When does registration open?
Spring registration opens November 12 and closes February 11, 2024.
Fall registration opens on April 2nd and will close at midnight on Sunday, August 1, 2024.
(Fall Late fee $30.00 August 2nd-August 18th) *Dates subject to change
Every season we get calls after registration closes, so don't wait!
When does the season start?
Spring Season starts on Sunday, March 10, 2024 and ends Sunday, April 21st (rookie division) and April 28, 2024 (upper division).
Fall Season starts on Sunday, September 22, 2024 and ends October 27th (rookie division) and Sunday, November 3, 2024 (upper division).
*Dates subject to change
What does the registration fee include?
• Official NFL team identified reversible jersey
• NEW Team Branded NFL flag belt (rookie division uses a small flag belt)
• Rookie Division - 6 games
• Upper Division - 7 games (Including playoffs and championship (upper divisions only)
Refund policy - (NO refunds will be issued after a certain date, depending on season, please check our League Registration page for the refund details).
*Late registrations will not be refunded
*There is a $15 processing fee for all refunds
*Please allow 2 weeks for processing refunds
If registration has closed, can I still register my child?
In most cases, yes, however, late registration is at the discretion of the League/Coaches. There will be a $30 late fee added to the registration cost and possibly an expedited shipping cost for the jersey and flag, if equipment has already been ordered. Please contact us for more details at [email protected] or at (562) 285-7747.
I just registered for the upcoming season, what happens next?
You will receive an email confirmation from the league. You should hear from the league or coach at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the season advising you of practice location, date, and time. Don't forget to register as a coach. Some of the perks are noted below:
Coaching perks:
Pick the day, time, and location for practice
Pick NFL Team Name & Jersey's (if available)
Coaches meeting with our commissioners to review rules, practice tips, etc.
It's exciting, fulfilling, and gives you the opportunity to teach skills to a new generation of players
What is a Team Sponsorship:
Our league does not require fundraisers, candy/raffles/car washes, as some leagues. We require a company Sponsorship to help offset the costs to parents. The registration fees for GAMEPLAN SPORTS does not cover all of the costs to participate, and this is where the Team Sponsorship picks up. Many employers participate in local sponsorships, so if any additional information is requested for GAMEPLAN SPORTS feel free to contact us at: [email protected]
Each team sponsor will have their information posted on our website for the duration of the season.
All Sponsorships to the league are non-refundable.
What is the Team Sponsorship used for?
Items like team medals/trophies, playoff/championship fees and equipment incidentals are purchased with Sponsorship monies, so these funds are critical to the performance of the league. This fee DOES NOT cover the jerseys and flag belt.
How much is the Team Sponsorship?
Currently, each team has a minimum $130 Sponsorship requirement. As compared to other local leagues, our requirement is significantly lower. Some leagues require a $250+ per team sponsorship. Teams will not be issued jerseys until the sponsorship form is completed and all sponsorship money turned in.
How does my team go about getting this Team Sponsorship?
Getting a team sponsorship can be as easy as visiting a local establishment that you frequent, and asking them to fund your teams’ requirement. Some parents work at companies that also sponsor; please check with your Human Resources department. Generally speaking, companies like sponsorships because they receive a tax deduction for giving them. It is also a good way to keep costs down, and free up time for busy families from having to pay a higher registration fee, or doing candy/raffle sales. If at anytime, an establishment needs something in written form about GAMEPLAN SPORTS, please contact us at: [email protected]
Can I "buy-out" of the Team Sponsorship?
If your team does not want to get a local business to sponsor the team, your can unanimously decide to buy-out. The requirement must be equally divided among parents, and paid by the due date -- check with your coach for this date. Remember, everyone on your team must agree to this, this is a TEAM effort, not just a player.
Photos: Some leagues will have a photographer come out to take photos/video for marketing purposes, is this the case with your league?
Yes, there are times that we will have a company send out a photographer to take photos and/or video tape our league for marketing purposes.
See Photography disclaimer: By participating in the GAMEPLAN SPORTS program, I am agreeing to have my child photographed, interviewed and/ or video-taped by league approved photographers/videographers for use in promotional materials, brochures, pamphlets, websites or social media to help promote the league. It is against GAMEPLAN SPORTS policies for any parent, relative or otherwise to photograph or video tape another player or team other than his/her own. Violation of this rule will result in immediate dismissal from the league with no refund. Videotaping: By participating in the GAMEPLAN SPORTS program, you agree that you and any of your guests understand that the only videotaping allowed, is the videotaping of your own child or relative. Absolutely NO videotaping of warm-ups, practices, or any games where your own kids are not playing. Violation of this rule could result in immediate expulsion from the league with no refund.
DIVISIONS:
Co-ed: PreK (3-4 year olds), TK/Kindergarten, 1st - 2nd Grade, 3rd - 4th Grade, 5th - 6th Grade and 7th - 8th grade.
Females In Flag: 7th-12th grade & Boys High School: 9th-12th grade. (division availability will depend on the number of registrants)
Kids can “play up” a division (within reason, pending league approval). A child can NOT “play down” no matter the circumstance. Divisions are determined by grade/age and not by size.
*Please note that the age and/or grade will be confirmed during our registration process and refunds will not be issued for this disqualification from play due to falsified information.
TEAM REQUESTS:
If your child wishes to be on a specific team, or play with a specific friend, please mention it in the "Friend or Coach" requests section when registering. You MUST include the first and last name of the person you would like for your child to play with. This will help your chances of your child being placed with the correct player/coach. All requests will be taken in to consideration and granted only if space is available on the team.
ROSTERS:
Rosters will be locked a few days after registration ends. Teams are selected by the league and generally carry between 8-10 kids for the upper divisions and 5-6 kids for the rookie divisions and is subject to the coach’s discretion, and number enrolled. Smaller teams are preferred, but with kids playing multiple sports, teams need to make sure they can afford to miss a player or two.
JERSEYS:
We encourage parents to order at least 1 size up, as kids may grow from the time you register to the time we place the jersey order.
Please note, NFL Flag will not accept returns or exchanges. Please make sure to order the right size. If a jersey is to be re-ordered due to a parent ordering the wrong size, the re-order fee can be up to $55 plus shipping and handling.
LOCATION, SCHEDULE & GAME TIMES:
Games are held on Sundays and played at Stephen Foster Elementary School in the city of Lakewood. Our Rookie Divisions, PreK & TK/Kinder can start anywhere from 11:00am thru 1pm (times can change depending on number of teams) & our Upper Divisions, 1st-12th grade can start anywhere from 11:00am thru 4pm (depending on number of teams). The season schedule will be posted online once finalized and this can be anywhere from a week to 48hrs prior to the first game. You will be alerted by email once the schedule has been posted. We encourage parents to look at the game schedule weekly as changes may occur.
WEATHER:
Will games still be played if it rains -- hard? In most cases, games will still be played during light rain. If it begins to rain "hard", the league may deem it a safety concern, and may cancel the game(s). When in doubt, feel free to contact us at (562)285-7747.
If a game is canceled due to weather or other unforeseeable circumstances, all efforts will be made to reschedule that game. However, due to time restraints and/or field usage conflicts, some games may not be made up. It will be the decision of the League Administration along with BUSD Field Coordinator if the games are made up. Special circumstances may be taken into consideration.
PRACTICE:
Generally, teams practice once a week, for 1 to 2 hours – depending on the team, age group and coach. A coach may opt to have a second practice, but it is not required. Location will be selected by the coach based on participant location. Teams will start practicing in early September.
Any further questions, please contact us at [email protected] or at (562) 285-7747
*GAMEPLAN SPORTS (GPS) reserves the right to refuse or cancel service to anyone at any time.*
Follow us on Instagram: gameplan_gps