Frequently Asked Questions:
Football FAQ’s (scroll down for Cheerleading)
Q: What is the cutoff for registering for the season?
A: June 15th is the last date registration will be accepted without a late fee of $50. After June 15th you should contact the football director (see contacts page). The only exception is a family that has moved into one of the 3 towns from an address outside of the area after April 1st. The cutoff for new residents is August 1st. No Exceptions!
Q: What level will my child play?
A: The Morris County Midget Football League (MCMFL) has very specific rules regarding the maximum age and weight requirements for players at each level. As a member of the MCMFL, the Grayhawks are required to follow these rules. In addition, it is the policy of the Grayhawks to assign players to the lowest level for which they qualify based on their age and weight. By so doing, most players will be on a team with their school peers. If a player is age-and weight-appropriate for a given level, but the majority of their classmates are at a higher level, he may be allowed to play at the higher level with the approval of the Board of Directors and the involved coaches. See chart below:
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What is the players age on July 31st |
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| Level |
6 or 7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
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| Flag |
any |
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| Pre-Clinic |
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85 lbs |
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| Clinic |
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92 lbs |
92 lbs |
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| Super PW |
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105 lbs |
105 lbs |
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| PeeWee |
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120 lbs |
120 lbs |
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| JV |
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135 lbs |
135 lbs |
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| Varsity |
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158 lbs |
158 lbs |
158 lbs |
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| Find the age of the player across the top, then follow down the column to the first weight that is greater than their weight, this is the level they will play. The only exceptions that will be considered is keeping a player in the same level as their school classmates provided that they are below the age and weight max. If you child ends up in a blank box, speak to a board member. |
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| The green square is the age of most of the players at that level |
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Q: What if my child is over the weight limit?
A: If a player’s weight exceeds the level maximum by more than 5 pounds at the equipment distribution before practices begin, a discussion will occur between the head coach and the parents to see where the parent feels the child’s weight will fall at the start and during the duration of the season. The Grayhawks Organization reccomends children player no higher than one level higher than their birth date dictates if they are over their age level weight limit. Parents should consult their physician for any weight loss / gain decisions. There is a weigh in prior to each game, if a child is not under the weight they can not play that game, no exceptions.
Q: Do the weight limits change?
A: The Grayhawks are part of the Morris County Midget Football League(MCMFL), the weights are set by that organization and are NOT negotiable. Every even year the MCMFL considers weight limit changes. In 2006 pre-clinic weight dropped and all other levels went up 2-3 lbs over last year.
Q: What are my responsibilities as a parent and player?
A: The Grayhawks Organization looks to provide an environment for learning good sportsmanship, teamwork and football skills. Thy Grayhawks require all players and parents to conduct themselves in an appropriate manor and respect other players, coaches and referees. The first infraction of player misconduct will be a discussion with the parents and head coach, with information supplied to the head of coaches and Grayhawks Board. Any future problems may result in your child being removed from the program. Parents found arguing or harassing in any way referees, coaches, players or any other member of the Grayhawks organization risk having their child removed from the program.
Q: Can I get a refund of my registration fee?
A: The Grayhawks will not provide any refund after equipment is distributed or August 1st which ever occurs first.
Q: Where can I be to watch the game?
A: This sounds painfully simple, but problems arise year after year. Parents, other than recognized volunteers (coaches or working the chains) are to stay off the field and in the stands and away from the players and coaches. This goes for home and away games. The coaches and players need to focus on the game and other players and should not be disrupted. All coaches provide alternative means of contacting them for questions, schedule time after the game or practice when they can focus on your questions.
Q: How should I handle problems with coaches?
A: Respect the fact that they are volunteers and doing the best job they can. If you have a problem, talk to the head coach about your issues or concerns. If you do not feel they adequately addressed the concern, visit www.grayhawks.org, where you can email the footballdirector@grayhawks.org, if you still do not feel the issue was addressed, email the Grayhawks Board President and the matter will be referred to the Board for discussion. All emails MUST INCLUDE your phone contact so we can fully understand your concerns.
Q: What equipment do I need?
A: The Grayhawks provide the basic equipment required to play the game, helmet, shoulder pads, lower pads, jersey and pants. If you feel additional pads are required, you need to provide them yourself. Otherwise all players MUST have their own protective cup, cleats and mouth piece to participate. Flag players will only receive a jersey, pants and flags. All players must return ALL Grayhawks supplied equipment at the end of the season.
Q: When do I get my equipment?
A: The Grayhawks distribute equipment in mid to late July. Please make every effort to attend one of those dates, otherwise you will have to meet with the coach at the first practice. All players must return ALL Grayhawks supplied equipment at the end of the season on the designated drop-off day, before the team banquets.
Q: How can I become a coach?
A: There is a check box on the player registration form, check off the coach box. This must be followed up by completing a coaching application and mailing it to the Grayhawks by the May 1st cutoff date. Selected coaches MUST complete the Rutgers coaching certification course before the season begins.
Q: If my child does not make practices, will they be able to play?
A: Most likely, however, this is up to the coach. Practices are 4 days a week during August and typically reduce in frequency going into the playing season, depending on the level and the coaching staff. In order to develop skills, learn plays, get prepared for the games and help the team, we strongly recommend attending all or as many practices as possible. Your child missing too many practices is a disservice to the other players who are working hard everyday.
Q: When are the games played?
A: Flag, pre-clinic, clinic and Super Peewee are considered Saturday levels and most games are played Saturday morning and sometimes in early afternoon. Peewee, JV and Varsity play primarily Sunday afternoons, sometimes late Saturday afternoon into evening. There is only one game per level each weekend from the weekend after Labor Day in September to typically the first or second week of November. There can be some midweek games as the coaches try to work in additional opportunities to get the kids more playing time.
Q: Where can I park at Boonton High School?
A: You must park in a lined space, we have received several complaints from the Boonton Police department about cars parked on the grass or on the roadway by the practice area entrance. For both drop-off and pick-up, park in a lined space and tell your child where to meet you, do not park against the fences on the roadway. The Police will be ticketing people this season.
Cheerleading FAQ’s
Q: What is the cutoff for registering for the season?
A: June 15th is the last date registration will be accepted without a late fee of $50. After June 15th you should contact the cheerleading director (see contacts page). The only exception is a family that has moved into one of the 3 towns from an address outside of the area after April 1st. The cutoff for new residents is August 10th, at this point we are well into our summer practices and final rosters are due to the county. No Exceptions!
Q: What level will my child play?
A: Children are first placed by their birth dates and age as of the start of the season (August 1st). The numbers of squads are determined by the enrollment and start with a Varsity squad and work their way down to PeeWee.
Q: Can I get a refund of my participation fee?
A: The Grayhawks will not provide any refund after the uniform is distributed or August 1st which ever occurs first.
Q: How should I handle problems with coaches?
A: Respect the fact that they are volunteers and doing the best job they can. If you have a problem, talk to the head coach about your issues or concerns. If you do not feel they adequately addressed the concern, visit www.grayhawks.org, where you can email the cheerleadingdirector@grayhawks.org, if you still do not feel the issue was addressed, email the Grayhawks Board President and the matter will be referred to the Board for discussion. All emails MUST INCLUDE your phone contact so we can fully understand your concerns.
Q: What equipment do I need?
A: The Grayhawks provide the basic uniform required, skirt, shirt, pom-poms and socks. All cheerleaders MUST purchase their own WHITE turtleneck, bloomers, tan tights and WHITE sneakers. All cheerleaders must return ALL Grayhawks supplied equipment (except the socks) at the end of the season.
Q: How can I become a coach?
A: There is a check box on the player registration form, check off the coach box. This must be followed up by completing a coaching application and mailing it to the Grayhawks by the May 1st cutoff date. Coaches should complete the Rutgers coaching certification course before the season begins.
Q: If my child does not make practices, will they be able to cheer?
A: Most likely, however, this is up to the coach. Practices are typically 2 days a week, days and frequency may change during the season depending on the level and the coaching staff. In order to develop skills, learn dances, get prepared for the games and help the team, we strongly recommend attending all or as many practices as possible. Your child missing too many practices is a disservice to the rest of the team who are working hard everyday.
Q: When are the games played?
A: Flag, pre-clinic, clinic and Super Peewee are considered Saturday levels and most games are played Saturday morning and sometimes in early afternoon. Peewee, JV and Varsity play primarily Sunday afternoons, sometimes late Saturday afternoon into evening. There is only one game per level each weekend from the weekend after Labor Day in September to typically the first or second week of November. There can be some midweek games as the coaches try to work in additional opportunities to get the kids more playing time.
Q: Where can I park at Boonton High School?
A: You must park in a lined space, we have received several complaints from the Boonton Police department about cars parked on the grass or on the roadway by the practice area entrance. For both drop-off and pick-up, park in a lined space and tell your child where to meet you, do not park against the fences on the roadway. The Police will be ticketing people this season.
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