Batavia Youth Football Expands to Eighth Grade
The Batavia Youth Football program now includes eighth grade, making it a seamless first- through eighth-grade football experience.
“By adding eighth grade to the BYF offerings, first- through eighth-grade flag and tackle participants can stay together all eight years and feed right into high school football. Starting this August, the seventh- and eighth-grade players will practice and play in Batavia High School’s Bulldog Stadium,” said Batavia High School football coach and BYF president, William Colamatteo.
Batavia Youth Football was founded in 2003 by former head BHS football coach, Mike Gaspari and current head coach, Dennis Piron. The coaches started with flag/touch football for grades 1-6, and made it their mission to teach kids the fundamentals of football, good sportsmanship, good citizenship, and teamwork in a fun, rewarding environment.
In 2009, seventh-grade tackle was added to the BYF lineup. BYF tackle football focuses on teaching kids the fundamentals of tackle football and teamwork to prepare them to compete at the high school level. This program, which now includes eighth grade, is aligned with the Batavia High School football program’s schemes, terminology, and structure. Participants will enter high school football well-prepared to contribute to the overall program.
“We are excited about the move of the eighth-grade football program from Rotolo Middle School to join Batavia Youth Football as it will create a more cohesive football experience for first through eighth grade students,” said Josh Bulak, RMS associate principal for operations and athletic director. “It will provide opportunities for all middle school-aged students within Batavia to participate in the same program and allow for evening practices at Batavia High School.”
Families interested in registering for Batavia Youth Football and Summer Camps at Batavia High School, can do so through the Batavia Park District’s website, BataviaParks.org.
For more information about BYF, visit BataviaYouthFootball.net.
