Frequently Asked Questions
Who can play IYF Tackle Football?
To be eligible to play in the 2024 season (without an age waiver), a player must weigh at least 60 pounds and have been born on or before July 31, 2016, but not before August 1, 2009 and live within the Issaquah High School boundary. With Club approval and parental waiver, a 7-year-old who weighs at least 60 pounds may play. No experience is necessary. Both boys and girls are welcome.
What will it cost to play IYF Football?
Registration fees for the 2024 season are $575. Fully paid registration is required before a player will be issued equipment or placed on a team. There is an additional $200 equipment deposit (fully refundable) required at the time of Weigh-Ins (check or credit card authorization).
IYF is able to provide a limited number of scholarships to players in need. If you need a scholarship, please request the scholarship during online registration. *Please note: Scholarship Applications need to be submitted and approved in order to secure a roster position on a team this year.
What does the Football registration fee include?
IYF provides the basic equipment necessary to participate in football. This includes: helmet, shoulder pads, mouth guard, all-in-one practice and game pants, game socks, and jerseys. This equipment must be returned in good condition at the end of the season. To assure return of the equipment a deposit of $200 is required (check or credit card authorization). If the equipment is not returned in good condition the deposit will be forfeited. Shoes, practice socks and practice jerseys are not provided.
Your registration fee also helps to cover some of the expenses required to run a successful program. This includes such items as practice and game field rental fees, officials, insurance, coaching equipment and training, safety education, and player development. IYF must also rely on your assistance through volunteerism and fundraising to cover all costs associated with the program.
When does the season start and how long is it?
Our season starts in August and runs thru mid-November. This year our first practice is Monday, August 12. In general, the teams practice 5 days a week for the first 3 weeks, and then drop-down to 3 weekdays a week with a game on Saturday. Every team plays a minimum of 9 total games, and may play additional games in the playoffs. The 2024 GEJFA championship games are on Saturday, November 9.
Where and when are practices?
Practices are held at various fields within the City of Issaquah. We primarily practice at Central Park turf fields, Tibbets Valley Park, Pacific Cascade Middle School and Issaquah Middle School. All practices are a maximum of 2 hours long, between the hours of 5:30 and 9:30 PM.
What team will my child be on?
IYF fields teams at 5 division levels; Rookie, Cub, Sophomore, Junior Varsity and Varsity. The playing level is determined by an age/weight point system. You can use the age/weight chart on the GEJFA website (www.gejfa.org) to determine the level at which your child will play or you can contact IYF.
Teams are formed each new season and organized by grouping players according to their level and home elementary school boundary to the greatest extent possible, with some balancing to ensure optimal team size. We do not take “buddy” or “coach” requests when building out rosters but you will very likely have players from your school and surrounding neighborhoods on your team.
Please note that IYF has a split policy that is strictly followed per our league’s (Greater Eastside Junior Football Association, www.GEJFA.org) mandate. Unlike some other youth sports organizations, IYF cannot consider requests for players to be placed on a certain team or requests for certain coaches.
The amount of players registering each season, including late registrants, is the main factor that determines the team formation for each level. Another element considered is when either players are added to or subtracted from a team because they had to move up or down a level, with regards to their age & weight classification. If the number of registrations allows for at least three teams per level, the team make up will also be adjusted accordingly. Therefore, players may or may not stay with the same team each season (e.g., a Gold player one season may be on the Purple or White team the subsequent year). Ultimately, it is up to IYF’s discretion to balance the teams for each level in cases where there are inequities in numbers (of players per team).
Remember that registration is on a first come, first serve basis. One factor in deciding team assignment is time of registration, so it is important to register as soon as possible if you want the best chance of your child being placed on a team with his or her classmates. When teams are full, registration for that team level will be closed so don't delay registering your child and submit all the necessary forms to secure a roster spot on a team.
What are my obligations as a parent to the Club?
IYF is a 100% volunteer organization. Parent participation is mandatory to sustain the organization. IYF has many volunteer opportunities each year ranging from being a Board Member to fund raising, to being a coach, a team parent, team photographer, running the score board / clock or down markers at games. We do realize that in some cases it may not be possible to volunteer, in those cases we request a minimum $50 donation be made to the organization.
What is the refund policy?
Should a registered football player decide not to play and notify (in writing) the IYF Registrar before June 1st, the entire registration fee will be refunded less a $25 administrative fee. If IYF is notified (in writing) between June 1st and August 1st, all but $100 of the registration fee will be refunded. There will be no refund given if IYF is notified after August 1st.
CANCELED SEASON: Should the season be canceled prior to the first practice, all players will receive a 100% refund. If the season is canceled after practices have begun, partial refunds will be issued based on Club expenses incurred (e.g. Field rentals, jerseys, insurance, etc.).
Does my child need a physical exam?
Each year, the player’s physician must certify that the player is physically fit to play youth football by signing the Physician’s Examination Form. We realize that it may be necessary to schedule a physical exam before the Physician Certification Form can be submitted. Therefore, the Physician’s Examination Form does not need to be returned with the registration application but is must be returned prior to the first practice.
How many practices can my child miss?
Attendance will be taken at practices (jamborees included) and games. Playing time in games may be diminished for those players that fail to attend practice - regardless of the reasons or excuses given. If a student athlete incurs more than (8) unexcused absences (absences due to something other than serious illness, injury or mandatory school function) at any point during the season, he/she will be dismissed from the team and IYF without refund.
How many practices must my child attend before being allowed to play in a game?
Attendance will be taken at practices (jamborees included) and games. Players are not eligible to play in a regular season game until they have participated in 14 practices (jamborees included). Playing time in games may be diminished for those players that fail to attend practice - regardless of the reasons or excuses given.