Carolina Youth Arena Football League (CYAFL) Holds Initial Meeting:New Youth Football League Taking Shape

Carolina Youth Arena Football League (CYAFL) Holds Initial Meeting
By: D.J. Wagner, Staff Writer

Saturday at Kickback Jack’s in High Point the initial meeting of the Carolina Cobras (NAL) and leaders of various youth teams met to go over what is happening this year with the CYAFL.

Founded by Youth Team Development Coach Brandon Negron and Cobra’s Head Coach Josh Resignalo, the CYAFL is the only Youth Indoor Football League in North Carolina. Saturday, they met with representatives from 11 youth teams in the area to go over the initial plans for the 2020 CYAFL inaugural season. This league will have 12, and up to 14 teams, with 4 in each of the age groups of 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13 years old. The great part of the league is that the kids will be playing at the famed Greensboro Coliseum on the same field as the Carolina Cobras. This is full contact football and played by the same rules as the Cobras, it will be 8 on 8 action. The Carolina Cobras have structured the CYAFL to suit the needs of the select football players in the area and to set a new standard for youth football. The biggest reason for the Carolina Cobras to set up this league is simple. The Cobras don’t want to just be known for bringing the highest pace scoring and football action in the Triad area, but to be part of this growing community in as many different opportunities as possible.

I asked Chris Justice, the assistant coach with the Archdale and Trinity (A&T) Outlaws, which have complete programs from ages six to thirteen years old, why this league was important and he said, “Getting those kids in the arena at this level is so cool. Because they don’t have the opportunity to do this anywhere else. It is all about the kids, teaching them, learning them and to get that experience it is just unprecedented. As soon as I got the text about the league I was like ‘MAN!’ I sent it to about 30 people and said ‘hey, this is something we need to do!’ With the weather being so bad , if you have a team, now you will be able to stay together and practice, that is huge too, because that just puts you that much further ahead for the next season. So, for a player and a coach this is just ideal.”

Coach Negron said “My goals are ultimately to continue to look for creative ways to merge our local communities with the Cobras, building interest in our arena football and our fanbase. The CYAFL allows me to do much more. I’ve been privileged to direct several youth football leagues over the years. I’ve always wanted to give kids the same opportunities wherever I’ve been. Opportunities they may never have. Opportunities to excel and feel like superstars. What better a place to do that then every Saturday home game of the Carolina Cobras in the Greensboro Coliseum in front of our players, their parents and hopefully our fans? I’ve never been more excited to build something in my entire youth sports career.”

Some of the benefits the players will receive:
Custom Football Jersey (that they will be able to keep after the season)
Tickets to all Cobras home games (Regular Season)
Discounted Cobras tickets for the parents of the players.

Coach Resignalo said, “I thought it was good turnout, we had 11 teams represented and it was a very good start to getting this put together. Everyone is excited about the information to be able to get back to the parents and their kids and to spread the word to a few more organizations. I think is going to be very successful opportunity for the youth in the Triad. We are wanting to get the community involved with the Cobras and to get the Cobras involved with the community. Giving the youth a platform to continue playing tackle football in the spring/summer. I really want to thank Coach Negron and his wife Donna for setting up the initial meeting and I know he will do an amazing job with this league. I also want to thank Sr Director, Client Development and Season Ticket Sales Brandon Robinson and our staff writer DJ Wagner for coming to help out today.”

If you are not part of a team now, you are not left out, the CYAFL will be registering individuals to teams as well.
If you want more information email Coach Negron at bnegron@carcobras.com or you can reach his cell at 336-471-3667.

ABOUT THE CAROLINA COBRAS
The Carolina Cobras are members of the National Arena League (NAL). Founded in 2017, the Carolina Cobras are starting their third season in 2020 and were the 2018 National Arena League Champions. The Cobras play their home games at the Greensboro Coliseum. Cobra Season Ticket Memberships are on sale now call (336) 445-7232 or visit carcobras.com. Follow the Cobras on Facebook at facebook.com/carcobras, twitter.com/carcobras and instagram.com/carcobras.

ABOUT NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE
The National Arena League was founded in 2016 and hosted its inaugural season in 2017 as the premier league in arena football. The National Arena League will kick off its fourth season in 2020. For more information regarding expansion opportunities or partnerships, contact Commissioner Chris Siegfried at chris@nationalarenaleague.com . For more information about the NAL visit www.nationalarenaleague.com, facebook.com/nationalarenaleauge, twitter.com/NALfootball, Instagram.com/nationalarenaleague.