Salem Youth Football & Cheering Looks For Reboot From Lost Season

SALEM, MA — Youth football programs across the region were facing plenty of challenges well before the coronavirus health crisis sent them to the sideline for nearly two years.

Now Salem Youth Football & Cheering coaches and organizers are trying to reboot for the start of practice later this summer by stressing the benefits of the sport and its safety relative to other youth athletics.

"We have been following state guidelines and COVID protocols are in place," Salem youth football coach Ron Miano told Patch on Tuesday. "Our coaches are certified in the "Heads Up" tackling technique —designed to avoid head and neck contact — as well as concussion recognition and protocol."

Youth football participation was in decline for years leading up to the pandemic because of some parents' fears of exposing children to head trauma at an early age.

But according to a 2020 Virginia Tech Helmet Lab study, "concussions in youth football are relatively rare. Younger, lighter players collide with less force than adult athletes, so they're less likely to jostle their brains enough to cause serious injury."

Miano said the goal of Salem Youth Football & Cheering is "to give our players and cheerleaders a great experience and prepare them for the next level of competition."

He said Salem and the other nine programs in the Northeast Commonwealth Youth Football & Cheer — which plays under the "grade-based, age-protected" American Youth Football format — are looking to change any negative perceptions from recent years as the sport at the youth level hopefully gets a fresh start.

Salem Youth Football & Cheering is planning an in-person registration on June 26 and June 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Salem. Organizers are also planning an open house with pizza so players and parents can meet the coaches and get answers to any questions they have about the sport on July 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. also at the Knights of Columbus.

Practices begin about Aug. 1 and early registration allows for better opportunities to plan the best experience for both players and cheerleaders.

Online registration is available here and those with any questions can contact Melissa Innes at [email protected].

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)