USA Football, the sport's national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the New Orleans Saints recently awarded grants for new equipment, uniforms and other resources to youth and scholastic football programs throughout the New Orleans area.
USA Football's grant program will award over $1.5 million in resources to benefit young athletes in 2018, based on merit, need and a school's or sports organization's commitment to coaching education and best practices. USA Football has awarded more than $10 million in grants to school-based and youth football programs since 2006.
Grants are valued up to $1,500 apiece and provide the following resources from USA Football partners:
- Tackle football equipment from Riddell
- Flag football equipment from NFL FLAG powered by USA Football
- Uniforms from Badger Sportswear
- Practice equipment from Tackle Tube, Shawdowman Sports and Gilman Gear
- Field-building financial support from FieldTurf Background checks from Peopletrail
- Field equipment from Port-A-Field
USA Football grants are funded by the NFL Foundation, the league's nonprofit organization representing its 32 clubs. Its mission is to support the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football and the communities which support the game. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL.
"The NFL Foundation is proud to work with USA Football and our clubs to donate much-needed resources and equipment to youth football leagues and school-based football programs across the country," said Alexia Gallagher, Executive Director of the NFL Foundation. "These efforts will help to ensure that young athletes have a safer and more sustainable environment to play in and enjoy a positive football experience overall."
"USA Football, in partnership with the New Orleans Saints, the NFL Foundation and our partners, is pleased to assist leagues and school-based programs by providing resources and equipment to help young athletes have a great football experience," said USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck. "Supporting programs through our grants is one of the ways for us to show how we value the thousands of athletic directors, coaches and youth league leaders who do inspiring work for their kids through football."
"Providing equipment, uniforms and coaching to local area schools will inspire kids to learn important life lessons from the game of football including teamwork, respect and friendship," said New Orleans Saints President Dennis Lauscha. "With the help of the NFL Foundation and USA Football, we are excited to be a part of youth football development and ensure the growth of youth and scholastic football programs throughout the New Orleans region."
New Orleans area youth and school-based school programs awarded a 2018 USA Football Grant:
2nd 2 None Sports Incorporated - Natchez, MS
Abbeville High School - Abbeville, LA
Alfred Bonnabel - Kenner, LA
Ascension Saints Youth Football and Cheer - Gonzales, LA
Avoyelles High School - Moreauville, LA
Baker Junior Buffs - Zachary, LA
Baton Rouge Cardinals Youth Organization - Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge Youth Sports Alliance - Baton Rouge, LA
Bay Springs Junior High Football - Bay Springs, MS
Benjamin Franklin High School - New Orleans, LA
Big Man University Developmental Foundation - Cleveland, MS
Boys & Girls Clubs of East Mississippi - Meridian, MS
Carencro High Football - Lafayette, LA
Carencro Youth Athletics Association - Lafayette, LA
Columbus Falcons Youth Football - Columbus, MS
Darrow Chargers Youth Football Incorporated - Gonzales, LA
Dawg Pound Association - Picayune, MS
Estelle Playground Booster Club - Marrero, LA
Gulf Coast Youth Association - Gulfport, MS
Hammond Youth Football Association - Hammond, LA
Haynesville High School - Haynesville, LA
Help Care Services Foundation formerly North Sunflower Hurricanes Inc. - Ruleville, MS
Homer High School - Homer, LA
I12 Saints Football - Independence, LA
Independence High School and Junior High School - Coldwater, MS
Istrouma High School - Baton Rouge, LA
JPRD Bulldogs - Metairie, LA
Kenilworth Knights Park - Saint Bernard, LA
Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy - Kenner, LA
Kossuth High School - Corinth, MS
Lafayette Rams Youth Football Organization - Lafayette, LA
Laplace Elementary School - LaPlace, LA
Live Oak Mustangs Youth Football & Cheer - Denham Springs, LA
Livingston Collegiate Academy - New Orleans, LA
LSU Health Foundation, New Orleans/LSU Health Fitness - New Orleans, LA
Minden Tiger - Minden, LA
Mississippi Gators Youth Football and Cheer - Jackson, MS
MISSISSIPPI YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION, INC - Jackson, MS
Natchez Middle School Football Team - Natchez, MS
New Orleans Panthers Youth Football Organization - Laplace, LA
North Side High School (Formerly Broad Street High and John F. Kennedy Memorial High) - Shelby, MS
Northwest Jackson Middle School - Jackson, MS
Oak Grove High School - Oak Grove, LA
Oak Grove Youth Football League - Hattiesburg, MS
Oakdale Youth Football - Oakdale, LA
Our Kids Matter of Mississippi INC - Olive Branch, MS
Pine Junior Athletic Football Association - Franklinton, LA
Raider Athletics - New Orleans, LA
SciTech Academy - ReNEW Schools Charter Management Organization - New Orleans, LA
South Jackson Cowboys - Jackson, MS
South Jackson Eagles Youth Football - Jackson, MS
South Jackson Ravens Youth Football - Jackson, MS
Southeast Youth Football Organization - Meridian, MS
Southerns Youth Movements - Richwood, LA
Springfield High School - Springfield, LA
Thrive Academy Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge, LA
Union Public School District - Union, MS
Unity Christian Academy - Elizabeth, MS
Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network - Centreville, MS
Yazoo City High School - Yazoo City, MS
Yazoo City Parks and Recreation - Yazoo City, MS
Yazoo City Parks and Recreation Commission - Yazoo City, MS
About USA Football: USA Football designs and delivers premier educational, developmental and competitive programs to advance and grow the sport. As the sport's national governing body, member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and organizer of the U.S. National Team for international competition, USA Football partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players.
About The NFL Foundation: The National Football League Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. For more information on The NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org.
