In Jericho, there are several sports for youngsters to participate in before they reach the high school level and until now football was not one of them. Jericho residents Steve Brett and Jeff Fauk co-founded the Jericho Youth Football League which kicks off its opening season this September.

Registration for the flag-football league, which is sponsored by the National Football League (NFL) and Nike, will be this Monday and Tuesday. Any child, boy or girl, between the ages of seven and 13 can join the league. "The fact that it is non-contact provides us an opportunity to expose the kids to the fundamentals involved with playing football and then we may bring in contact at a later date," said Brett.

The teams will most likely be divided by age, since weight is not a factor in flag football. The teams will play five against five and there will be eight players on a team.

A pre-registration was held in January and had a very successful turnout. The co-founders received about 140 names of kids saying that they are interested in participating. In the past, children were forced to participate in the football programs started in other towns. Brett and Fauk feel that kids will get a better experience if they are able to play in their own community with people in their neighborhood.

"I think that it is important for children of all ages, especially younger children, to learn about all different types of sports and football should be one of them," said Fauk. "I would go to soccer games on the weekends and see kids watching their brothers and sisters playing soccer and they would be throwing a football around. That is when I knew that it was important to start this league."

The community, school board and athletic department have been very supportive of this league. "Jericho High School's football coach, Mr. Andrews, is very excited about this and has offered his help," said Fauk.

The two co-founders feel that Jericho "is a well-rounded community and has everything to offer to the kids athletically and academically and the one thing that is lacking was a strong football program," said Brett. As of now, the first time that most students are putting on pads is during their freshman year of high school. This leaves Jericho at a disadvantage when compared to other towns with a similar program in place.

There are plans for a clinic to be held in June for participants to gain more experience. Local players, coaches and professionals will be present to help teach the fundamentals before the season starts.

"There has not been anything like this in the history of the neighborhood," said Fauk. "Jericho is known for so many other things and I want football to be one of them. I think it is going to be wonderful. Why prevent your child from having the opportunity to receive a college scholarship for football because we are not offering it?"

Both Brett and Fauk participated in intercollegiate sports themselves and have had experience in leagues such as this. Fauk was involved with the Inwood Buccaneers Football team and Brett assisted his father coaching a football team in New Jersey. They plan to oversee the running of the league.

Anyone interested in coaching or refereeing can call Jeff Fauk at 485-2729, Steve Brett at 978-9541 or send e-mail to jyfl@optonline.net. "Although experience is not required, we are looking for people who are interested in the betterment of the kids," said Brett.

Registration will be Monday, March 20 and Tuesday, March 21 from 6:30 - 8:30 at the Jackson Elementary School. Parents should bring a check covering the registration fee of $80. Children have to be 7 years old as of Sept. 1, 2000, to participate.