BATTERY PARK VIKINGS ARE CITY’S FIRST TO COMPETE IN THE SNOOP YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE NATIONALS

The City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities (PRCF) is pleased to announce the Battery Park Community Center Vikings are competing in the Snoop Youth Football League Nationals held December 14 through 16 in Los Angeles, California. Mayor Stoney will join the team in support as part of the city’s partnership with the Michael Robinson Excel 2 Excellence (E2E) Program, which was announced in May of this year.

Battery Park Vikings and Powhatan Chiefs

The Vikings won the 14U championship on November 17, defeating the Powhatan Chiefs 26 - 0 and securing their place as the city’s first recreation team to appear in the popular west coast competition. The Randolph Community Center Dragons 14U Cheerleaders who won the inaugural E2E cheerleading competition held in October will also be accompanying the team.

“These young men and women worked extremely hard this season for the opportunity to represent the City of Richmond on a national stage,” said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. “I’m grateful for the partnership with Michael Robinson and E2E which has allowed the undeniable talent of our kids to shine. I am excited to see them play in Los Angeles this weekend and know they will make our city proud.”

“This season has surpassed our expectations,” said Chris Frelke, director of the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. “And this is just the beginning of the success we will see from these young men and women — on and off the field.”   

“We have to put the city and the East Coast on our backs,” said Vikings captain Nasir Eberhardt. “Losing is not in my vocabulary,” Eberhardt added. “I expect to go out there to California and win.”

City Youth Tackle Football Playoffs Begin November 7

The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’  youth tackle football playoffs will kick off Saturday, November 7 at 9:30 a.m. Games will be hosted at community center sites as well as at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center, 2401 West Leigh Street. The department’s cheerleaders, who will be competing in their own championship event on Thursday, November 5 at the Richmond Coliseum at 6 p.m., will also be in attendance to engage the crowd.

TB Smith Seahawks vs. Battery Park Vikings
2014

“These players have played a great season and I am looking forward to seeing them play for the championship in their respective divisions. We should all be proud at this moment,” said Dr. Norman C. Merrifield, director of the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.“Our coaches, both site staff and volunteers, have taken the time all season to ensure that these players understood the basics of the game and how to work together as a team.”

The game schedule can be found on the department’s Facebook page Richmond VA Parks and Recreation as well as the department’s webpage. The public is invited to attend the games at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center, but please note that no smoking, personal food, or drinks are allowed at the facility; however vendors will be onsite selling food, sodas and water in the concession area. Parking is available on West Leigh Street, and spectators will need to bring their own seating.

Cheerleading Jamboree to Showcase More Than 600 Cheerleaders

The department will hold its annual Cheerleading Jamboree on Thursday, November 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Richmond Coliseum. Approximately 600 cheerleaders from the department’s community centers and area high schools and colleges will perform during the event.

     Tickets for the event are $4.50 for children 11 and younger and $7 for children 12 and older and adults. They are available from Ticketmaster.com, area Ticketmaster outlets, 1-800-745-3000, and at the Richmond Coliseum Box Office Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

      Seating is general admission and doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

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Registration for football, cheerleading expanded

The department is expanding opportunities for children between the ages of 5 and 14 who live in the city and are not beyond eighth grade in school to register to play football and participate in cheerleading this fall. Registration will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 6; Wednesday, Aug. 8; and Thursday, Aug. 9, at the following locations: 

• Battery Park Community Center, 2803 DuPont Circle
• Blackwell Community Center, 300 E. 15^th St.
• G. H. Reid Community Center, 1301 Whitehead Rd.
• Hickory Hill Community Center, 3000 E. Belt Blvd.
• Hotchkiss Community Center, 701 E. Brookland Park Blvd.
• Linwood Robinson Senior Center, 700 N. 26^th St.
• Powhatan Community Center, 5051 Northampton St.
• Randolph Community Center, 1415 Grayland Ave.
• T.B. Smith Community Center, 2015 Ruffin Rd.
• Westover Community Center, 1301 Jahnke Rd.       

In addition, registration will take place at these same sites on Saturday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as previously announced. 

     The registration fee is $25 per child. A utility bill or rent receipt to verify city residency, a report card or current year school schedule to verify grade level, and a birth certificate to verify age will be required at registration, and a parent or guardian must sign a waiver.

     Practices will begin on Monday, August 6, and all games will be held on Saturdays beginning on September 8. The season will culminate in tournament championship games and an awards ceremony.

     For more information, call 804-646-5733.

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Register for Youth Football, Cheerleading

Children who live in the city, between the ages of 5 and 14, and are not beyond eighth grade in school, can register to play football or become a cheerleader this fall with the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities. Registration cost just $25 per child and will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on July 28 and August 18 at the following community centers:  

• Battery Park, 2803 DuPont Circle
• Bellemeade/T.B. Smith, 2015 Ruffin Rd.
• Blackwell, 300 E. 15^th St.
• Chimborazo, 3000 E. Marshall St.
• Hickory Hill, 3000 E. Belt Blvd.
• Hotchkiss, 701 E. Brookland Park Blvd.
• Powhatan, 5051 Northampton St.
• Randolph, 1415 Grayland Ave.
• Reid, 1301 Whitehead Rd.
• Westover, 1301 Jahnke Rd.   

Practices will begin on Monday, August 6, and games will be held on Saturdays beginning on September 8.  The season will culminate in tournament championship games and an awards ceremony.

     Proof of city residency through a utility bill or rent receipt, grade verification through a report card or current year schedule, and a birth certificate are required at registration. Parents or guardians must also sign a waiver at registration.

     Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, check or money order. No cash payments will be accepted.

     For more information, call 804-646-5733.

Cheerleading Jamboree to Showcase 600+ Area Cheerleaders

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will hold its annual Cheerleading Jamboree on Thursday, November 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Landmark Theater, located at 6 N. Laurel St.  Approximately 600 cheerleaders from the department’s community centers and area high schools and colleges will perform during the event.

      Tickets for the event are $3 in advance for children 11 and younger and $6 for children 12 and older and adults. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $5 for 11 and younger and $8 for 12 and older and adults. They may be purchased at the Landmark Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., online at etix.com, or by phone at 1-800-514-3849.

     Seating is general admission and the doors will open at 5 p.m.

Cheerleading Jamboree set for Nov. 10th

The department will showcase its largest athletic program for girls at its Cheerleading Jamboree from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Landmark Theatre.

This is the department’s 25th annual cheerleading competition. The high-energy event highlights the cheering squads from department community centers as well as local high school squads and other local cheering talent from the Richmond Raiders, Virginia State University and Virginia Union University. A total of 20 teams will participate.

Tickets to the event can be purchased at the Landmark box office and are $2 in advance and $4 at the door for youth ages two through 11. For children and adults age 12 and older, tickets are $5 in advance or $6 at the door.

Approximately 500 children ranging in age from 4 to 14 are involved in cheerleading at the department's community centers located throughout the city.

For more information, call (804) 646-1441.