Coed youth league expands in second year of operation

By Adrienne Nguyen, Special to the Town Crier

After School Athletics recently kicked off its second season of flag football in Los Altos, and organizers said it’s bigger and better than the first.

ASA founders Vince Giacomini and Jerry Sorensen, Los Altos residents who both have sons participating, have expanded the league. Last year only elementary students in the Los Altos School District could participate; this year Blach Intermediate School and Egan Junior High have been added.

The coed program is aimed at youngsters who want to play football in an environment that’s less competitive and not as physical than Pop Warner. It also gives them a chance to represent their school.

“We recognized that kids love to play for their school, so we organized it around the schools,” Giacomini said.

Each school fields two teams to separate the levels of skill and age. Games are played once a week, with one 90-minute practice held each week.

The number of students participating has grown from about 200 last year to more than 260 this season.

“In coming years, we fully expect (the number) to grow to as many as 400,” Sorensen said.

The junior high teams had more students come out than ASA could handle.

“This forced us to make cuts, as we simply had more kids try out for the team than the coaches could give adequate playing time to,” Sorensen said.

Although football is typically a male-dominated sport, the organizers said the number of girls participating has increased dramatically this year.

“Those who have joined are big contributors to the teams,” Sorensen said.

With an earlier start this year, coaches took the opportunity to teach their athletes more plays and conduct more drills.

“The kids are better prepared, the games are smoother and the skill levels are higher,” Sorensen said.

It probably didn’t hurt that ASA held a camp over the summer at Foothill College. Sixty-five students enrolled, learning tips from former San Francisco 49er Milt McColl, former San Jose State and Stanford coach John Ralston, Foothill coach Marshall Sperbeck and former Cal coach Roger Theder.

Organizers believe the camp also sparked interest in football for several of the students, many of whom enrolled in the league this fall.

Beyond adding more players, ASA has attracted more game officials through its new youth referee program. It also offers students from Los Altos and Mountain View highs an opportunity to officiate games on a volunteer basis.

“This has been a great success,” Giacomini said. “Over time, as the youth gain experience and maturity, we hope they will be able to take on this responsibility without the adult (referees).”

ASA has also introduced a Web site this year, www.afterschoolathletics.com. It has become a useful communication tool between coaches and parents and has improved registration, according to the league founders.

Next season, there are plans to grow the league even more. Giacomini and Sorensen hope to add schools in the Mountain View-Whisman School District.