frequently Asked Questions

New to the program? Find answers to commonly asked questions, or email us at richmondyfc@gmail.com.

Registration Questions

When does registration open?

Registration will open on March 1st for both Football and Cheer Programs. Cheer registration will close on April 14th, 2025 and football registration will close on May 30th, 2025. 

How much does registration cost? 

Cheerleading Registration is $275.00 and includes the following items;

  • Sideline Cheer (approx. 8 games)
  • Competition Cheer (Regional competition takes place in October)
  • Uniform -- Shell, Skirt, Bodysuit, Skirt, Shoes, Poms

Football Registration is $275.00 and includes the following items; 

  • Helmet (upgrades available for additional costs)
  • Shoulder pads
  • Uniform -- Jersey, Pants, and Socks 
Flag Football Registration is $75.00 and includes the following items; 

  • Flag Belt
  • Jersey

What are the age groups for each division? 

Divisions are separated by age, based on your child's age as of July 1st, 2025. 

  • Flag Division - Ages 5-6
  • Freshman Division - Ages 7-8
  • Junior Varsity (JV) Division - Ages 9-10
  • Varsity Division - Ages 11-12

Are there any program discounts available? 

RYFC offers a 20% discount per athlete if you are enrolling three (3) or more kids (in both cheer and football programs). If you have three (3) or more athletes, please contact us at richmondyfc@gmail.com to receive your single use discount code. Code will be applied at checkout during your registration.  

If you are experiencing financial hardships, please select the box for our Financial Hardship Program during registration to receive more information. You will be contacted by a board member to discuss available options. Approval depends on funds available and situation. 

What are my payment options? 

Acceptable forms of payment include Cash, Check, or Card. 

To pay by check or cash, you may bring payment to;

Northstar Bank- Colby Green

66550 Gratiot Ave.

Lennox, MI 48062


Mail payment to;

P.O. Box 806

Richmond, MI 48062

How many athletes are on a team?

Football teams range from approximately 30-45 athletes for the Freshman, JV, and Varsity teams. Flag football teams typically have around 12 kids per team. 

Cheerleading teams have a max of 32 athletes per division and are split into two teams. Each team cannot have more then 16 athletes. 

I need to cancel my child's registration. 

You can request a refund by filling out the Refund Form. Once uniforms are ordered, we cannot process any refunds. Any refunds processed will not include processing fees. 

How do I or my business become a sponsor? 


Our program relies heavily on the generous support of our sponsors. If you would like to be a sponsor, you can add a sponsorship package during the registration of any cheer or football player. 

If you do not have an athlete but would like to sponsor, you may contact us as richmondyfc@gmail.com. 

Program  

Where are practices held? 

Football practices take place on the practice field in between the Richmond Middle School and High School. 

Cheer practices rotate on a schedule, and take place at the Richmond High School, Richmond Middle School, and Will L. Lee Elementary school. 

Does my child have to attend tryouts? 

The Richmond Youth Football and Cheer Program does not have tryouts to be on a team. Flag football teams will have a Skills Assessment prior to the season starting to aid coaches in evenly dividing teams.  

What equipment will my child need? 

The following equipment will NOT be provided by RYFC, but required:

  • Flag Football: Mouthguard (not tethered) / Water Bottle / Cleats or athletic shoes
  • Freshman, JV, Varsity Football: Mouthguard with tether / cleats / practice pants / practice jersey / Water Bottle
  • All Cheer Divisions: Black Leggings / Water Bottle

How do I choose my child's uniform size? 

Both football and cheer programs host Sizing Clinics, in which you will be able to try on sample sizes of uniforms. It is required that you attend one of the sizing clinics hosted in order to properly size your child for the proper safety equipment and uniform. 

The only division that will be asked for shirt size during registration is Flag football. Please provide your child's shirt size at time of registration. Those registered for Flag Football do not need to attend a sizing clinic. 

Cheer Sizing Clinics will be April 22nd and April 29th at the Richmond Auditorium 

Football Sizing Clinic dates are TBD

Why does my child need a Sports Physical? 

Hometown Football League in conjuncture with the MHSAA guidelines, mandates that all participating athletes must have a pre-participation physical exam completed on or after April 15 of the current year for eligibility.  

Download the MHSAA Sports Physical Form HERE

Flag Football and Flag Cheer athletes do NOT need a sports physical on file. 

How long is the season? 

Each season includes a pre-season scrimmage with seven week regular season (approx. 3-4 homes games). Depending on end of season standings, there may be additional games for HFL Playoffs, which include a semi-finals and championship game. Playoff locations for the 2025 season are TBD.

How do I get my athletes uniform and equipment? 

Prior to practices beginning, you will have the opportunity to attend a uniform pickup event, typically held in July. This is your opportunity to pick up your child's safety equipment and uniform for the season.

If you cannot attend the pick up event, you can also acquire items during the first week of practice.

Volunteering 

What is a hold check?

A hold check of $150.00 is due for each child to have on file for the season, up to (2) children. This check is to ensure the necessary volunteer hours are completed, and can also be used to cover costs of any missing or damages equipment at the end of the season. 

What are the volunteer requirements?

The Richmond Youth Football and Cheer Program is run solely on volunteers, from our board members and coaches to our concession stand. In order to host a successful home game, we do require a number of parent volunteers. For each child you have registered within the program, you must complete one volunteer session, up to a max of two sessions. Volunteer sessions are approx. 3 hours.

What if I cannot complete my required volunteer sessions?

If you cannot complete the necessary volunteer requirements, someone can complete them in your place. Your proxy must be 16 years of age or older. Sign up for the desired volunteer session, and then the proxy will sign in, with the reference of your child's name. If you cannot find a proxy or complete the required hours, your hold check will be cashed at the end of the season. 

How do I sign up to be a coach?

The Richmond Youth Football and Cheer Program is dependent on its volunteer coaches. If you would like to sign up to coach for the 2025 season, add the preferred position when you register your child.

Instructions available HERE 

By applying for a coach position, you agree to a background check. Coaches are expected to commit to attending practices, games and other events. 

How can I get involved with the Richmond Youth Football and Cheer Board?

We have several open positions for those interested in getting more involved with our program. Contact us at richmondyfc@gmail.com to find out which positions are available. 

Cheerleading 

What is Competition Cheer vs. Sideline Cheer?

Sideline cheer primarily supports our youth football teams during regular season and playoff games. Sideline is a staple in the gameday experience, and promotes spirit and crowd encouragement. Routines are generally simpler and include chants, basic stunts, and includes the use of Poms. 

Competition cheer involves league cheer teams competing against each other at a regional event. Competition routines are more complex and include more gymnastics, tumbling and dance. These routines are tightly choreographed and timed, often set to music. 

What does it mean if my child is "waitlisted" during registration?

Per MHSAA regulations, a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of sixteen (16) team members are allowed on the floor for competition in Rounds. Because of this our cheer registration is capped at 32 athletes per age division, to create 2 Richmond teams. 

If your child was waitlisted, you will be contacted after registration closes. Dependent on skill a child's skill level achieved, we may be able to place younger athletes in older age divisions to accommodate waitlisted numbers.  

Your child's registration must be paid in full in order for us to assign them to a roster.  

What skills can my Cheerleader work towards?

Not all skills listed are required per the RYFC program, however working towards these skills and advancing to the next skill will prepare them for Middle School and High School programs. 

Flexibility Category

Any Kick

Side Split

Heel Stretch 

Switch Split

Triple Splits

Cartwheel

Valdez


Jumping Category

Spread Eagle, Tuck

Double Hook

Double 9

Front Hurdler

Herkie

Pike

Toe Touch

Universal

Tumbling Category

Forward Roll

Backward Roll

Cartwheel

Handstand Forward Roll

Far Arm and Near Arm Cartwheel

Round Off

Back & Front Handspring

Back & Front Walkover

Ariel Cartwheel

Standing Back Tuck

Football  

How is playing time allocated?

Playing time is allocated based on a number of factors, including age division, attendance, behavior and game situation. All coaches are urged to rotate players into game play, however situations can alter a players ability to play. 

Our first priority is each players safety, if a coach deems a player's safety is called into question then that player may be removed from the field. 

If your child misses required practice time, their ability to participate during a game is restricted. Please review the Attendance Policy for additional details. 

Additionally, if a player does not adhere to the Code on Conduct, been suspended from school or behaved in a way that is not congruent with our mission statement, that player may see a reduction in play time. In this case, a meeting between the player, coach and parent/guardian may be required to continue participation. 

Are there weight requirements?

The Hometown Football League does set a weight restriction per age division that every program must adhere too. Athletes that weigh in over the allowed weight are marked with a "stripe" on their helmet. This stripe restricts which positions and actions the player can participate in. 

Those weight limits are as follows; 

Freshman Division

         Single Stripe: 80lbs +

         Double Stripe: 95lbs+


Junior Varsity Division

         Single Stripe: 100lbs +

         Double Stripe: 125lbs +


Varsity Division

         Single Stripe: 130lbs +

         Double Stripe: 155lbs +

Flag Football does not adhere to a weight restriction. 

What are the available helmet upgrade options?

Each child enrolled in the football program will receive a Riddell Speed Icon helmet. If you choose, you can upgrade your helmet for one season to a Riddell Speed Flex helmet for $100.00. This can be added to your registration cart during regular program registration or after your have finalized program registration by contacting us at richmondyfc@gmail.com.  

In the 2024 registration I paid for my child to have a two year helmet upgrade, how do I register them this season?

If you paid for a two year helmet upgrade to a Speed Icon in 2024, you will not need to do anything during your registration. During sizing we will ensure your child is sized for the correct helmet. 

If you paid for a two year upgrade to a Speed Flex, an email was sent to you on February 13th, 2025 with a discount code. You will add the helmet upgrade to your registration, and this single use code will deduct the cost of the upgrade from your registration.

Anyone who chooses to upgrade for the 2025 season for the first time, helmet upgrades are now year by year.