We OPPOSE AB734 because:

• Youth Tackle Football is the only sport currently, highly regulated for safety, not just through state mandates but by the conferences and leagues that continue to develop safer policies protecting our participants. Why ban programs that currently have and continue to develop safer regulations?

• Youth Football programs are not just about the sport! They are about having a safe place for children to learn discipline, leadership, community outreach, teamwork, and many more attributes to help them develop into positive role models for the future. The experiences they have on the field during games and practices are priceless, building confidence and a sense of belonging needed for growth into adulthood.

• Research shows that learning safe techniques at a younger age, before the strength and size brought on with puberty, decreases the risks of serious injuries. Muscle memory is formed during a time when the tackles are not full strength, ensuring that safe techniques will continue beyond youth programs when the sport becomes quicker and possibly more forceful. This is when there is a higher risk of serious injury, when a novice player begins the sport at the higher level.   
• Football is not everyone’s choice, but it is our choice and the parents who participate in and support our league want the choice. AB734 is overreaching! DO NOT TAKE AWAY THE CHOICE OF THE PARENTS!

• Banning Youth Tackle Football will ultimately close the majority of youth programs throughout the state! Programs that do so much good in our communities. For some of our participants, football is their only source of positive role models, and our field is the safest place for them. It is where they find support and motivation to strive for excellence in the rest of their lives where opportunities for higher education or “a way out” are rare.

• If California bans youth tackle football athletes will be less competitive for athletic degrees nationwide.

Please share this important issue to help gather as much support as possible. 

Thank you !!