Why Play in the WYFL?
The Westlake Youth Football League is the premier youth football league in the Eagle Mountain/Saratoga Springs area. We were formed in 2008 and competed as the Saratoga Springs Spartans until Westlake High School was built in 2009, at which time we realigned our affiliation to match the Westlake High School Thunder. We are registered with the State of Utah as a Domestic Non-Profit Corporation and received our 501(c)3 Federal Tax Exempt Organization document in August 2017.
Who does the WYFL play?
Our teams compete in the Utah Youth Football Conference (UYFC) which is one of the toughest football conferences in the state. Many of the highest ranked 6A high school teams are from our region. The football played in the UYFC is some of the best in our state and the WYFL consistently fields competitive teams and competes at the highest levels. The majority of our teams consistently make the playoffs and we have many championships to our name. Teams from Lone Peak, American Fork, Lehi, Skyridge, Pleasant Grove, Mountain View, and Provo call the UYFC home. Additionally, teams from Orem, Timpanogos, Timpview, Herriman, Springville, Spanish fork, Maple mountain, Payson (check the UYFC website for ALL the schools within the conference)also participate. The UYFC has a high-school-boundaries-only policy that is strictly enforced across each league.
When does the season start and how long does it last?
The first game of the 2024 season will be played in mid August and coincides with the start of the regular school year (this varies year to year). The season includes a minimum of least 8 games with most teams receiving a bye week. Playoffs will begin after the regular season games are completed. Traditionally, games will be played over Labor Day weekend, but not over UEA weekend. Please plan vacations accordingly. The 2024 schedule will be posted in August and can be found on the UYFC website here.
How many games are in a season and how do playoffs work?
Most teams will have 8 regular season games: one game a week, with a possibility of a bye. There will be single elimination playoffs which the top eight teams in each division being selected to play. Those teams will be seeded by win/loss record, not scores. (See UYFC conference bi-laws/policies & procedures for official rules for seeding criteria)
Where are games played?
Games are played at various junior high and high school fields in Utah County making it easy to get to games and see your teams play. We are excited to add new fields every time a new league comes into our conference.
Where will my team practice?
Each individual head coach can choose his practice location and times which works best for his individual team.
When will practices start and for how long?
First padded practices will begin on Monday, July 22nd. NO pads may be worn before this UYFC date. Coaches are allowed to gather players for conditioning and practice up to 5 times a week until school starts. After that, by rule, coaches are limited to three two hour practices each week, plus an additional day for film or a team activity during the season so our athletes have time to be students also.
How are teams formed and/or what team will my player be on?
Teams are formed according to the number of players that sign up in each grade level. The minimum number of players on a team is 18 and the maximum is 26.
· 1st through 4th grade teams:
· Are selected based upon geography if multiple teams are formed (i.e., Eagle Mountain 3rd grade team will consist of mostly players from Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs 3rd grade team will mostly consist of players from Saratoga Springs, if possible)
· 5th through 8th grade teams:
· Open tryouts are held after equipment handouts, beginning on July 25th. Players are required to attend tryouts in order to be selected for a team.
· The first team formed in each grade level is an “A” team and the second team formed is a “B” team. Each additional team added will be a “B” team until the fourth team, which will be another “A” team.
· Each “A” team coach will select the team they feel will be most competitive at that level and the remaining players are then drafted to “B” teams. A player picked for an “A” team can choose to play on a “B” team if they so desire.
What do I have to do to become a coach?
If you are interested in coaching, please email WYFL or any of our board members your contact information, as well as click on the Registration button located on the homepage. You must be able to pass a background check and be USA Football Heads up level 1 certified. We are always looking for individuals to help with our teams who have the best interests of our players first and foremost in their minds. If this sounds like you, please get involved and be part of our football family. We are in the business of building boys into men and know how important good coaches are in achieving this goal.
What is the registration fee, and what is included with it?
Registration is $325-$350 per player (during the regular registration period) for players going into 1st-8th grade. Registration includes RENTAL of helmet, shoulder pads, and pants with pads, as well as a jersey they get to keep after the season if selected at registration. HUDL game film, field use and equipment, game officials and coaches equipment is also covered in the registration fee. Players DO NOT get to keep their helmet, shoulder pads, or pants and will be fined the price of missing equipment if they do not turn the equipment back in at the end of the season. There will be a $200 deposit check collected at equipment pickup in addition to the registration fee. This is only cashed if gear is not returned.
What will my player need to provide that the league does not?
The players will need to supply a mouth guard, athletic supporter with cup, football cleats, and a practice jersey.
What additional costs will there be?
Each individual team may have fundraisers to provide extras for their players. Season awards, team parties, tournaments, snacks etc. are up to the discretion of the coaches and parents of their team. Please check with your head coach as to what those needs will be before the season starts.
Are there any discounts for players that are low income or need assistance with registration?
If you have a player that needs assistance with the registration fee, you can do a fundraiser for your team and/or find sponsors for your team or player. Several teams have had success with this in the past. Our operating costs are the relatively the same for each player, so it would not be fair to the other teams if we charged different rates for different players on different teams.
We offer easy ways to take care of registration fees. You can register your player(s) and pay in full through this website or break up the registration fee into a few payments.
The WYFL also offers partial fee waivers for qualified individuals. We don’t want to ever turn away a player for financial reasons. There are multiple ways to offset the registration costs: fundraisers, sponsors, volunteering to serve on a committee, volunteering to coach, etc. All fee waivers will need to be approved by the WYFL Board.