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This letter from a VYI Football parent, says it all!

Dear School Board Members -

... In the case of youth football - the reward outweighs the risk for our family. I have three sons ages 8-15. They all play tackle football. Not a one has ever suffered a serious injury in the 8 years we have been participating in Vienna Youth Football and now the GMHS program. The kids have been taught through the Heads Up football program and have a strong foundation in both the proper way to tackle and to take hits. Their equipment is top notch. The physical benefits are numerous in terms of both cardiovascular fitness and general strength. Most coaches also focus on the nutritional aspects. However, the greater reward in my mind results from the basic concepts surrounding football and the life skills those concepts help impart to players. Football is the greatest of all team sports - each team member has a specific role to play in every play of the game. Absent that player executing on that role, the entire play, be it defensive or offensive, can fail or be impeded. The concept of 11 players, each with a unique role, working in concert to achieve a goal is a powerful lesson. No other sport has such specific play calling. Additionally, the game is highly strategic. A well coached team understands the strategy behind the plays being called and can develop and be a part of the strategic thought process by informing coaches of what they are seeing on the field. The game also develops resilience and quickness/nimbleness of thought to be able to react in circumstances when strategy isn’t working or a specific play falls apart. And, in every game there is a winner and loser - learning how to lose is often more important than learning how to win. On top of all of that, there is a tremendous comraderie in football that does not know economic or social bounds as the football field is a great equalizer and the sport does not require enormous outlays of cash by parents. Football also is a sport that allows people of various physiques to participate - in fact a well balanced team in that regard is propitious.

I happen to work in a corporate environment as an executive - as an employer, i look for intelligent young people who are confident, resilient, have strategic minds and know how to play a role in support of greater team goals - even if that role is not the most glorious of positions. No running back ever scores a touchdown without a solid block by a lineman at some point. It takes a whole team effort to get down the field.

.... I respect the fact that some parents may not want their children to play football for one reason or another - I hope that similar respect can be accorded for those of us who do support and encourage our children to play football. My son wants to be a Navy Seal one day. Underwater basket weaving will not prepare him for a life in the military if that remains his choice - football will. Different stripes for different types. And we need all types in our society.

Thanks for you ear and your support!

Julie