Colchester Cougars is a member of the Southern New England Youth Football Conference (SNEYFC).  The SNEYFC is an 14-town league that plays 1 game per week that starts in September.  Games can be played on Saturday nights but are usually played on Sundays, weekends need to be flexible. Over the years, Cougars have made it to the playoffs, which is an additional 2 weeks of playoffs and the championship game will be played inn November.  Cheerleaders attend the SNEYFC competition. Our Awards banquet is held in December for all athletes that complete the season.

All Colchester residents and residents of East Hampton, East Haddam/Moodus, Salem, Bozrah and Lebanon are eligible if the football player meets the listed age and weight requirements, cheerleaders only need to meet the listed age requirement.  There are no tryouts for football or cheerleading and each section is a coed sport.

Cougar camps are optional but, it is a good introduction to the fundamentals of the sports and allows the athletes time to get to know their teammates. Football camp dates are TBD.

Football players will have a mandatory requirement to attend weigh-ins prior to the first game. Time/Date/Location is TBD but will be provided ASAP.  In order to play in Sunday's games all players must make weight.  If the player does not attend or does not make weight at the mandatory weigh-in, they will need to fulfill additional weigh-in requirements and it may delay their ability to play in future games.   

Our season starts August 1st at the Colchester Recplex, Field - R8, all practices and home games will be on this field unless otherwise notified.  We start our first week conditioning the football players and cheerleaders.  This week is a very important week as your athlete is required to have 10 hours of conditioning before starting the season. If you are going to be away this week you will need to talk to the Head Coach Coordinators about making up the conditioning hours before your child can move forward. Cougars encourages that your child attends conditioning week as it increases your child's comfort level and team building for the entire squad to do this together. It's important for your athletes to attend practices as it conditions and teaches your athletes their position and improves on their skills to reduce injuries to themselves and their teammates.  

Regular Practices are Monday - Friday (football) and Monday -Thursday (cheerleading) 6-8 pm, until school starts then they will drop down to three nights a week.  Usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 6-8 pm except D squad will reduce to 6-7:30 pm.  Practice nights are subject to change due to weather or school events. Cougars will not practice the night before Colchester public school starts.  The cheerleaders will be moved into a school gym once school starts, they will be notified by their head coach as to when the switch will be made and what days of the week practice will be held.  School practices are CLOSED with only cheerleaders, coaches and authorized CYF officials present. 

Football scrimmages - there are usually two planned before the season starts, they can be during the week or on the weekends. All required uniforms are loaned to the athletes and is covered in the registration fee, however, if items are not returned or are damaged you will be billed for the applicable item.  You will be contacted or instructed as to when the uniform fittings are, we take pride in fitting your child correctly, and this may take some time so please be patient with your equipment coordinators.  

Football players will be required to have an athlete’s cup and cleats. Cheerleaders will have to purchase a pair of cheer sneakers that they will be fitted for during uniform fittings.  We do have a cleat and sneaker swap bucket at the field you can look for your size or donated any cleats or sneakers that are no longer being used.

Coaches are required to pass a national background check; they are Head's Up and concussion certified.  Head's Up is an NFL supported program that teaches proper techniques to help reduce injuries and concussions. Safety is very important to us!

Our program is run strictly by volunteers, and in order to keep the costs of the registration fees down parents have a requirement to participate in the concession stand and other game day activities along with our fundraiser.   

Playing time at every level is based on several criteria, including player safety, participation in practice and skill level.  A balance of developing players, winning games, and having fun is most important for coaches at every level. Our goal is to teach kids to love this game and move them to the next level year after year, right through high school.  

Football and cheerleading are both very dedicated sports, however, it is one that will teach your child how to play hard, work as a team towards a common goal and good sportsmanship!