FAQ

The Richmond Youth Football and Cheer Program does not have tryouts to be on a team. Flag football teams will have a Skills Assessment prior to the season starting to aid coaches in evenly dividing teams.  

Cheerleading Registration is $275.00 and includes the following items;

• Sideline Cheer (approx. 8 games)
• Competition Cheer (Regional competition takes place in October)
• Uniform -- Shell, Skirt, Bodysuit, Skirt, Shoes, Poms

Football Registration is $275.00 and includes the following items; 

• Helmet (upgrades available for additional costs)
• Shoulder pads
• Uniform -- Jersey, Pants, and Socks 

Flag Football Registration is $75.00 and includes the following items; 

• Flag Belt
• Jersey
• Socks

Divisions are separated by age, based on your child's age as of July 1st, 2026. 

• Flag Division - Ages 5-6
• Freshman Division - Ages 7-8
• Junior Varsity (JV) Division - Ages 9-10
• Varsity Division - Ages 11-12  

Both football and cheer programs host Sizing Events, in which you will be able to try on sample sizes of uniforms. It is required that you attend one of the sizing events in order to properly size your child for the proper safety equipment and uniform. 

The only division that will be asked for shirt size during registration is Flag football. Please provide your child's shirt size at time of registration. Those registered for Flag Football do not need to attend a sizing clinic. 

Hometown Football League in conjuncture with the MHSAA guidelines, mandates that all participating athletes must have a pre-participation physical exam completed on or after April 1st of the current year for eligibility.  

Flag Football athletes do NOT need a sports physical on file. 

Each season includes a pre-season scrimmage with seven week regular season (approx. 3-4 homes games). 

Depending on end of season standings, there may be additional games for HFL Playoffs, which include a semi-finals and championship game. Playoff locations change each season.

Registration will open on March 2nd, 2026 for both Football and Cheer Programs. Cheer registration will close on April 10th, 2026 and football registration will close on April 24th, 2026. 

Cheerleading Registration is $275.00 and includes the following items;

• Sideline Cheer (approx. 8 games)
• Competition Cheer (Regional competition takes place in October)
• Uniform -- Shell, Skirt, Bodysuit, Skirt, Shoes, Poms

Football Registration is $275.00 and includes the following items; 

• Helmet (upgrades available for additional costs)
• Shoulder pads
• Uniform -- Jersey, Pants, and Socks 

Flag Football Registration is $75.00 and includes the following items; 

• Flag Belt
• Jersey
• Socks

Divisions are separated by age, based on your child's age as of July 1st, 2026. 

• Flag Division - Ages 5-6
• Freshman Division - Ages 7-8
• Junior Varsity (JV) Division - Ages 9-10
• Varsity Division - Ages 11-12  

Multi-Player Discount

RYFC offers a 20% discount per athlete if you are enrolling three (3) or more kids (in both cheer and football programs). If you have three (3) or more athletes, please contact us at richmondyfc@gmail.com to receive your single use discount code. 

Code will be applied at checkout during your registration.  

Financial Hardship Program

If you are experiencing financial hardships, please select the box for our Financial Hardship Program during registration to receive more information. You will be contacted by a board member to discuss available options. Approval depends on funds available and situation. 

Acceptable forms of payment include Cash, Check, or Card. 

To pay by check or cash, you may bring payment to;

Northstar Bank- Colby Green

66550 Gratiot Ave.

Lennox, MI 48062

Mail payment to;

P.O. Box 806

Richmond, MI 48062

You can request a refund by filling out the Refund Form. 

Once uniforms are ordered, we cannot process any refunds. Any refunds processed will not include processing fees. 

Our program relies heavily on the generous support of our sponsors. If you would like to be a sponsor, you can add a sponsorship package during the registration of any cheer or football player. 

If you do not have an athlete but would like to sponsor our program, you may purchase a sponsorship package online with a credit card or via check. To pay by check, contact us as richmondyfc@gmail.com. 

Playing time is allocated based on a number of factors, including age division, attendance, behavior and game situation. All coaches are urged to rotate players into game play, however situations can alter a players ability to play. 

Our first priority is each players safety, if a coach deems a player's safety is called into question then that player may be removed from the field. 

If your child misses required practice time, their ability to participate during a game is restricted. Please review the Attendance Policy for additional details. 

Additionally, if a player does not adhere to the Code on Conduct, been suspended from school or behaved in a way that is not congruent with our mission statement, that player may see a reduction in play time. In this case, a meeting between the player, coach and parent/guardian may be required to continue participation. 

Football teams range from approximately 35-45 athletes for the Freshman, JV, and Varsity teams. 

Flag football teams typically have around 12 kids per team. 

The Hometown Football League does set a weight restriction per age division that every program must adhere too. Athletes that weigh in over the allowed weight are marked with a "stripe" on their helmet. This stripe restricts which positions and actions the player can participate in. 

Those weight limits are as follows; 

Freshman Division

         Single Stripe: 80lbs +

         Double Stripe: 95lbs+

Junior Varsity Division

         Single Stripe: 100lbs +

         Double Stripe: 125lbs +

Varsity Division

         Single Stripe: 130lbs +

         Double Stripe: 155lbs +

Flag Football does not adhere to a weight restriction. 

Football practices take place on the practice field in between Richmond Middle School and High School. 

It is recommended to drop athletes off for practices, and return to pick up. 

Each child enrolled in the football program will receive a Riddell Speed Icon helmet. If you choose, you can upgrade your helmet for one season to a Riddell Speed Flex helmet for $100.00. 

This can be added to your registration cart during regular program registration or after your have finalized program registration by contacting us at richmondyfc@gmail.com.  

Flag Football is setup differently then our older age divisions. We typically have 2-3 flag teams (number of teams is dependent on registration numbers), and coaches will draft players to equally distribute skill levels across all teams. 

 A skills assessment will take place prior to the season starting. Parents will be contacted with more information as it becomes available. 

The following equipment will NOT be provided by RYFC, but required:

Flag Football: 

• Mouthguard (not tethered)
•  Water Bottle
• Cleats or athletic shoes

Freshman, JV, Varsity Football: 

• Mouthguard with tether
• Cleats
• Practice pants
• Practice jersey
• Water Bottle

Sideline cheer primarily supports our youth football teams during regular season and playoff games. Sideline is a staple in the gameday experience, and promotes spirit and crowd encouragement. Routines are generally simpler and include chants, basic stunts, and includes the use of Poms. 

 Competition cheer involves league cheer teams competing against each other at a regional event. Competition routines are more complex and include more gymnastics, tumbling and dance. These routines are tightly choreographed and timed, often set to music. 

Per MHSAA regulations, a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of sixteen (16) team members are allowed on the floor for competition in Rounds. Because of this our cheer registration is capped at 32 athletes per age division, to create 2 Richmond teams. 

Not all skills listed are required per the RYFC program, however working towards these skills and advancing to the next skill will prepare them for Middle School and High School programs. 

Tumbling Category

• Forward Roll
• Backward Roll
• Cartwheel
• Handstand Forward Roll
• Far Arm and Near Arm Cartwheel
• Round Off
• Back & Front Handspring
• Back & Front Walkover
• Ariel Cartwheel
• Standing Back Tuck

Jumping Category

• Spread Eagle, Tuck
• Double Hook
• Double 9
• Front Hurdler
• Herkie
• Pike
• Toe Touch
• Universal

Flexibility Category:

• Any Kick
• Side Split
• Heel Stretch 
• Switch Split
• Triple Splits
• Cartwheel
• Valde

Cheer practices rotate on a schedule, and take place at the Richmond High School, Richmond Middle School, and Will L. Lee Elementary school. 

Your child's cheer coach will contact you with your team's specific schedule closer to the start of the season.

If your child was waitlisted, you will be contacted after registration closes. Dependent on skill a child's skill level achieved, we may be able to place younger athletes in older age divisions to accommodate waitlisted numbers.  

Your child's registration must be paid in full in order for us to assign them to a roster. 

Because cheer involves routines and stunts, attendance is essential for safety and team progress. 

Athletes are expected to consistently attend weekly practices. Missing practices may result in an athlete being excluded from certain stunts or removed from competition routines to protect the athlete and the team.

All Cheer Divisions: 

• Black Leggings
• Water Bottle
• Practice Attire

A hold check of $250.00 is due for each child to have on file for the season, up to (2) children. This check is to ensure the necessary volunteer hours are completed, and can also be used to cover costs of any missing or damages equipment at the end of the season. 

The Richmond Youth Football and Cheer Program is run solely on volunteers, from our board members and coaches to our concession stand. In order to host a successful home game, we do require a number of parent volunteers. 

For each child you have registered within the program, you must complete one volunteer session, up to a max of two sessions. Volunteer sessions are approx. 3 hours.

If you cannot complete the necessary volunteer requirements, someone can complete them in your place. Your proxy must be 16 years of age or older. 

Sign up for the desired volunteer session, and then the proxy will sign in, with the reference of your child's name. If you cannot find a proxy or complete the required hours, your hold check will be cashed at the end of the season. 

The Richmond Youth Football and Cheer Program is dependent on its volunteer coaches. If you would like to sign up to coach for the 2025 season, add the preferred position when you register your child.

By applying for a coach position, you agree to a background check. Coaches are expected to commit to attending practices, games and other events. 

Signup opportunities will not start until our season begins in August. Parents will be contacted with a link within the Teamsideline app and email to pick up open spots for needed help within our concession stand, field work (like chain gang, cleanup, etc) and press box. 

We have several open positions for those interested in getting more involved with our program. 

Contact us at richmondyfc@gmail.com to find out which positions are available.