saveyouthfootball.com

Save Youth Football.com’sAssociation Playbook v3.0

Prepared forYouth Football AdvocatesIn the State of California

Prepared byJoe Rafter14-May-23

Table of ContentsVersion.............................................................................................................3

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Introduction.....................................................................................................3Why did We Publish this Playbook...................................................................4Why Should You Read this Playbook................................................................4The Bill.............................................................................................................5Phase 1 – Pre-Game / Preparing Your Association...........................................5

Step 1 – Issue a Press Release at the League Level.....................................5Step 2 – Issue a Press Release at the Association Level...............................5Step 3 – Recruit and Launch the Save Youth Football Captain Role in your Association...................................................................................................6

Phase 2 – Letter Writing Campaign to Engage your Association and Community in Saving Youth Football...............................................................6

Step 1 – Launch the Letter Writing Campaign..............................................6Phase 3 – Phone Calling Campaign to Engage your Association and Community in Saving Youth Football...............................................................8

Step 1 – The Phone Calling Campaign..........................................................8Phase 1 Appendix............................................................................................9

USA Football Key Messages Collateral..........................................................9Pop Warner Best Practices and Collateral.....................................................9American Youth Football Best Practices and Collateral................................9Independent Football League Best Practices and Collateral.........................9Legislative Letter Sample.............................................................................9

National.....................................................................................................9Press Release Samples.................................................................................9

League.......................................................................................................9Association................................................................................................9

Save Youth Football Captain.......................................................................10Phase 2 Appendix..........................................................................................10

League Letter Template.............................................................................10Association Letter Template.......................................................................12Family Letter Template...............................................................................13

Online Resources...........................................................................................15Websites.....................................................................................................15Facebook Resources...................................................................................15Twitter Resources.......................................................................................15Instagram Resources..................................................................................16

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VersionNumber Description1.0 This is the original publication with a complete definition of Phase 1 and

introduction to Phase 2. This version was published before the bill was ever released, and it was influenced by the work of the team up to and through the publish date

1.2 Updated the USA Football Key Messages. Clarified the PWLS Legislative Example. Edited internal document links.

3.0 Added Phase 2 to outline our Letter Writing Campaign including sample lettersAdded Phase 3 to outline our Phone Calling Campaign including sample scriptCreated 3 focused Letter Writing Campaign Documents for each set of stakeholders:

1. League Officials2. Association Officials3. Families

IntroductionIn a press release on February 8, 2018, two California legislators, Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), and Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) have introduced a bill called the Safe Youth Football Act.  This proposed bill calls for the lawful ban of youth tackle football statewide.

In the ensuing days, a group of youth and high school football coaches and administrators gathered via telephone to share perspectives and reactions to these statements by McCarty and Gonzalez Fletcher.

As a result of those discussions, a select group of football coaches and administrators began organizing a grass roots movement because they recognized the impacts if this misguided proposal were to succeed. Tens of thousands of youth football players and their family’s freedom of choice are at risk, in the state of California alone. At the time of this document publication, legislation is being discussed in at least 3 other states, in addition to California. They are Maryland, New York, and Illinois.

This playbook is being published to assist, guide, and loosely coordinate the Save Youth Football movement in the State of California with the intention of:

1. Sharing best practices and talking points and specific actions to be taken to educate and oppose law makers attempting to ban youth football

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2. Inspiring our youth football administrators, coaches, and families to fight to preserve their freedoms by activating the initial phase of our statewide coordinated plan.

We recognize that our voices will have maximum impact if we speak in unison with common themes, not only in California, but in our great nation. We come from many walks of life and as such, we will have many voices offering a common opposition to this ban on youth football. We will unify our local voices in a flawlessly orchestrated manner over a sustained period of time to overwhelm the opposition and continue our good work of evolving the great sport of football.

The Save Youth Football movement is prepared to defend parent’s rights and freedom of choice to decide what sport is best for their child. We have been at the table making the great sport of football safer for years and we want to invite others, including our lawmakers, to learn what we have been doing and join us in our journey. Make no mistake, there are tens of thousands of us who understand what football offers our children, communities and humanity, and we will fight to preserve our rights to play it.

Why did We Publish this PlaybookIf the Assembly Members are successful with passing a law to make youth football illegal, we could see the last season of youth football in the fall of 2018, and even that is not guaranteed if the opposition moves faster. Our opposition is

Counting on us to be complacent and apathetic. Winning the early battles, and more battlefronts are emerging. More organized, funded, prepared, dangerous, and serious that we anticipate.

Why Should You Read this PlaybookOur path to victory is clear. We must

Stop thinking “this will never happen.” It IS happening, in your back yard. Protect our right to choose what sports are best for our children. Engage and educate the opposition in the medical facts of youth football. Continue enabling and evolving football to be safer each play. Embrace the diversity in our demographics and football ideology to keep

ourselves strong and connected across communities. Assemble assertive, data-based, compelling, and visible actions to be made

in a coordinated manner starting with the great State of California and out to our brothers in MD, NY, and IL.

Galvanize the hearts and minds of others by getting out of our “football friendly” communities and into the opposition’s communities to generate purposeful and focused momentum in Sacramento.

Unify our 100% volunteer army of football families and communities. Not panic. Hear the wakeup call. Do not press snooze and roll over for

another 5 minutes. Respect our opposition.

The fate of youth football in California, even America, is in your hands.

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The BillClick here to access bill AB2108.

Phase 1 – Pre-Game / Preparing Your AssociationAs our efforts to engage the opposition take shape, please complete steps 1 through 3 below to declare your position and join us to Save Youth Football. Once the legislative process starts, time will be even more precious that today. Please take these steps immediately to prepare yourself, Association, and community.

Step 1 – Issue a Press Release at the League Level1. Contact your League President / Executive Director and have them publish a

press release stating their opposition to banning youth football in California. Tailor the release based on sample letters in the appendix of this document.

2. Have your League President / Executive Director email your League logo and link to the press release to saveyouthfootball@gmail.com for inclusion in the website.

Step 2 – Issue a Press Release at the Association Level1. Prepare a Press Release from your Association, authored by your Association

President / Executive Director. Tailor your release based on sample letters in the Appendices of this document.

2. Publish your Association Press Release on your website.3. Send an email to your entire Association, Alumni, and Community with a link

to the Press Release from your League and your Association Press Release. Tailor your release based on sample letters in the appendix of this document.

3. Email your Association logo and link to the press release to saveyouthfootball@gmail.com for inclusion in the website.

Step 3 – Recruit and Launch the Save Youth Football Captain Role in your Association

1. The Save Youth Football Captain(s) in your Association will provide assistance with the grass roots efforts in the streets, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses from your community.

2. Each Save Youth Football Captain will be accountable for securing 50-100 signed letters from members of your Association’s community.

3. Be sure that your Save Youth Football Captain(s) are passionate, committed, and willing to get the job done in the coming weeks.

4. Tailor your invitation based on sample invitation in the appendix of this document.

Phase 2 – Letter Writing Campaign to Engage your Association and Community in Saving Youth FootballBefore we launch Phase 2 and mobilize against the bill, we have to meet all of the following conditions:

1. A bill with language banning youth football is in print – Complete

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2. The bill has been referred to a policy committee – Complete3. The policy committee has set a date for the hearing – Targeted for May 1,

2018

PHASE 2 SHOULD START THE WEEK OFAPRIL 9 AND CONCLUDE BY APRIL 30.

Step 1 – Launch the Letter Writing Campaign1. For all Leagues

a. Copy and paste the Save Youth Football League Letter Template to the Honorable Kansen Chu included here into a new document.

b. Read the letter and replace all the red text with text that is appropriate for your League

c. Print the letter and mail it to:i. The Honorable Kansen Chu (the address at the top of the letter)ii. The six (6) additional Committee Members listed hereiii. The Honorable Kevin McCarty, address listed hereiv. Your home town Assemblymember. Click here to enter your

address and find your local Assemblymember.v. Once complete, you should have sent 9 separate letters to the

people listed above.d. Forward the Association Letter Writing / Phone Calling Campaign to all

your Association Presidents to ensure they complete it. Click here to access the document.

e. Email saveyouthfootball@gmail.com to confirm that you have completed all steps.

2. For all Associationsa. Copy and paste the Save Youth Football Association Letter Template to

the Honorable Kansen Chu included here into a new document.b. Read the letter and replace all the red text with text that is appropriate

for your Associationc. Print the letter and mail it to:

i. The Honorable Kansen Chu (the address at the top of the letter)ii. The six (6) additional Committee Members listed hereiii. The Honorable Kevin McCarty, address listed hereiv. Your home town Assemblymember. Click here to enter your

address and find your local Assemblymember.v. Once complete, you should have sent 9 separate letters to the

people listed above.d. Email or print and distribute the Family Letter Writing / Phone Calling

Campaign available here to your Save Youth Football Captains and/or families.

e. Have the Save Youth Football Captain secure the name, address, and signature of your family and community members. The more community members you get the better.

f. Collect all the letters for your Association and make 1 copy of each letter for your records. Keep the copies for your Association.

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g. Take photo’s of your Save Youth Football Captain(s) doing their great work out in your community and post them to our Facebook page, and Twitter using #tackle2108, #saveyouthfootball and tagging @saveyouthfootball

h. Email saveyouthfootball@gmail.com to confirm that you have completed all steps.

3. For all Families or Community Membersa. Copy and paste the Save Youth Football Family Letter Template to the

Honorable Kansen Chu included here into a new document.b. Read the letter and replace all the red text with text that is appropriate

for your family or community memberc. Print the letter and mail it to:

i. The Honorable Kansen Chu (the address at the top of the letter)ii. The six (6) additional Committee Members listed hereiii. The Honorable Kevin McCarty, address listed hereiv. Your home town Assemblymember. Click here to enter your

address and find your local Assemblymember.v. Once complete, you should have sent 9 separate letters to the

people listed above.4. If you are not sure who to send the letters to, you can mail the original signed

letters to the following address as a back-up:Todd Bloomstine Bloomstine & Bloomstine1100 N Street, Suite 2CSacramento, CA 95814

Phase 3 – Phone Calling Campaign to Engage your Association and Community in Saving Youth FootballStep 1 – The Phone Calling Campaign

1. Call your local Assemble member. You can find their information by entering your home address here -> http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

2. When the Assembly member’s office answers your call…a. Introduce yourself by saying “My name is [insert name], and I

oppose Assembly Bill 2108, the Safe Youth Football Act because:i. I want to retain my decision rights for what sports my kids

may or may not play. ii. The authors are not in position, nor do they have sufficient

information, to take our rights away from us. b. Then ask them:

i. Can you please confirm that you have noted my oppositionii. Whom am I speaking with? – Note the name provided.iii. Politely sign off the telephone

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Phase 1 AppendixUSA Football Key Messages CollateralTalking Points

Pop Warner Best Practices and CollateralTalking Points

American Youth Football Best Practices and CollateralComing Soon

Independent Football League Best Practices and CollateralComing Soon

Legislative Letter SampleNational

Press Release SamplesLeagueSouthern California Football Coaches Association

Peninsula Pop Warner

Southern California Pop Warner

AssociationSouthern Marin Youth Football

Association Email Template (Phase 1, Step 2)

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Save Youth Football CaptainInvitation Sample

Phase 2 AppendixLetter Writing CampaignLeague Letter Template[Insert League Logo]

May 14, 2023The Honorable Kansen ChuChairman, Assembly Arts, Entertainment, SportsTourism and Internet Media CommitteeState Capitol, Room 3126Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: INSERT LEAGUE NAME LEAGUE OPPOSITION TO AB 2108 (MCCARTY)REFERRED TO THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, TOURISM AND INTERNET MEDIA

Dear Assemblymember Chu:

Please be advised that the Insert League Name League and the Insert # of Associations individual football programs that participate in Insert League Name are strongly opposed to AB 2108 (McCarty). The bill is currently referred to the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media and is expected to be heard on May 1st, 2018.

The Insert League Name League is one of the largest Pop Warner youth football leagues in the nation. Insert League Name serves over Insert # of League Players student-athletes from both football and cheer with over Insert # of coaches and administrators coaches and administrators. Insert League Name member programs are present in ? counties, ? high school districts and ? middle and elementary school districts in the Insert Geographical Area.

AB 2108 proposes to ban the sport of youth tackle football for children age 11 and under.

This proposal shifts the state into a drastically different policy direction than its present course. When the legislature previously addressed youth sports, the policies were designed to educate and train coaches, minimize the risk of injuries, and inform parents about the potential risks. AB 2007 from 2016 requires notifications for parents and participants about the risk of head injury. AB 2127 from 2014 requires high school football programs to limit the amount of full contact during practices. Even your AB 2800 requires coaches to be educated on the symptoms of heat illness and heat stroke. All of these policies are designed to inform, educate and minimize risk.A ban on football

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not only unfairly targets only one sport, it is inconsistent with previous public policies that Insert League Name and its member programs have duly followed.

Additionally, Insert League Name has implemented a variety of safety measures to minimize the risks to our players. We stand ready to consider other measures designed to increase the safety of our sport. Some safety measures we currently conduct include: confirm this list applies to your league

• Requiring every participant to have a recent physical evaluation by a doctor; • Mandatory, in-person, training camps for coaches; • Mandatory criminal history background checks for coaches and administrators; • Compliance with return to play and learn protocols for head injuries;• Accredited concussion recognition training for all coaches and staff; • Mandatory first aid/CPR certification for head coaches and at least one assistant

on each team• Reduction and monitoring of contact periods.• Substantial Game Rule Modifications & Revisions. • Considerable Innovations in protective equipment and fitting process.• Revised contact teaching & playing principals.• Mandated Equipment Recertification and established product shelf – life.• Expanded and comprehensive NOSCAE helmet testing process.

Participation in youth tackle football has immeasurable positive effects on the lives of all our participants. But it is especially positive for our underserved youth that may lack traditional social, academic and family support. We provide positive mentoring relations and offer a stability that may be lacking in their lives. Eliminating this positive and supportive outlet for our youth is truly ill advised. The reality of our sport is that it is safer than it has ever been because of the changes we have voluntarily made and the ones that we are mandated to make. I respectfully request your “no” vote when the bill comes before you in the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee.Our society is far better off with children participating in youth football than without it.

Cordially,

Insert Name of League President / Commissioner Name

Insert League Name

cc: The Honorable Kevin McCartyMembers, Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee

Insert League Name Associations Opposed to AB 2108 Insert All the League Associations

Association Letter Template[Insert Association Logo]

May 14, 2023

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The Honorable Kansen ChuChairman, Assembly Arts, Entertainment, SportsTourism and Internet Media CommitteeState Capitol, Room 3126Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: INSERT ASSOCIATION NAME OPPOSITION TO AB 2108 (MCCARTY)REFERRED TO THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, TOURISM AND INTERNET MEDIA

Dear Assemblymember Chu:

Please be advised that the Insert Association Name is strongly opposed to AB 2108 (McCarty). The bill is currently referred to the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media and is expected to be heard on May 1st, 2018.

The Insert Association Name participates in the Insert League Name. Insert Association Name serves over Insert # of Association Players student-athletes from both football and cheer with over Insert # of coaches and administrators coaches and administrators in the Insert Geographical Area.

AB 2108 proposes to ban the sport of youth tackle football for children age 11 and under.

This proposal shifts the state into a drastically different policy direction than its present course. When the legislature previously addressed youth sports, the policies were designed to educate and train coaches, minimize the risk of injuries, and inform parents about the potential risks. AB 2007 from 2016 requires notifications for parents and participants about the risk of head injury. AB 2127 from 2014 requires high school football programs to limit the amount of full contact during practices. Even your AB 2800 requires coaches to be educated on the symptoms of heat illness and heat stroke. All of these policies are designed to inform, educate and minimize risk.A ban on football not only unfairly targets only one sport, it is inconsistent with previous public policies that Insert Association Name have duly followed.

Additionally, Insert Association Name has implemented a variety of safety measures to minimize the risks to our players. We stand ready to consider other measures designed to increase the safety of our sport. Some safety measures we currently conduct include: confirm this list applies to your Association

• Requiring every participant to have a recent physical evaluation by a doctor; • Mandatory, in-person, training camps for coaches; • Mandatory criminal history background checks for coaches and administrators; • Compliance with return to play and learn protocols for head injuries;• Accredited concussion recognition training for all coaches and staff; • Mandatory first aid/CPR certification for head coaches and at least one assistant

on each team• Reduction and monitoring of contact periods.• Substantial Game Rule Modifications & Revisions. • Considerable Innovations in protective equipment and fitting process.• Revised contact teaching & playing principals.• Mandated Equipment Recertification and established product shelf – life.

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• Expanded and comprehensive NOSCAE helmet testing process.

Participation in youth tackle football has immeasurable positive effects on the lives of all our participants. But it is especially positive for our underserved youth that may lack traditional social, academic and family support. We provide positive mentoring relations and offer a stability that may be lacking in their lives. Eliminating this positive and supportive outlet for our youth is truly ill advised. The reality of our sport is that it is safer than it has ever been because of the changes we have voluntarily made and the ones that we are mandated to make. I respectfully request your “no” vote when the bill comes before you in the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee.Our society is far better off with children participating in youth football than without it.

Cordially,

Insert Name of Association President / Commissioner Name

Insert Association Name

cc: The Honorable Kevin McCartyMembers, Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee

Family Letter TemplateMay 14, 2023The Honorable Kansen ChuChairman, Assembly Arts, Entertainment, SportsTourism and Internet Media CommitteeState Capitol, Room 3126Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: INSERT FAMILY NAME OPPOSITION TO AB 2108 (MCCARTY)REFERRED TO THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, TOURISM AND INTERNET MEDIA

Dear Assemblymember Chu:

Please be advised that the Insert Family Name, and home address is strongly opposed to AB 2108 (McCarty). The bill is currently referred to the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media and is expected to be heard on May 1st, 2018.

The Insert Family Name participates in the Insert Association Name within the Insert League Name. Add any personal message from your family here.

AB 2108 proposes to ban the sport of youth tackle football for children age 11 and under.

This proposal shifts the state into a drastically different policy direction than its present course. When the legislature previously addressed youth sports, the policies were designed to educate and train coaches, minimize the risk of injuries, and inform parents about the potential risks. AB 2007 from 2016 requires notifications for parents and participants about the risk of head injury. AB 2127 from 2014 requires high school

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football programs to limit the amount of full contact during practices. Even your AB 2800 requires coaches to be educated on the symptoms of heat illness and heat stroke. All of these policies are designed to inform, educate and minimize risk.A ban on football not only unfairly targets only one sport, it is inconsistent with previous public policies that Insert your Association Name have duly followed.

Participation in youth tackle football has immeasurable positive effects on the lives of all our participants. But it is especially positive for our underserved youth that may lack traditional social, academic and family support. Insert Association Name provides positive mentoring relations and offer a stability that may be lacking in their lives. Eliminating this positive and supportive outlet for our youth is truly ill advised. The reality of our sport is that it is safer than it has ever been because of the changes we have voluntarily made and the ones that we are mandated to make. I respectfully request your “no” vote when the bill comes before you in the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee.Our society is far better off with children participating in youth football than without it.

Cordially,

Insert Parent’s Name

Insert Players Name

Insert Home Address

cc: The Honorable Kevin McCartyMembers, Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee

Author, Kevin McCarty AddressWebsiteMailing address: 915 L St #110, Sacramento, CA 95814

Committee Members to receive your Letters

Assembly Committee on Art, Entertainment and Sports

Committee Members District Office & Contact InformationKansen Chu (Chair) Dem -

25Contact Assembly Member Kansen ChuCapitol Office, Room 3126P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0025; (916) 319-2025

Marie Waldron (Vice Chair)

Rep - 75

Contact Assembly Member Marie WaldronCapitol Office, Room 4130P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0075; (916) 319-2075

Dante Acosta Rep - 38

Contact Assembly Member Dante AcostaCapitol Office, Room 2002P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0038; (916) 319-2038

David Chiu Dem - 17

Contact Assembly Member David ChiuCapitol Office, Room 4112P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0017; (916) 319-2017

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Committee Members District Office & Contact InformationLaura Friedman Dem -

43Contact Assembly Member Laura FriedmanCapitol Office, Room 2137P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0043; (916) 319-2043

Jose Medina Dem - 61

Contact Assembly Member Jose MedinaCapitol Office, Room 2141P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0061; (916) 319-2061

Adrin Nazarian Dem - 46

Contact Assembly Member Adrin NazarianCapitol Office, Room 4146P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0046; (916) 319-2046

Online ResourcesWebsitesChange.org Petition to Save Youth Football in CA Save Youth Football

Facebook Resources Save Youth Football – California Group Save Youth Football – National Page

Twitter Resources Save Youth Football CA - @saveyouthfbca Save Youth Football National - @saveyouthfb

Instagram Resources Save Youth Football National - @saveyouthfootball

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