AB 734 is about to be voted on by committee to be allowed to go to our Assembly. We must stop it now. AB 734 prohibits tackle football from children under 12. What that will do is stop families and children from participating in community and private youth football programs where children would receive the adequate coaching and experience needed to move on through the sport as they get older and stronger, lessening dramatically the chances of getting seriously injured.  Currently, statistics are showing a decrease in concussions primarily in youth tackle football based on how the sport is being taught and the techniques learned when children are younger. Children practice these techniques that gradually build as they grow in the programs, building their muscle memory so by the time they are ready for high school football, they can play safely. Banning tackle football for youth under 12 takes away precious time to allow these techniques to be mastered. This will ultimately increase the chances of serious injuries for our kids going into high school football programs which could eliminate possibilities for college for some kids as well. 

Youth football programs are more than just football.  They are also about creating leaders in our communities, having additional adult role models and support, giving children a sense of belonging and community, and helping our children become scholar athletes.  Pop Warner football has the Little Scholars program that motivates children to maintain their GPAs; just another way to assist the next generation to have more opportunities as they move on into high school and prepare for higher education.  

Youth Tackle Football Programs all meet safety requirements from equipment to staff. All coaches must complete courses on safety including concussion protocol and first aid. Coaches are certified once completing courses on how to teach the current safest techniques past down from the NFL. In Pop Warner specifically they are back ground checked through the DOJ and CPR certified. 

Having children in any sport, there is a risk of injury however, many parents still want the opportunity to choose.  Banning it takes that choice away. I chose for my son to start tackle at 6 even with pulmonary stenosis. His cardiologist agreed that having him in sports would be beneficial to his growing body and could help his condition. Football taught him team work, leadership, interest in his community, reinforced healthy habits of exercise, hydration, rest, and eating right, motivation to keep his grades up and awareness along with learning about a sport he loved. He'll be off to high school this fall and I feel better knowing the skills he learned on the field with Fullerton Pop Warner has prepared him to play football at a higher level safely. 

The committee voting on AB 734 will be voting soon so we need to act now. Let's tell them we want the choice and to vote no on AB 734! This should not waste any more of our Assembly's time.

Thank you for your support! 

-Leah Thomas-Atchison

Fullerton Pop Warner,  Athletic Director