RYSA gearing up for football

June 05, 2019

By Michelle Dillon

The Rusk Youth Sports Association is now accepting registrations for cheer and football for youth ages 5-11. Sign ups will be available in person Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 8, June 22, July 6 and July 13 at the Rusk baseball fields on Euclid Street in Rusk.

A meet and greet event is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rusk Civic Center, 555 Euclid St., Rusk.

Parents and players will be introduced to RYSA football board members, meet the coaches and be informed of any rule changes as well as what to expect during the 2019 RYSA Youth Football season. This will also be the final opportunity to register for a team.

Age groups include flag, ages 5-6; freshman, ages 7-8; sophomore, ages 9-10; and juniors, ages 11-12. The age of the participant as of Sunday, Sept. 1, will be considered the team member’s age for the season. A copy of the child’s birth certificate will need to be presented along with a physical or wellness check, in order to register.

Cost to participate is $125 per person; flag football is $50 per participant. Cash and check are acceptable forms of payment. Checks should be made payable to RYSA or Rusk Youth Sports Association.

Practices will begin Monday, July 29, at Rusk High School. Monday, August 5, will be the first day of practice with full pads. Parents are responsible for pants, mouthpiece and cleats. The league will provide helmets, shoulder pads and jersey.

Some coaches are already in place for the 2019 season, but with seven coaches per team, the association is always looking for volunteers. Coaches must be able to pass a background check to be allowed to work with the youth and the head coach of the team gets final say as to who becomes a part of the coaching staff.

For updates, follow the Facebook page Rusk Youth Sports Association-RYSA.

For questions or to volunteer, email ruskyouthsports@yahoo.com. One can also contact the following members by phone: Jaleea Dowling, (903) 284-8083; Matt Gunter, (903) 570-9556; Josh Hubbard, (903) 339-5856; Kevin Davis, (903) 216-8355 or Monica Fisher, (903) 625-1110.