End of a Season - Beginning of an Era

End of a Season Beginning of an Era

At the end of the 2016 Youth Tackle Football season, Player Safety Coach Donald “DJ” Jackson shared his thoughts.  He said, “Our first season as an Independent Organization, Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football and Cheer, has come to an end or should I say it marks the beginning of our rise to the top. This season was very interesting and has been full of learning experiences. There is no disappointment in our effort during this season. Although we all feel a little dissatisfied, we know that one of the great things about the game of football is that we can all work on doing things better. When everyone works harder, we will all be rewarded for it. We will work harder and we will ask our players to work harder both on field and in the classroom”. 

He went on to say, “I appreciate all of the time and energy that all of you parents and coaches put in to run our program. I have renewed respect for the parents and coaches that put in so much of their time to help the Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football and Cheer program succeed. Yes succeed. A few weeks ago, I posted on Facebook that we may never win a game by what is on the football field scoreboard, but we are winners. We have fun playing the game. We build our Character. We learn life lessons, respect for others and the rules of the game. We learn sportsmanship and we are ready for the next level. In addition to all of that and perhaps most important, we have good memories that we will keep for a lifetime. We are going to take what we did this year with us for the rest of your lives”.

Player Safety Coach Jackson thanked all who supported the Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football and Cheer program through their financial, in-kind, other contributions, and especially their prayers and said that through their efforts, Youth are experiencing the benefits of the Wilkinson County community working together to realize the potential of our children.

When the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network created the Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football and Cheer program several years ago, it was understood that there would be challenges that had to be addressed.

The 2017 Youth Tackle Football season has been one of many challenges for all; players, parents and coaches. It is important to point out that everyone involved in the Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football and Cheer program has a life and a family and at times there were conflicts of priority, interest and importance. It is also important to point that in spite of the challenges, our youth had all of our complete support.

From the beginning, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network accepted that the development of excellent youth sports programs would require a minimum of three to five years.    We are not there yet, but we are well on our way. 

 During this 2017 Youth Tackle Football Season, we had to make some tough decisions and there is no doubt that in the future, we will have to make some more tough decisions, but we will make them. We make these decisions with the understanding that the right decision is usually the hardest one and the hardest decisions are often the least popular at the time or most misunderstood. But please know this, we will make our decisions with the best interest of the children in mind.

Our accomplishments during the 2017 Youth Tackle Football Season include: USA Football Heads Up certification for the second consecutive year; establishing a website (wilkamiteyouth.com); on-line player registration and background checks for all coaches and adult volunteers. 

In 2017, Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network programs served more than 300 participants in various activities in the Wilkinson and Amite County area. Given the assistance that will be provided by Coach Patrick Davis of the Natchez Saints for our basketball program; the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network’s outreach efforts in the towns of Crosby, Centreville, Gloster and Liberty; addition of flag football and basketball programs; and the positive perception of the programs within the Wilkinson and Amite County area, it is anticipated that the number of participants will increase substantially in 2018. 

 The Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network is dedicated to providing youth with the highest quality team experience through sports participation. Participants will be treated with respect and the opportunity to experience growth in the areas of interacting with others, teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, and skill development. The goal is to create a positive environment that fosters improved self-confidence and self-esteem through experiences in sports activities.  

Finally, in the words of Coach “DJ” Jackson, I will say to our youth, “It matters not if you win or lose, but how you play the game” – and it has been my honor and a privilege for me to be associated with a group of young men who play the game so well. Keep your attitude in check and your grades up. We will see you on the field next season”.