By Steve Williams
The West Youth Football program, a member of the local Youth Athletic Conference (YAC), has been in existence for many years and has won many championship titles, and this season has its first flag football team for ages 3 to 6-year-olds.
“It’s giving some of the youngest athletes in our area the chance to experience teamwork, sportsmanship, and the fundamentals of football in a fun, encouraging environment,” said Katie Ingram, a parent of one of the team’s 20 players, who contacted The Knoxville Focus about the new program last week.
“These kids are just beginning their football journeys, and it’s been amazing to watch their confidence grow each week,” added Ingram. “Behind the scenes, the coaches and volunteers have worked hard to build this program from the ground up, creating an opportunity that didn’t previously exist for children this age.”
In a way, it’s like the seeds have been planted in a flower bed and this will be the first time for them to see and smell the blossoms.
“Exactly,” said head coach Devante Patrick, a former West High School player. “So far I’ve just been teaching them the fundamentals, attacking the hip, holding the ball right, down-set-hut and everybody go on hut. We get the person with the ball flag, just little stuff like that. Just been teaching them the basics and trying to make sure they get football before they move on to the next level. Because some of these kids I’m going to have next year.”
There is a big difference between 3- and 6-year-olds.
“You’ve just got to learn how to balance out the emotions and stuff like that, because they are young kids and it’s their first year ever doing anything out in the hot sun. It’s kind of hard just getting even the 6-year-olds to lock in with you. They turn around and start acting like the 4-year-olds, you know, but it’s all good though. They all are learning.”
By the end of their first season, Coach Patrick said, “I just want to teach them perseverance basically. I just want them to be able to persevere through anything.”
As a parent of one of the players, Ingram ended her comments with, “I believe this is a feel-good community story that highlights youth sports, dedicated volunteers, and the positive impact these programs have on local families.”
Taymika Patrick is the commissioner of the West youth football program, which currently also has a fifth-grade team.
The Youth Athletic Conference will begin its season Saturday. The West flag team will play its first official game at Farragut High at 8:30 a.m. West’s first home game will be on August 22, starting at 8:30.
