USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, and the Oakland Raiders have recently awarded football equipment grants to youth and high school football programs throughout the Bay Area based on merit and need.
USA Football partners with the Raiders and all NFL clubs to award equipment grants to youth and high school football programs across the United States. The program has awarded more than $3 million in football equipment through the NFL Youth Football Fund since 2006.
Each selected youth league receives a $1,000 package that offers a variety of football equipment and uniform options to choose from. High schools receive similar packages valued at $1,500. All equipment grants are fulfilled by Riddell, the official helmet and protective equipment partner of USA Football.
"Alameda is a very ethnically diverse community, with a relatively large number of single family households, whose median income is relatively low compared to other northern California cities," said SCOTT LEEof the Alameda Wolverines. "Our football team mirrors this trend. We have a large number of our players who come from Oakland seeking a safe environment in which to compete in athletics. We also have a number of players who come from single parent families who lack the financial ability to afford the equipment and registration fees necessary to play football."
USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the Raiders, the NFL, each of its other 30 teams and the NFL Players Association. The NFL Youth Football Fund, a joint partnership between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, provides for approximately 800 football programs to earn an equipment grant from USA Football and NFL teams this season.
"We are pleased to team with USA Football to help our community and its youth organizations," said Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask.
"We are pleased to work with USA Football and our teams to donate much-needed equipment to youth leagues," said ALEXIA GALLAGHER, Director of the NFL Youth Football Fund. "These grants will help ensure that youngsters who share our love of the game are able to play it safely."
"Even with multiple fundraisers and strict budget adherence, many well-run youth and high school football programs need help to properly equip their teams," USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK said. "We are proud to be a partner in the Raiders' continued commitment to ensuring great football experiences for the kids, families and volunteers who power this sport in the Bay Area."
Bay Area youth and high school programs awarded a 2010 USA Football Equipment Grant:
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ORGANIZATION |
CITY |
| Alameda Wolverines Campbell Bears Marin Catholic High School Livermore Youth Football and Cheer Nor CAL Youth Football Modesto Red Shield Sacramento Bears Youth Football & Cheer Organization South Sac Vikings Galileo Academy Piedmont Hills High School Santa Cruz Pop Warner | Alameda, Calif. Campbell, Calif. Kentfield, Calif. Livermore, Calif. Martinez, Calif. Modesto, Calif. Sacramento, Calif. Sacramento, Calif. |
About USA Football
USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, leads the game's development, inspires participation, and ensures a positive experience for all youth, high school, and other amateur players.* *The independent non-profit hosts more than 80 football training events annually for coaches, players and youth football league commissioners. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, its 32 teams and the NFL Players Association and manages U.S. national teams for international competition. Endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football (usafootball.com) distributes $1 million annually in equipment grants and offers youth league volunteer background check subsidies. Former NFL team executive Carl Peterson is USA Football's chairman.
