NEW YORK – The Arena Football League, in conjunction with League partners Russell Athletic, Schutt Sports, Spalding, Pop Warner Little Scholars and USA Football, have declared the month of May as AFL Youth Football Month.

Beginning Friday, May 4, all 19 AFL and all 30 af2 teams will participate in Youth Football Month with an overall goal of increasing awareness of local youth football leagues and driving local program registrations. Each team will distribute a “Pass & Catch” CD to the first 5,000 youths, ages 7-17, that pass through the turnstiles at the teams respective “Youth Football Night.” The CD content, which features Chicago Rush quarterback MATT D’ORAZIO on the cover, includes USA Football-approved passing and catching drills, an interactive game and facts about each AFL and af2 team. The CD is sponsored by USA Football, Schutt Sports and Spalding.

“USA Football’s mission is to aid in the development and growth of youth, high school and international amateur football,” said Scott Hallenbeck, Executive Director of USA Football. “Through unique programs like the AFL’s Youth Football Month, we hope to inspire participation and improve the overall quality of the sport.” 

“All of us at Pop Warner Little Scholars are thrilled to be working so closely with the Arena Football League, especially since Pop Warner is the oldest and largest youth football organization in the world,” said Jon Butler, Executive Director, Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. “We’re exited to help celebrate AFL Youth Football Month. Many AFL players began their careers in Pop Warner, so the relationship is a natural one for them, and it's a huge thrill for our Pop Warner players to meet and interact with the AFL players."

Other activities include pregame, halftime, or postgame youth football games, youth football players participating in pregame ceremonies & coin tosses, and youth football clinics featuring AFL coaching staffs. To find out what activities are planned in your local market, please visit your AFL or af2 team’s Web site.

A complete schedule of AFL Youth Football Nights follows:

* Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday