WELCOME TO OHTP BOBCATS TACKLE FOOTBALL
The Tinley Park Bobcats youth sports organization is excited to start offering tackle football this fall. Our organization wants to offer growth opportunities for athletes who want a more competitive experience in tackle football, and an in-depth experience designed to strengthen an athlete’s skillset, as well as their understanding and appreciation for the game. Our mission is to transform an athletes’ football awareness into football intelligence, to build their strength, speed, reaction, power, and leverage, and to help them master the basic fundamentals of the sport; tackling and blocking. Our organization believes that wins and losses are outcomes, not goals, and our goals are centered around maximizing the individual potential of every athlete in our program.
Built on the pillars of fellowship, sportsmanship, and diversity, the southwest midget football league is the ideal league to help us carry out our mission. In our first year the Bobcats will have two levels, the varsity and lightweight division. Below is the age and weight matrix for both divisions within the SWML:
The above weights identified in the matrix represent the max weight of the athlete at each age within each division. Please note that although each level has an age range, depending on your athlete’s weight at a younger age, they can participate at that level (example, your athlete is a 9 yr. old who weighs 130 lbs., your athlete can play in the lightweight division). This age/weight matrix is currently under review by the SWMFL executive committee and could change for the 2024 season. Any and all changes to this matrix will be immediately communicated out to all registrants.
Registration will close on February 29th, and no refunds will be issued after March 15th. Below is a breakdown of the costs for participation:
Registration Fee - $350
Equipment Deposit Fee - $300 (returned/refunded at equipment return at the end of the season)
Parent Volunteer Deposit Fee - $150 (returned/refunded at equipment return if requirement is fully met)
There will be no fundraising requirement for the 2024 season!
Equipment deposit and parent volunteer deposit fees will be collected at equipment handout in the form of personal check, or credit card charge. The parent volunteer requirement is working in any of the below capacities for a total of three events:
Game Management - you will work either as a member of the chain crew (3) for all games scheduled that day, or in the pressbox in assisting with announcing or game clock management.
Concessions - you will work for two (consecutive) of the four scheduled games for that day to get credit for one event.
Security Staff - you will work at a designated position at our game field for two of the four scheduled games (consecutive) to enforce all spectator expectations (these will be shared routinely with program parents, and visitors).
All registrants will receive program communications through the winter and spring pertaining to skill camps, program parent meetings, equipment pickup, etc.
The Bobcat Tackle Football program Athletic Director will hold an informational parent meeting on Friday, January 12th at 7 p.m. in the performing arts center at Andrew High School located at 9001 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park. Upon entering campus, you will pull into the parking lots behind the school and enter through the Main South Entrance. Following the presentation our staff will respond to any and all questions about the upcoming season.
Below are a list of volunteer program positions currently open:
Program Fundraising Coordinator - The expectations of this position is to take a leadership role in identifying and organizing fundraising initiatives during both the in-season (July - November) and off-season (December - June). Running fundraising events will be a joint effort involving all program executive members, coaches, and parent volunteers
Event Security Coordinator - The expectations of this position is to take a leadership role in ensuring a safe and supportive environment at all home games. Within this expectation the coordinator will ensure all emergency management plans and procedures are followed, as well as managing and aiding all security volunteers in dealing with spectators not adhering to our expectations. Emergency action plans will be shared with this volunteer.
Concession Stand Director - The expectations of this position is to take a leadership role in the managing of our home game concession stand. Included in these expectations are ordering, pricing, and stocking all concession stand goods, completing (and signing) all required revenue and expense paperwork, and securing all banks at the end of each event and providing them to the athletic director at the conclusion of the event.
Event Staff Coordinator - The expectations of this position is to take a leadership role in the management of all game staff including chains crews, pressbox crews, and volunteer security and concession stand staff.
Assistant Coaches - The expectations of these positions is to assist in the development and execution of practice and game plans, as well as assist with other program management aspects including field setup and breakdown, attendance tracking, equipment and supplies management, individual skill drill instruction, offense, defense, and/or special teams coordination, and responding to parent questions and concerns.