Football FAQs

What is HEYA? 

The Harleysville Eagles Youth Association (HEYA) was started in 2002.  HEYA is part of the Keystone State League (KSL).  The KSL is one of the most competitive youth football leagues in the Philadelphia Area and suburban counties.  HEYA gives children an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of football and cheerleading with the proper adult supervision and adequate equipment in a safe environment.  In addition to our tackle programs, our Travel Flag program operates under the Montgomery County Flag Federation and is available to children ages 5-6.  Children begin to understand teamwork, sportsmanship and appropriate behavior while learning the fundamentals and skills of football.

What are the Weight teams? 

Our flag team does not have a weight class.  Our tackle teams are part of the Keystone State League.  We offer five (5) weight classes; Mites, Midget, Pounders, Juniors, and Varsity.  In addition to weight player's age is also a consideration.  Please see a complete description here.

How much is registration? 

The registration fees for 2015 are:

 *A $25 late fee will be applied after July 1st. ~ The Eagles are waiving this fee for the 2014 season.

How can I register?

HEYA offers 3 easy ways to register.  During early spring we have walk-in registration locally.  We also offer online registration.  Select Online Forms/Registration and select the appropriate registration form.  If you would rather mail us a check, print off your form and send with your payment payable to HEYA.

What will I need for registration?

Besides your payment, you will also be required to provide a copy of your child's birth certificate.  A copy will be required for HEYA's records and also for the KSL to verify your child's age for certification.

What equipment will I need? 

HEYA will provide a helmet, chin strap, mouthpiece, shoulder pads, pants pads, practice pants, game jersey and pants.  The game jersey is yours to keep.  The remainder will be returned at the end of the season. 

Your child will need cleats, socks, practice jersey (or previous year game jersey), athletic supporter and cup, additional mouthpiece and a water bottle.  Additional equipment may be suggested by your child's coach depending on your child's position.

How are coaches selected?

Our coaches are selected by our President and Athletic Director.  Anyone interested in coaching must submit a coaching application and will be subject to a background check.  Applications will be reviewed and approved by the Athletic Director. 

Assistant Coaches must also apply and be approved by the President and Athletic Director.  Head Coaches for each team are responsible for the selection of his/her coaches.

What game day obligations do parents have?

HEYA is an organization completely made up of volunteers.  Our goal is to make The Harleysville Eagles a great experience for players and their families.  To achieve that goal, help is needed from everyone involved. 

Volunteers are needed to work the concession stand, provide your team with a half-time and post-game snack, work the "chain gang", Weigh-in Parent, photograph/video game and work at our spirit wear stand.

What if we are unable to complete the season? 

Please check our refund policy and form under Online Forms/Registration.

When does football practice begin? 

Practices begin on or about August 1st of each year.  Practices are held at the discretion of the individual coach.  Generally practices for tackle football are held 3-4 times a week during the month of August.  Flag practice 2 times a week.  After school begins all teams practice 2 times a week.

What can I expect the first few days of practice?

The first day of practice is basically a meeting with introductions and information to help you become familiar with the practice and the organization.  Your coach will conduct the meeting by giving you a brief explanation of his expectations and what you can expect from him.  He may chose to do his introductions in an email and will let you know what equipment your son should wear for his practices.

When are the games played?

All home games are played at LCBC Church in Harleysville.  Games are played on Saturday but occasionally a week day game or Sunday is necessary.   Younger teams will typically play earlier in the day when games are played on the weekend.

Game schedules are coordinated by the KSL and will be made available during mid-August.  Pre-season games are played in mid-August.  Our regular season begins in September and ends early November.  Playoffs for all teams, except Flag and Mites, are immediately after the regular season with the Championship game held as late as Thanksgiving weekend.  Our Mites participate in the annual Turkey Bowl game held prior to Thanksgiving.  HEYA will have this information posted on our calendar as soon as it becomes available.

What happens when practice is canceled?

Your coach may notify you if practice is canceled.  However the best way to stay informed is to sign up for Text/Email Alerts (see our Welcome Page).   Generally practices are not canceled unless lightning is occuring and the fields are not playable.  If you do not receive notification via text/email and we have not posted a cancellation on our website, please show up ready to practice at your designated time.

Why do you fundraise?

Financial support is needed to assure that our players have the safest and best possible football program.  Fundraising allows us to purchase equipment that is safe for our players, pay for our field rental fee, official fees, insurance, training, and purchase food for our concession stand.

Do you offer sponsorship programs?

HEYA realizes the reason for the sucess of our program each year is support of our sponsors.  If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsors, we offer a number of ways that you can help.  There are five (4) levels of corporate sponsorships available. 

We also offer a chance for you to sponsor a player.  We have made it our mssion that all kids should have the opportunity to play football and cheer.  By becoming a SCHOLAR sponsor you can help a child that is experiencing financial hardship.

For non-corporate sponsors, you can help by purchasing Yearbook ads, Best Wishes or Shout-outs.  You can also choose the amount of your donation and be a Fan Club Sponsor.  For more information on sponsorships, check out our Become a Sponsor page.

Weigh in equipment does not include: Helmet, Shoulderpads, Rib pads, Collar pad (must be attached to shoulder pads), External pads (elbow, arm, etc), Socks are to be above the ankle, pantyhose. All of the above equipment must be brought to the scale area at the timeof the weigh in.

Weigh in line:It is the responsibility of the head coach prior to sending team for weigh in, that he ensures that all members are properly equipped with all pads. Once the players are in line at the scale, it is strongly suggested that a quick review be given again to ensure all pads are in place. If a player is found not to have a pad in place, (prior to the start of the weigh in) it is permissable to get the player the pad immediately. Player must weigh in with the team.

Each player must have their picture registration card at the scale. Note: Some organizations prefer to have cards in folders at the scale. This is permissable.

Rosters are to be in numerical jersey order only. However if rosters are not in numerical order, this is not a reason to delay the weigh in. Report any discrepancy to your league representative who will in turn report circumstances to the league.

No coach may weigh in his team (head coach or assistants) unless they are the only adult present.

After a player is weighed in, the player must report directly to the field, or if inthe case a game is still underway, the player must report to a designated area set up by the host team. Players cannot go to any other area unless accompanied by a representative of the opposing side (adult). If a player (s) goes to anyother area they can be declared ineligble for play in that game.

If the weight indicator on the digital scale exceeds the designated weight for that game, the player shall be declared overweight. And not eligble to play in that game. If the digital scale has a "tenths" column, it should be covered over with tape.

It is the intention of the league that all players participate if all criteria are met. It is not the intention to have weigh in personnel make a player stand on the scale for an undue amount of time hoping that weight indicator exceeds the determined weight for that game. Weigh in the player and get on with the weigh in.

Games are to be played on the field, not at the scale.

Three weigh-in personnel per team are allowed at the scale. No other personnel from the team or parents are allowed. The area is to be kept clear. The only people at the scale should be the player on the scale and team members in line. Two weigh in members per team doing the weigh in and one person each squad helping and watching players put on their equipment once weighed in.

After a weigh in, a player is allowed to add one shirt under their jersey.