Registration

Tackle Football Registration

2024 Tackle Football

Please read the all of the information below as RYSI is moving to a different league and requirements have changed!

We are excited to announce that Ridge Youth Tackle Football has officially joined the NJ Suburban Youth Football League!!! All Ridge tackle teams will now compete against some of the best competition in our area - Chatham, Bridgewater, Cranford, Morristown, Summit, Westfield and many more! Ridge home games will also now be played under the lights on Saturdays at Ridge Varsity Field and feature an announcer, music, snacks and much more.

THERE IS A REQUIREMENT THAT THE PLAYER MUST LIVE IN BERNARDS TOWNSHIP. During registration, you must upload a utility bill before completing the registration process. Please have your file ready.

If you do not live in Bernards Township, but your town does not offer an equivalent program, please contact [email protected] before registering.

Ridge Youth Sports Inc. Tackle Football welcomes grades 3rd through 8th. (If your child is in grades K through 5th and would like to play flag football, please see the Flag Football League tab, under the football tab on our home page.) RYSI provides all equipment needed to participate in tackle football, EXCEPT YOUR HELMET. We strongly recommend that if you intend to purchase a new helmet for the 2024 season, you do so as soon as possible..

We welcome every player, of any weight. Games are played throughout the day and into the evening mostly on Saturdays and possibly a Sunday game or two, from September through November. RYSI has partnered with the Suburban Football League and will be competing in its American division. Through this partnership, we will bring an established conference and steady flow of games to the RYSI program. We feel this partnership is in the best interest of Ridge as we usher in the next generation of youth football with a conference alignment offering nearly 20 competitive towns.

Tackle football should be your child’s primary sport for the fall season. Attendance at all practices and games is important to the safety, security and success of each team!

PLEASE NOTE:

Pre-Registration for all age groups will be capped at 25 players. Registrants after the initial 25 in each age group will be placed on a waitlist and additional teams/increased roster sizes will be determined based on player count and coaching staff, equipment, and field availability.

Make sure your son's photo in your account is up-to-date (less than 2 years old). It must be a head shot without hats and sunglasses.

The participants are to be separated and placed into one of the following six (6) levels based primarily upon age and grade. A participant’s age in years and months is calculated from their date of birth to September 1st of the year in which they are participating.

A Level – 7th and 8th Grades – Maximum Age 14 years 6 months – Birthday 3/1/2010

B Level – 6th and 7th Grades – Maximum Age 13 years 6 months - Birthday 3/1/11

C Level – 5th and 6th Grades – Maximum Age 12 years 6 months - Birthday 3/1/12

D Level – 4th and 5th Grades – Maximum Age 11 years 6 months - Birthday 3/1/13

E Level – 4th Grade and down, Maximum Age 10 years 6 months - Birthday 3/1/14

F Level – 3rd Grade and down, Maximum Age 9 years 6 months- Birthday 3/1/15

There is no overall maximum weight limitation at any level, however, participants are restricted from running or handling the ball based upon maximum ball handler weight limits as listed below. Ball handlers are pre-qualified at the beginning of the season during an official weigh-in and must be weighed and qualify again prior to the start of any league-sanctioned game.

A Level – Maximum weight for Ball Handlers – 160 pounds

B Level – Maximum weight for Ball Handlers – 135 pounds

C Level – Maximum weight for Ball Handlers – 120 pounds

D Level – Maximum weight for Ball Handlers – 105 pounds

E Level – Maximum weight for Ball Handlers – 95 pounds

F Level – Maximum weight for Ball Handlers – 90 pounds

Our ability to offer these age/grade-based programs will depend on two factors: Sufficient interest and player registrations, as well as sufficient parent volunteer coaches who are able and willing to complete the necessary safety, coaching and background check certifications and commit to the season from August to November. Our success as a program depends on parent volunteers.

IMPORTANT DATES:

***All dates are subject to change.

Pre-Season Camp (Optional but recommended)

Tuesday, July 30, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Thursday, August 1, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Tuesday, August 6, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Thursday, August 8, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Summer Practice

Mon, August 12 - Fri, August 16, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Mon August 19 - Fri, August 23, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Mon, August 26 – Thursday, August 29, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Regular season practice

Beginning September 3rd and through November, all team practices will be held on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings.

REGISTRATION FEES:

The cost for the season is $400 and can be paid in full or split into two separate payments (due upon registration and on July 15th). A late fee of $50 will be assessed for all registrations after June 1st.

A $100 uniform/equipment deposit will be required at equipment distribution. This will be paid by check and held by RYSI until all items are returned at the end of the season. The check will not be deposited unless player equipment is not returned.

RYSI will be collecting a $100.00 Work Bond check . Checks will be collected from all families on the first day of practice. We will not be collecting WB online. Jobs to complete WB obligation will be provided by your coach prior to the start of the season. Checks are to be forward dated to 11/15/2024 and are due the first day of your team’s practice.

The Head coach will authorize completion of all obligation. If WB obligation is completed, your check will be shredded.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or at 908-766-1311.

If you have a financial hardship and would like to apply for financial assistance for the program fees only, please request a Financial Aid/Payment Plan Application by emailing [email protected].