adjust to the game. Our goal is to develop in a young person a love for the game of football and that's accomplished by encouragement and patience. One reason why I love youth football practices more than game day is the fact that we get to work with the boys on fundamentals, one-on-one, and when careful instruction coupled with patience and encouragement through their mistakes begins to take root in a young players mind you begin to see them trust their equipment and literally see them transform into football players before your eyes. This is one of the greatest joys for a youth football coach!
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Should I join the Simi Valley Patriots or Vikings?
The answer to this question should be based on your personal and thorough inquiry to both programs. I strongly encourage parents to diligently research both programs before making a choice. By research I mean, speak directly to each league's President (my phone # is 805-581-0543) to get a handle on our visions, goals and philosophies. Get the names of possible head coaches and speak to each one of them, speak to parents who have had kids coached by them, consider the different weight & age limits. Bottom-line is to determine which league best meets the needs of your family.
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Are you forced to place kids on waiting lists?
We have been fortunate to not have the problem of placing eager kids on waiting lists. The beauty of Simi Valley now having two youth football programs is there's no reason for any Simi Valley youth to be forced to sit out a season! I can't imagine being a young person desiring to play youth football, only to be told there's no longer any open rosters. The existence of the Simi Valley Patriots has literally opened up hundreds of opportunities for the youth of Simi Valley to have a place to play football.
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Are you a competitive league?
How can the game of tackle football not be competitive [tongue & cheek]? Yes, we are definitely a competitive league. We strongly emphasize the objective of giving 100% in every game to obtain a win! No football coach should have to apologize for doing everything to properly develop aggressive, hard hitting and tackling, "give me the ball" and "we play to win" attitudes in their young players. After all, young boys thrive off the excitement of winning a football game! However, the key, which differentiates a typical youth football program from one which is based on development of Integrity and strong character is, being able to teach, by example, young boys how to be winners even when losing a game. Winning a game isn't necessarily isolated to a final score - winning is also being able to help up an opponent after a tackle, being able to resist an opponent who tries to start a fight, not boasting with a prideful dance after scoring and being able to control one's aggressive attitude once you're off the field. Winning is too often all about the final score and far removed from focusing on the player's character.
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Steve Aguilar
President, Simi Valley Patriots
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2007 Simi Valley Patriots Youth Football. All rights reserved.