Looking for ways for your littlest fans to get in on the football action? Here are some fun sports opportunities offered by the Indianapolis Colts!
Cheer
The Indianapolis Colts Junior Cheerleading Program is an exclusive 8-month program for children ages 3 to 14. Your child will receive dance instruction from the Colts Cheerleaders at a monthly clinic, beginning in June. Children will be assigned to a squad and have a Colts Cheerleader as their mentor and coach. Junior Cheerleaders also have exclusive performance opportunities throughout the season. In the past, the Junior Cheerleaders have performed at Indianapolis Indians games, Indy Eleven games, Colts home games, the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade, and an end-of-year recital.
The program is much more than dancing. During the monthly clinics, the Colts Cheerleaders cover topics such as confidence, respect, teamwork and other essential life lessons. The Junior Cheerleaders have the opportunity to serve the community in numerous community outreach projects. In the past, the Junior Cheerleaders have baked cookies at the Ronald McDonald House, decorated footballs to send to our military overseas, hosted toy drives for local shelters and more. For the 2021 season, Junior Cheerleaders are working on a community outreach program per squad, to help give back to the community.
Registration opens in December for the 2022 season. If you would like to be the first to receive information on how to register, fill out the 2022 Waitlist at Colts.com/juniorcheer. Questions regarding the program can be directed to Erin Smith, Youth Cheer Coordinator, at [email protected].
Youth Football
Colts Youth Football runs several programs and initiatives designed to grow and improve the experience of everyone involved in youth and high school football. Focusing on its four pillars – Health & Safety, Participation & Inclusion, Education, and Outreach –opportunities are offered throughout the year for anyone involved in the game of football.
Whether you are currently playing football or looking to get introduced to the game, there are several opportunities to improve your skills. The Big Blue Football Camps and Colts Skills Camp are great opportunities for elementary and middle-school kids to learn the fundamentals of the game in a non-contact setting.
The Colts are focused on improving the health and safety of the game. This season, the team funded USA Football Coaching Certifications for more than 2,500 youth coaches across the state. USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification, the only training for football coaches nationally accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence, provides industry-leading youth coaching and player safety standards.
Each spring, the Colts offer Youth and High School Football grants for programs across Indiana. These grants may aid programs looking to become Heads Up Football-certified, purchase or recondition equipment, update or repair facilities, provide stipends for on-site athletic trainers, reduce participation fees and more.
Visit Colts.com/youthfootball and follow @ColtsYouthFB on Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date information.
