POUGHKEEPSIE – Surrounded by friends and family, more than 150 kids participated in the Poughkeepsie Youth Football League draft on Saturday. The league is under the NFL “Flag” football program which is the largest youth football program in the country. Boys and girls between the ages of seven and 14 are eligible for the Poughkeepsie League which has 16 teams of budding athletes.
Calling it a “Terrific program”, Mayor Marc Nelson, Joined by Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati and city council members Yvonne Flowers and Lorraine Johnson, cheered on the kids while telling the parents that “We, as a community, are all about the children.” Councilwoman Flowers, like Nelson, had been to numerous events in the city on Saturday, called the draft “A great day for Poughkeepsie.”
Greg Charter is the league’s president and also serves as a coach. “We do this for the children,” he said, adding “This draft is the first of its kind in the country as far as I know.” Charter explained that many of the coaches played football in both school and recreational leagues in Poughkeepsie and are helping out to “Give back to the community”.
Sheriff Imperati, wearing a sweatshirt with the logo of his favorite NFL team, the Las Vegas Raiders, watched as the 7 and 8-year-olds were drafted by one of the four teams in that division. “Seeing this many children, supported by adults is great,” adding “This is one more way to keep the kids engaged – and that is a good thing.”
Mid-Hudson News video of the draft:
