Welcome to the Homepage of the Delaware
Optimist Club Football Program!
 The
Delaware Optimist Football League has been a part of the community
since 1991. Our program has grown from four teams to as many as
eighteen in a season.
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Mission and Goals
of the Delaware Optimist Football League
- To provide an
environment in which youth will be able to develop
basic concepts of good sportsmanship.
- To provide experiences
for youth that is enjoyable and develops positive
attitudes.
- To assist youth physically,
mentally, and emotionally in a positive atmosphere.
- To teach basic fundamentals
of the game of football, and develop their skills
for the future.
- To provide a safe and
healthy environment in which youth may experience
the fun of playing football.
- To provide a forum
that youth, through the experience of football competition,
can apply and demonstrate the skills learned during
practice.
- To provide competitive
teams that are as equal in age, size, and skill level
as can be achieved by the league.
- To involve adults in
helping achieve the above purposes, whether as coaches,
advisors, officials, fans or other positions essential
to promoting the league and its players.
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 About
the Delaware Optimist Club Football Program
A Brief
History and League Information
The Delaware Optimist Football
League (DOFL) began in 1991 and has grown from 4 teams to as many
as 18 in some seasons. The program includes teams from Delaware
City, and the Kilbourne, Ashley, Ostrander and Elgin/Marion areas.
The program is run by the Delaware
Optimist Club, a nonprofit organization. All the coaches, advisors,
and commissioners are unpaid volunteers. Head Football Coaches
must join the club in order to coach.
The football season runs from
August to mid-October. Practice starts in August. The first game
is the last Saturday in August and all games are played on Saturdays
in Smith Park on Troy Road.
This is an instructional league.
In the interest of fair play and in keeping with the goals of the
League and of the Club, there are no playoffs and the league does
not keep stats. The primary goals of the league are outlined in
the next section.
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Mission
and Goals of the Delaware Optimist Football League
- To provide an environment
in which youth will be able to develop basic concepts of good
sportsmanship.
- To provide experiences for
youth that is enjoyable and develops positive attitudes.
- To assist youth physically,
mentally, and emotionally in a positive atmosphere.
- To teach basic fundamentals
of the game of football, and develop their skills for the future.
- To provide a safe and healthy
environment in which youth may experience the fun of playing football.
- To provide a forum that
youth, through the experience of football competition, can apply
and demonstrate the skills learned during practice.
- To provide competitive teams
that are as equal in age, size, and skill level as can be achieved
by the league.
- To involve adults in helping
achieve the above purposes, whether as coaches, advisors, officials,
fans or other positions essential to promoting the league and
its players.
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Eligibility
The Football League is open
to the Youth of Delaware County.
Division I players consist of youth between
the ages of 8 and 10 years old. Players will be eligible for Division
I if the have attained their 8th birthday prior to October 31 of
current league year.
Division II players consist of youth ages 10
through 12. Players cannot have attained their 13th birthday prior
to August 1of the current season.
All players attaining their 11th birthday prior
to August 8th of the current season must play Division II. 10 year
olds may be placed in Division I or II. The
Board of Commissioners reserves the right to determine the Division
in which each child shall be placed.
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Equipment
The League will supply players
with a game jersey and the loan of shoulder pads and helmets. Players
keep game jerseys after the season is over.
Players are responsible for
providing football pants with pads, mouth pieces, and rubber soled
cleats. Athletic supporters are highly recommended. All players
MUST wear protective gear at all times while actually engaged in
contact play, including practice sessions.
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Program
Cost
The program cost
for 2008 is $85. Players are not required to do any fundraising.
Players are also
responsible for obtaining their own football pants with pads, mouth
pieces and rubber soled cleats. We recommend Play It Again Sports
for locating used football pants.
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Player's
Code of Conduct
- Have FUN!!
- Work hard to improve your
skills
- Be a team player - get along
with others on your team
- Learn good sportsmanship
- Be on time for practice and
games
- Respect your coaches, your
teammates, your parents, opponents and officials
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Parent's
Code of Conduct
- Do not force your children
to participate in sports, but support their desires to play in
their chosen sport. Children are involved in organized sports
for their enjoyment. Make it fun.
- Encourage your child to follow
the rules. Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud
good plays on both teams.
- Do not embarrass your child
by yelling at players, coaches, advisors, or officials. By showing
a positive attitude towards the game and all its participants,
your child will benefit.
- Emphasize skill development
and practices and how they benefit your young athlete.
- De-emphasize games and competition
in the lower age groups.
- Know and study the rules
of the game and support the officials on and off the field. This
approach will help in the development and support of the game.
Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game.
- Applaud a good effort in
victory and in defeat and enforce the positive points of the game.
Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice
- it is destructive. Work toward removing the physical and verbal
abuse from youth sports.
- Recognize the importance
of volunteer coaches and advisors. They are very important to
the development of your child and the sport. Communicate with
them and support them.
- If you have a problem, please
contact the club and tell us. We can't fix what we don't know
about.
- If you enjoy the game, learn
all you can about the game, and volunteer!
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 2010
Registration
Registration for the
2010 season will
be announced in the spring of 2010.
Please check back with
us then!
Football Game Schedules
and Calendar
 2010
calendar, registration dates, and other information will be announced
in spring of 2010. Please check back!
Contact
Us
Email us with any questions or
concerns related to the football program: football@delawareoptimistclub.com.
Please visit the Optimist
Club Contact page if you're looking for a specific person's
email address.
2009 Football Commissioner:
Hank Nichols hank@delawareoptimistclub.com
Mailing Address:
Delaware Optimist Club
P.O. Box 312
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Please send all payments and correspondence
to this address.
Please make any checks for fees
payable to "Delaware Optimist Club".
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