​TACKLE FOOTBALL FAQ 

 

Who can play Junior Jaguars (NCJJFA) Tackle Football?

To be eligible to play in the 2025 season (without an age waiver), a player must weigh at least 60 pounds and have been born on or before July 31, 2017, but not before August 1, 2010 and live within the North Creek High School boundary.  With Club approval and parental waiver, a 7-year-old who weighs at least 60 pounds may play. No experience is necessary. Both boys and girls are welcome.

 

What will it cost to play Junior Jaguars Football?

Registration fees for the 2025 season will be based on time of sign up.

NCJJFA offers options for payment at the time of registration:

• Payment in full at the time of registration $475 (Early Bird pricing; March 1st - April 30th)

• $190 down payment at the time of registration, ½ remaining balance paid July 1 & remaining balance paid August 1. 

Fully paid registration is required before a player will be issued equipment or placed on a team.  

NCJJFA is able to provide a limited number of scholarships to players in need. If you need a scholarship, please request the scholarship during online registration.

*Please note: Scholarship Applications need to be submitted and approved in order to secure a roster position on a team this year.

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What does the Football registration fee include?

NCJJFA provides the primary equipment necessary to participate in football. This includes: helmet, shoulder pads, practice and game pants, practice jersey and home/away game jerseys. This equipment must be returned in good condition at the end of the season. Your registration fee also helps to cover some of the expenses required to run a successful program. This includes such items as practice and game field rental fees, officials, league fees, insurance, equipment (helmets, helmet logos, shoulder pads, uniforms), reconditioning helmets, team coaching field bags, website fees, and storage locker rental. NCJJFA must also rely on your assistance through volunteerism and fundraising to cover all costs associated with the program.

*2025 season fee will include: Player and team pictures and a personalized jersey*

 

When does the season start and how long is it?

Our season typically starts the second or third week in August and runs through the end of October followed by playoffs or a consolation game early November.  In general, the teams practice 5 days a week for the first 3 weeks, and then drop-down to 3 weekdays a week with a game on Saturday after Labor Day. Every team plays a minimum of 8 regular season total games and may play additional games in the playoffs or a consolation game.

 

Where and when are practices?

We primarily practice at North Creek High School. Alternative locations may be required depending on the Program's quantities of teams and team sizes.

 

All practices are a maximum of 2 hours long, between the hours of 5:30 and 9:00 PM.  For the first 3 weeks (prior to school starting) practices are Monday thru Friday. Once school is underway in the Northshore School District, practices are reduced to 3 days per week with games on Saturdays.  We work diligently to keep practices on consistent schedules, but there may be times where that schedule can change due to field availability.  

 

What team will my child be on?

NCJJFA fields teams at 5 division levels; Rookie, Cub, Sophomore, Junior Varsity and Varsity. The playing level is determined by an age/weight point system. You can use the age/weight chart on the GEJFA website to determine the level at which your child will play or you can contact NCJJFA.

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Teams are formed each new season and organized by grouping players according to their level and home elementary school boundary to the greatest extent possible, with some balancing to ensure optimal team size.  We do not take “buddy” or “coach” requests when building out rosters but you will very likely have players from your school and surrounding neighborhoods on your team.

Please note that NCJJFA has a split policy that is strictly followed per our GEJFA league’s mandate.  Unlike some other youth sports organizations, NCJJFA cannot consider requests for players to be placed on a certain team or requests for certain coaches.

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The amount of players registering each season, including late registrants, is the main factor that determines the team formation for each level.  Another element considered is when either players are added to or subtracted from a team because they had to move up or down a level, with regards to their age & weight classification.  If the number of registrations allows for at least two teams per level, the team make up will also be adjusted accordingly. Ultimately, it is up to NCJJFA’s discretion to balance the teams for each level in cases where there are inequities in numbers (of players per team). 

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Remember that registration is on a first come, first serve basis.  One factor in deciding team assignment is time of registration, so it is important to register as soon as possible if you want the best chance of your child being placed on a team with his or her classmates.   When teams are full, registration for that team level will be closed so don't delay registering your child and submit all the necessary forms to secure a roster spot on a team. 

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What are my obligations as a parent to the Club?

NCJJFA is a 100% volunteer organization and also relies on fundraising throughout the season.  Parent participation is mandatory to sustain the organization.  NCJJFA has many volunteer opportunities each year ranging from being a Board Member to fund raising, coaching, team parent manager, team videographer, running the score board / clock or down markers at game.

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What is the refund policy?

• 100% until June 30th

• 50% starting July 1st

• No refunds after 1st practice

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Does my child need a physical exam?

NCJJFA & GEJFA do not mandate an annual physical exam for athletes to participate.  We do request, for the safety of your athlete, that parents/guardians disclose any medical conditions or allergies so that we can further keep players safe and have awareness. 

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How many practices must my child attend before being allowed to play in a game?

Attendance will be taken at practices (jamborees included) and games. Per GEJFA league rules, players may not engage in collision contact activities until they have attended two (2) non-collision contact practices outfitted in their practice equipment. Players must then participate in three (3) collision contact practices before participating in a game. Playing time in games may be diminished for those players that fail to attend practice based on Club Policy. 

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Diminished Game Playing Time?

Per GEJFA league rules, Coaches may establish policy on attendance, conditioning, and/or discipline with the approval of their Club President.
Generally, such policy should be Club wide and uniformly applied.

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