Marco Optimist football begins Monday

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Victoria Wright Contributor JR Pierce, left, strains to catch up with Dalton Warren in the parachute resistance run at the Marco Eagles speed and agility camp. The Eagles begin the regular season on Monday.

The Marco Optimist Eagles football teams begin their season with practice on Monday at Mackle Park.

Practices will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday before school opens. Beginning Aug. 22 practices will Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The program is open to boys and girls, ages 7 to 14. The participants must be in that age category by Aug. 1.

The Pee Wee Division is ages 7 to 9, with no weight limit, and 10-year-olds weighing less than 85 pounds.

The Junior Division is ages 10-11, with no weight limit and 12 if weighing less than 115 pounds.

The Senior Division is 12-14, with no weight limit.

Participants need to bring football shoes, shorts and tee shirts. Football gear will be issued during the first week of practice, along with practice uniforms.

Games begin Sept. 10.

The fee to play is $200. For a family it is $200 for the first child and $150 for every subsequent child. Multiple payment plan options are available. A minimum fee of $25 is due at sign up.

Football team participants will learn the fundamentals of football, team work and sportsmanship. The program’s mission is to enable children to benefit from playing tackle football in a safe and structured environment and to teach fundamental values, skills and knowledge that children will use throughout their lives.

Football team signups can be done online at Football@marcooptimistclub.org., or by calling Eddie Webb, Optimist director of football, 394-0494.

Marco Eagles cheerleaders again will be a feature at the games. A new volunteer director of cheerleading is needed to organize the once-a-week practice and game attendance. Those interested can also contact Webb.