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A warm welcome to
players, parents and friends for another exciting season of So.
Burlington Dolphin Football. The Dolphins have been part of the
Northern Vermont Youth Football Association since the league’s
inception. The league is comprised of teams from St. Albans, Milton,
Essex, Burlington, So. Burlington, Barre, Newport, St. Johnsbury,
Lyndon, Colchester, Chittenden East, Montpelier, Winooski and Chittenden
South. Our team has averaged between 100-135 young people per year.
During that span, the Dolphins have won numerous Division and State
Championships, the most recent of which was in 2003. You may have seen
their championship jackets around town! Due to the popularity of this program, the league has expanded beyond the 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade tackle program to include a 2nd–4th grade flag program (Earthmovers). Although the 5th/6th graders game schedule parallels the 7th/8th graders schedule, they only play against kids in their own age group. All players are Dolphins, but for distinction purposes, the 5th/6th graders are referred to as the “Orangemen” and the 7th/8th graders as the “Blackmen.” The Earthmovers will also be separated into “Diesels” and “Dozers.” If at any time during the course of the season you should have any questions, please feel free to speak to the coaches. We enjoy sharing the success of what we believe is the best youth football program in the state. |
| The intent of this handbook is to answer some commonly asked questions about the Dolphins Football program. It is not meant to be a substitute for one-on-one conversation between parents and coaches, but merely an overall guide to the program. We hope you find it helpful. The purpose of this football program is to teach fundamental football skills to beginner or novice players. We strive to accomplish this through the teaching of basic techniques, discipline and team work. |
| Rene
D. LaBerge,
is one of the founders of the program and had been coaching the team
since 1967. Coach Rene is the head coach for the Blackmen focusing on
the offense. The locker room is in the LaBerge homestead. Uniforms are
cleaned there; equipment is kept there, etc. It is the main base of
operations. Many Dolphin parties are celebrated there as well.
Tom Tavares, an IBM employee, is an offensive coach for the Blackmen. He has been with the team since 1992. He and his wife Nancy, a South Burlington school teacher, have two grown children, Michael—who played for the Dolphins—and Rebecca. C.Barry Sageman, University of Vermont employee is a Defensive Line coach, He has been with the team since 2007.He played at the University of Colorado. He has two children, Chris who played for the Dolphins and Kelsey. Bryan Belisle, a former Dolphin player, is the quarterback coach for the Blackmen. He also maintains the Dolphin Foundation financial program. Coach Belisle is a certified financial planner with Edward Jones. He and his wife Cindy and daughter Brianna live in South Burlington. He has been with the team since 2000. Ray Savage is a coach for the Orangemen focusing on the defense. He began his career with the Dolphins coaching the flag team in 2000 then moved up to the tackle program Bryon Ladd is a coach for the Orangemen Nancy Belisle videotapes all of the tackle games and as many flag games as possible. These tapes are reviewed each week. At the end of the season these tapes are presented to each player as a gift. Nancy also manages the team and league finances. She has been with the team since 1981. Erin McGrath Is the team Mom for the earthmovers and has a son Dustin who is a Dolphin. Diane Updyke is the team trainer she has been with the program since 2oo5
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The coaching
staff is committed to teaching the Dolphins about team sports,
understanding healthy competition and most of all having fun. Along
with this, we also emphasize fitness and healthy attitudes.
Commitment is something that the kids give of themselves to their peers and therefore the team. They are expected to be at all practices and games on time. Expectations are high for a Dolphin team member. This is summed up in the Team Motto – PRIDE Personal Responsibility, for Individual Daily Effort This includes both on and off the field activities. It is imperative that good grades be maintained in school. If the daily practices become overwhelming in getting homework completed, allowances can be made. Please speak to one of the coaches - we would be happy to discuss this. Behavior Swearing and inappropriate behavior is not acceptable on the Dolphin team and is dealt with as the situation warrants.
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A copy
of the player’s birth certificate is mandatory, but only when signing up
for the first time. The age limitations for the 5th and 6th graders are
that a player may not reach his 13th birthday before the 1st Saturday in
November. If he does, he would then be assigned to the older team. If
the individual reaches his 13th birthday between the 1st Sunday in
November and April 1st, he could still play for the 5th and 6th grade
team, but would play on the offensive line. The weight limitation for an offensive back on the Orangemen is 100 pounds. For ends the limitation is 115 pounds. For all other positions the weight is unlimited. The weight limitation for an offensive back on the Black team is 130 pounds. For ends the limitation is 135 pounds. For all other positions the weight is unlimited. |
| Playing Fee:
There is a fee of $100.00 for the entire season payable at the time of
registration. Scholarships are available. Helmet Fee: There is no helmet fee for Earthmovers. For 5¬th–8th grade players in the tackle program a one-time helmet fee will be assessed. The fee is assessed in the first year the player joins the tackle program. Players may select a new helmet ($70 fee) or a used helmet ($40 fee). After completing their 8th grade year, players may keep their helmet. |