NOVATO YOUTH FOOTBALL TERRITORY GUIDELINES

Unlike most of the other units that we compete with that simply have one unit representing a whole city (e.g., Petaluma or Fairfield) or even a region (e.g., Central Marin and Southern Marin), the city of Novato is split into two separate and autonomous units, Novato Youth Football and San Marin Youth Football. This arrangement arose back in the late 1960's when San Marin High School first opened and the local Youth Football unit decided to split into 2 separate units that could each exclusively serve their respective high schools. To this day, this arrangement has served both sides of town quite well by allowing each unit to form close relationships with their respective high schools (e.g., shared playbooks, training techniques, etc.) that have led to several Varsity Football NCS Championships between the two schools over the last three decades.

An unfortunate side effect of this geographic split of Novato is occasional parent confusion as to which program their child should play in. The territorial boundary line between Novato and San Marin Youth Football is identical to that used by the Novato Unified School District to determine whether a child should attend Novato High School or San Marin High School. Simply put, if you expect your child to attend Novato High School, he or she should play for Novato Youth Football. The address at which a "participant generally eats and sleeps" is the address that participant should list on his/her registration form. This address will then dictate which program the child participates in based on the NUSD High School boundaries. The bottom line is that it is imperative that players, parents, coaches and board members of both Novato and San Marin Youth Football adhere to these rules so that the success of each unit can be ensured. Without such rules, player registration is reduced to a popularity contest. Thus players simply wanting to transfer between units due to their like/dislike of a coach or a need to play with their friends is not allowed.

The only exception to these rules allowed will be for those players whose parents volunteer as either a rostered coach or board member. Also, should a veteran player move across town, he/she will have the option of remaining with his/her original unit. Before any such transfers are allowed, a waiver form signed by both units must be completed.

Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact: