New Gilberts Grizzlies attack the football season
An ordinary football team with cute little players - that may be what you're watching these evenings along a Big Timber Road field in Gilberts, but it's not what you're seeing.
Your eyes are gazing on the Gilberts Grizzlies, a new Pop Warner football team whose members and parents are roaring for change in this once sleeping little Kane County farm town.
Two teams of boys from 5-12 years old were formed and are playing games this year, after their parents grew tired of taking them to neighboring towns to play pre-high school football for such teams as the Algonquin Argonauts or the Junior Chargers in Carpentersville.
"Why should we have to take our kids to Dundee, Hampshire or Algonquin to play football?" asked Mike Curran, president of the Gilberts Grizzlies team. "We wanted a program for our kids in Gilberts so we started one.
"This has been five years in the making."
Gilberts, a village of more than 5,000 residents, doesn't have a park district. Nor does it have a park commission that plans organized sports. Neighboring Dundee Township has a park district and Algonquin has a parks commission. Both towns also has football programs for kids who haven't reached high school.
"Not all of our players are from Gilberts," said Megan Nystrom, fundraising coordinator "We have some from Sleepy Hollow and Lake in the Hills. Most of them are from Gilberts though."
No matter where they live, they are learning the game of football during practices and the eight games that are scheduled for September and October.
Organizers joined the national Pop Warner league because it's known for having strict rules for their player's academic performance. All the 50 players on the two Gilberts teams must have at least a "C" average in school.
The league also has a good reputation of teaching youngsters about the game.
"We don't coddle the students. Each and every one of the players practices and will have a chance to play," Curran said. "They'll get dirty and they'll learn the game. And if they decide to go out for football when they get to high school, they'll already know the game."
Their parents also are learning a few things, especially how much it cost to play football in Gilberts.
Organizers formed two teams. Boys from 5-8 years old play on the Mighty Mights. Those 9-12 years old will play on the Pee Wee team. Each will be running around in $300 worth of equipment.
"The jerseys alone cost $75 each," Nystrom said. "Then, there's the helmets and the pants. It doesn't include the cleats though."
Money for other expenses, such as the purchase of practice equipment, was raised through the sale of candy.
"We sold 100 cases of candy bars, but it was worth it," Nystrom said. "We're giving our kids a chance to play football in their own town."
More money and sponsors are still needed, however.
For information on the Gilberts Grizzlies, visit gyfca.com.