USA Football, the sport's national governing body in the United States, and the Patriots have recently awarded football equipment grants to youth and high school football programs throughout the New England area based on merit and need.
USA Football partners with the Patriots and all NFL clubs to award equipment grants to youth and high school football programs across the United States. The program has awarded more than $4 million in football equipment through the NFL Youth Football Fund since 2006.
Each selected youth league receives a $1,000 package that offers a variety of football equipment and uniform options to choose from. High schools receive similar packages valued at $1,500. All equipment grants are fulfilled by Riddell, the official helmet and protective equipment partner of USA Football.
"The Patriots have a long history of involvement in community sports and fitness, including youth football programs," said ANDRE TIPPETT, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs. "Participating in sports has a tremendous positive impact in the lives of youth, teaching them values that include teamwork, exercise and hard work. We are proud to again work with USA Football to expand opportunities for children to participate in youth sports."
USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the Patriots, the NFL, each of its other 31 teams. The NFL Youth Football Fund, a joint partnership created by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, provides for approximately 800 football programs to earn an equipment grant from USA Football and NFL teams this season.
"We are pleased to work with USA Football and our teams to donate much-needed equipment to youth leagues," said ALEXIA GALLAGHER, director of the NFL Youth Football Fund. "These grants will help ensure that youngsters who share our love of the game are able to play it safely."
"Even with multiple fundraisers and strict attention to budgets, many well-run youth and high school football programs need help to properly equip their teams," USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK said. "We are proud to be a partner in the Patriots' continued commitment to ensuring great football experiences for the kids, families and volunteers who power this sport in the New England area."
New England area youth and high school programs awarded a 2011 USA Football Equipment Grant:
| ORGANIZATION | CITY |
|---|---|
| North Middlesex Pop Warner | Townsend, Mass. |
| Arlington High School Football | Arlington, Mass |
| Fitchburg High School | Fitchburg, Mass. |
| Leominster Youth Football and Cheer | Leominster, Mass. |
| North Smithfield Xpress Football | Blackstone, Mass. |
| Westfield Youth Football | Westfield, Mass. |
| Aroostook Football | Presque Isle, Maine |
| Five Town Football | Rockport, Maine |
| Colchester High School | Colchester, Vt. |
| Bloomfield Raiders Youth Football League | Bloomfield, Conn |
| Rhode Island Preteen Organization | Providence, R.I. |
About USA Football
USA Football, the sport's national governing body in the United States, inspires participation, and ensures a positive experience for all youth, high school, and other amateur players. The independent non-profit hosts more than 80 football training events annually for coaches, players and youth football league commissioners. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL and its 32 teams and manages U.S. national teams for international competition. Endowed by the NFL and NFL Players Association in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football distributes $1 million annually in equipment grants and offers youth league volunteer background check subsidies. Former NFL team executive Carl Peterson is USA Football's chairman.
