Contact Information

email: thed2blueeagles@gmail.com

Phone: 803.610.1384

AGE GROUPS AND DIVISIONS

Flag (5 and under):       cannot turn 6 before July 31, 2020

Mighty Mites (7 and under):         cannot turn 8 before July 31^st, 2020

Junior Varsity  (9 and under):     cannot turn 10 before July 31^st, 2020

Varsity (11 and under):  cannot turn 12 before July 31^st, 2020

**See frequently asked questions section for further detail on weight restrictions**

PRACTICES/GAMES

A.  All practices will officially begin the week of August 1st. There will be optional camps and conditioning opportunities.

B.  Our practice fields are Griggs Elementary and Oakridge Middle School.

C.  We will practice every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8pm, unless otherwise noted.

D.  Games will begin in September and end approximately late October.

E.  Home Games are played at Clover High School. There is an admission fee to attend.

F.  We play teams in the Gastonia, York, Rock Hill, Charlotte and Tega Cay areas.

G.  Games can begin as early 10am on Saturday mornings, some will be played in the afternoon and evening. Makeup games will be made up as soon as possible.

H.  We will have a minimum of 2 Home games with 8 total games being played each Home game (our 4 teams and 4 other teams)

F.  D2 Blue Eagles Host a FREE conditioning camp all summer.  Your child does not have to be affiliated with our football or cheer program to participate, no registration is required.  A liability waiver must be signed.  The sessions start the first Sunday after school lets out, and run every Sunday there after.  Location is Griggs Road Elementary from 4-6pm. 

VOLUNTEER

The D2 Blue Eagles are a non-profit organization and rely on the community and families of our participants to make the season possible and keep our costs reasonable.  Our coaches and board members all volunteer their time to support the league.  If you are interested in serving as a coach, on a committee, or as a board member please contact us and fill out the application.  After proper background check and board approval we will happily find a job for you!  During the season you will be asked to volunteer at home games either in the concession, at the gate, or as field help.  Without volunteer and donor participation, the program will not survive.  We have high expectations for our participants, volunteers, and parents.  Please help us keep the schools clean by picking up trash after the practices and games, they are very gracious to allow us to utilize the facilities. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS LEAGUE AND POP WARNER?

Unlike Pop Warner all players will play with their own age groups and do not have to be moved up to a more advanced team because of weight. Weight restrictions noted above apply only to offense positions that advance the football; meaning, if your child weighs more than the restricted weight above, then he/she will not be eligible to be a running back, quarter back, tight end, wide receiver, or punter.* Your child will be eligible to play within their own age group on the offensive line or defensive side of the ball regardless of how much they weigh.

WHEN WAS THIS LEAGUE ESTABLISHED?

In 2012, the Clover/Lake Wylie community had three football options for residents:Clover Pop Warner; LWAA Pop Warner; and Clover Co-Op.The three leagues were competing with each other for players and the two limited weight programs were causing the Co-op league to struggle with numbers, co-op at the time was the only option for kids who could not meet the weight restricted requirements of the Pop Warner leagues.In 2013, The District 2 Blue Eagles, non-profit organization, was formed merging the LWAA Pop Warner football program with the Clover Co-Op program to provide a football option that is not affiliated with Pop Warner and allows participants to play football within their age group.The league also offers an inexpensive rec cheerleading option in comparison to our Pop Warner and Competitive Cheer counterparts. 

WHAT LEAGUE DO WE PLAY IN? 

We are a part of the United Youth Football League. Our league does NOT offer a recreational cheer program.  United Youth Football League offers tournaments/competitions for Football  taking place in Tampa Florida. If we choose to participate in the National tournament there are additional costs associated.  We base our decision to participate in the competitions on fundraising activity and parental support.  The league also offers academic and scholarship opportunities, additional detail about the league is available by going to www.unitedyfl.com.

Does my child have to attend Clover School District (or any other specific elementary or middle school)?

No, The D2 Blue eagles are not affiliated with any specific school.  We have participants that live in various areas of Mecklenburg, York, and Gaston Counties.  There is no restriction on where you live to participate, as long as you can make the practices and games.

Do you have a good coaching staff, what are the requirements to be a coach? 

Our coaches are all volunteers.  Some have children in the program, some just love to coach and work with kids.  Each football team will consist of a head coach and three assistant coaches.  All coaches are background checked, Heads Up training certified, CPR certified, and approved by the Board.  We have a diverse Board of Directors and group of coaches that bring varying levels of actual football playing experience along with general football smarts.  Our coaches are required to attend at least three Board meetings and they also meet with the local Middle School and High School coaching staffs.  At D2 we work with the coaching staffs of Oakridge Middle, Clover Middle, and Clover High to prepare our players for the types of offensive and defensive sets they will see at the next level (as skill set allows).  We also have volunteers/coaches that are student athletes.  We are very proud of our Clover High student volunteers, and our participants are very excited to be mentored and coached by fellow student athletes!  Regardless of your child's talent level, there will be great opportunity for them to learn and thrive with our coaching staff!

Will the participants get to try different positions, learn different roles?

If your child attends practice, works hard, and has a good attitude they control their own destiny at D2.  This is a purely rec league, positions are not predetermined or assigned based on who played the year before or who the current coach knows...We teach all the players the same concepts and they all participate in the same drills. If your child misses a lot of practice or games, their opportunity to try different positions will be minimized but not eliminated.  We also strive to get players time on offense and defense, so they can learn the different strategies and concepts on both sides of the ball. 

What are the documentation requirements for participation and when are they due?

Each football participant will be required to have a state issued ID in lieu of a birth certificate.  These can be obtained from the county DMV for a minimal cost.  The league voted to institute this rule in 2015 to protect the participants by ensuring accurate photo identification and age are being presented at certification.  Birth certificates do not include photo ID, and this rule will eliminate potential cheating by allowing an older child to play on a younger team.  Participants also must provide their final  semester grades for the school year, complete a physical (during 2017, if one has been completed anytime in 2017, a new one will not be required).  Player certification will take place in August, documents should be ready to go at that time.

Is Football a safe sport for my child?

Allowing your son or daughter to play football is a personal decision, and there are many studies, articles, and opinions published relating to the topic.  We can assure you that at D2 we follow every safety requirement.  Our equipment is properly obtained and certified, our coaches are Heads Up Certified, and we are properly insured.  We exceed league requirements by offering CPR certification to all of our coaches.  Two members of our board are health care specialists (we have a Nurse and an EMT).   Truthfully, there is risk of injury in all youth athletic sports, we are proud to meet and exceed the safety requirements for our league. 

If I make a donation to the program is it tax deductible?

Yes, as a non profit organization, we can provide you with a tax form to deduct any monetary or equipment donation to our program.  We also offer varying levels of sponsorship that rewards donors with advertisement, concession credits, and gate charge waivers.  Every dollar received by our program is meticulously managed, and goes right back to the equipment and scholarship needs of our participants.  Sponsors are welcome to attend Board meetings and review financials upon request to the Treasurer.  Board meetings are also open to paid participants of the program, and we are happy to discuss spending and planning with the D2 Family.  Please see the sponsor link on the left hand side of the page for more information.

Did you know???  D2 Fun Facts:

• In 2016, our MIGHTY MITES (8U) traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC and WON first place in their division!  
• For the past 3 years D2 Blue Eagles have submitted application and been selected to participate in the Carolina Panthers Team Photo Day!  2015 D2 was represented by our JV and Varsity squads!  Last year our Tiny Mites were selected and in 2013 our Mighty Mites attended.  The day included (Free of Charge to our participants), a trip to Panther Stadium, Professional Photo Shoot ON THE FIELD with photo CDs provided, a tour of the locker room, and a tour of the Panther weight room.  The Panther's have been extremely gracious, and the day is so much fun for our players and families.  We will continue to submit application and cross our fingers that we continue to get chosen to go!!!
• In 2014 and 2015, our Tiny Mites were RUNNERS UP in our Conference!  The "Hit Squad" as we affectionately labeled them were one win away from advancing to Tampa!  We CAN'T wait to see them in action again in 2016!
• Our program has been blessed with the presence of many dedicated players, we accept and embrace the things that make us different by challenging the glass boxes/stereo types that may define us.  We have very talented GIRLS who play, meaner than most of the boys!!  We have more than one player (on each squad) who battle ADHD and Autism.  AND we have Noah, a 8 year old Mighty Mite, who played full tackle football with a prosthetic leg!  Noah was nominated and a finalist in the 2014 National NFL campaign "Together We Make Football".  We look forward to having him back in 2017 along with his Dad, David, who has helped  coach, and his Mom, Lori, who is on our Board!  
• D2 Participants receive a fantastic year end party every season!  
• Once a year D2 actually SENDS coaching representatives to Panther Stadium for official USA Football meetings and trainings.  Our representatives there work with the Pro's and bring back the info to share with our greater coaching staff.
• We are on Facebook and Instagram!  Many of our former players, D2 Alumni, LWAA Alumni, and Clover Co-Op Alumni are starting on our Middle School and High School level teams.  We proudly support them.  Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and you will frequently see us posting (during the season) about our D2 (and other legacy) Alumni.  Our main goal is to build a strong foundation for our combined Clover Football Program, and we are so very proud of the success our kids have seen on the field at the next level! 
• Clover Football is on the RISE!  Did you know???  Oakridge and Clover Middle 7th and 8th grade football programs DEFEATED York in 2014 and 2015?  AND they were littered with D2 Alumni?  Yes, yes, they were!  The football future is bright in Clover, and we are so excited to be part of that foundation.