Q: Why did we leave CTYFL for the Nutmeg League?
A: The answer to this question is multifaceted. See below:
1)    Aligns better with our core values as a program and a community.
•    Through the use of parent surveys and dialogue with athletes, parents and families, we are always looking for areas we can improve our program. One of the overwhelming themes in this feedback has been parents requesting that the Panthers address poor and/or inappropriate conduct by other town's coaches and spectators. We attempted to address these concerns with the CTYFL on a number of occasions, and even proposed some rule changes, but were rebuffed. The Nutmeg League has specific provisions in their by-laws that address, and provide disciplinary action, for poor coach and spectator behavior. 
•    The Nutmeg League also has a cap of three “older lighter” players at the B and C levels for football. (see below for definition of an “older/lighter”) They also have age caps at these levels. We believe that this will provide a more competitive balance at these levels for our players. We felt that several members towns in the CTYFL were “stacking” lower-level teams with older players to gain a competitive advantage. We do not believe that is the purpose of this rule and greatly appreciate the Nutmeg League’s approach to this. 

2)    It is more geographically centered to our community.
•    The member towns are listed below. The furthest town we travel in the Nutmeg League is Southington, approximately 40 minutes away. We loved competing with our sister towns in New Hartford and North Branford, but they were quite a bit further for us on games days. 

3)    Its member towns align more completely with the schools our athletes compete with in High School
•    One of the core missions of the South Windsor Panthers program is to develop our athletes to compete in High School. Playing and cheering against towns and their athletes they will see at the next level can help further this goal. Many of the Nutmeg League member towns are the same towns in our SWHS Conference. 

4)        The level of competition is consistent from top to bottom.
•    We believe strongly that the South Windsor Panthers program is extremely competitive at every level for both football and cheer. We also believe that each member town in the Nutmeg League presents the same level of competition week in and week out. We feel that consistent, competitive, high-level competition gives our athletes the best path to complete development.

Q: Can a South Windsor athlete play or cheer for a different CTYFL team? 
A: No. 
•    It is our understanding that CTYFL rules do NOT allow that. Some CTFYL member towns are telling SW families that athletes can play or cheer for them and we do not believe that is correct. We believe that there is a clear misinterpretation of the CTYFL Bylaws. If they are mistaken, it is likely to result in an athlete not being able to participate in the upcoming Panthers season if they don’t enroll in a new program in time. Our priority is to make sure that every athlete that wants to play football or cheer be provided the opportunity to do so. 
•    IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO EMAIL SAM OR DJ AND THEY WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH GUIDANCE. 
Sam: swpanthers22@gmail.com / DJ: DJ0904@msn.com

Q: Will there be cheerleading in this league? 
A: Yes. 
•    The Nutmeg League does not require towns to offer cheerleading to be part of their league but almost all towns in the Nutmeg league have cheer programs. Cheerleading has been an integral part of the SW Panthers and will continue to be. Cheer will be seeing some positive changes in the coming season and we are hard at work to ensure the cheer program continues to grow in a positive direction.
•    Our goal is to have 4 cheer squads: A, B, C, and a Junior Panthers squad for athletes in K through 2nd grade.

Q: Will there be a Cheer Competition?
A: Yes. 
•    Panthers cheerleaders will continue to attend a minimum of one competition. We are exploring several options to include a cheer focused league with opportunities to compete at multi-tiered local, regional and national competition, as well as an opportunity for athletes to try-out for a National All-Star Cheer team.  

Q: Does the Nutmeg League have Mighty Mites Football?
A: No.
•    This change will be an adjustment for our program as we take a great deal of pride in our Mighty Mite program, which was primarily 1st and 2nd grade players. 
•    In lieu of Mighty Mites, we will offer a full flag football program for athletes in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. We will also offer occasional full contact practices to help our young athletes develop skills for the C Team level of play. 
•    In certain situations, 2nd grade players that show the proper football skill, will have the option to play at the C Team level, if they so choose with the recommendation of the head coach.

Q: What towns are in the Nutmeg League? 
A: Nutmeg League Member Towns
Berlin Bears
Southington Valley Wolverines
West Hartford
Farmington Valley Mudhogs
Granby/Suffield Bearcats
Simsbury Trojans
Wethersfield Eagles
Middletown Junior Blue Dragons
  

FOOTBALL ONLY BELOW

Nutmeg League Football Weights, Grades, and Ages:
*Clarification: An "Older/Lighter" athlete is one that is above the grade level of the team that they would be eligible for but would be allowed to play at a lower level based on their weight and grade. The Nutmeg League is very strict on Older/Lighters and allows a maximum of 3 O/Ls per B and C team. (This does not apply to cheer)

IMPORTANT! Given the limited allowances, Older/Lighters will be assigned to a team at the coach's discretion. Please anticipate that your athlete will play for the team they are registered for unless otherwise informed. Thank you for your understanding!

C Division:
•    Players must be registered in grade 4 and under and cannot turn 11 years old before 9/1 of the present season with "older/lighters" being the only exception.
•     Players over 125 lbs during the pre-season weigh-in must play as interior linemen on offense (Center, Guard, or Tackle) in a three point stance.
•    Players between 116-125 lbs during pre-season weigh-in may play as interior linemen as well as TE on offense. They may receive a forward pass over the line of scrimmage but cannot receive a handoff.
•    Players weighing under 116 lbs during pre-season weigh-in are not position limited and may run the ball after receiving a handoff or snap.
•    Older/Lighters (O/L) players are permitted under the following restrictions:
•    Only 3 O/L can be rostered.  The 3 shall be declared at the official weigh-in.  Any deviation from the 3 players rostered on the official weigh-in shall be announced and acknowledged to the Town Representative board prior to being eligible for play in accordance with Article 3 Rule 2 para4.
•    O/L player must be in 5th grade.
•    O/L player's weight cannot exceed 75 lbs on the day of official weigh-in.
•    There are no position restrictions for O/L players.

B Division:
•    Players must be registered in grade 5 & 6 and cannot turn 13 years old before 9/1 of the present season with "older/lighters" being the only exception.
•    Players over 155 lbs during the pre-season weigh-in must play as interior linemen on offense (Center, Guard, or Tackle) in a three-point stance.
•    Players between 126-155 lbs during the pre-season weigh-in may play as interior linemen as well as TE on offense.  They may receive a forward pass but cannot receive a handoff.
•    Players weighing under 126 during the pre-season weigh-in are not position limited and may run the ball after receiving a handoff or snap.
•    Older/Lighters (O/L) players are permitted under the following restrictions:
•    Only 3 O/L can be rostered.  The 3 shall be declared at the official weigh-in.  Any deviation from the 3 players rostered on the official weigh-in shall be announced and acknowledged to the Town Representative board prior to being eligible for play in accordance with Article 3 Rule2 para 4.
•     O/L player must be in 7th grade.
•    O/L player's weight cannot exceed 90 lbs on the day of official weigh-in.
•    There are no position restrictions for O/L players.

A Division:
•    Players must be registered in grade 7 & 8 and cannot turn 15 years old before 9/1 of the present season.  No 9th graders will be allowed regardless of weight.
•    There are no position restrictions based on weight as Nutmeg views A team as an opportunity for athletes to prepare for high school football.