05/25/2026
𝙅𝙊𝙀 𝙂𝘼𝙇𝘼𝙏
𝙅𝙤𝙚 𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙨
Joe Galat’s worldview — and the reason AYF exists in his mind — is profoundly different from the way most youth sports organizations think about themselves.
Football and cheer are not the mission.
They are the vehicle.
The real mission is developing young people into stronger, more capable human beings — academically, emotionally, socially, and morally.
What becomes very clear throughout Joe’s remarks is that he sees AYF as:
* a mentorship organization,
* a leadership organization,
* a values organization,
* and a life-development organization that happens to use sports as the teaching environment.
That distinction matters enormously.
THE CORE OF JOE GALAT’S PHILOSOPHY
1. AYF EXISTS TO BUILD PEOPLE — NOT JUST ATHLETES
Joe repeatedly emphasizes:
* confidence,
* discipline,
* academics,
* leadership,
* resilience,
* opportunity,
* and life readiness.
He clearly believes sports are one of the greatest developmental environments a child can experience when guided correctly.
Football and cheer matter because they teach:
* accountability,
* teamwork,
* perseverance,
* delayed gratification,
* toughness,
* responsibility,
* belief in oneself.
To Joe, the scoreboard is secondary.
The deeper win is:
“a youngster’s first acknowledgment that he can actually compete… that he can do it too.”
That may actually be the single most important sentence in the transcript.
Because it reveals:�Joe sees AYF as a confidence-building system.
2. HE BELIEVES ADULTS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO GUIDE YOUNG PEOPLE
This is one of the strongest themes in the entire transcript.
Joe repeatedly talks about:
* “giving back”
* “protecting youngsters”
* adults “seeing the potential in youngsters”
* mentoring
* tutoring
* leadership through service.
He views coaching almost as a moral responsibility.
Not just instruction.
Stewardship.
He explicitly says:
“A real warrior is a person who protects those who are defenseless.”
That is not sports language.
That is philosophical language.
He sees AYF leaders as guardians of young people.
That’s extraordinarily important.
3. JOE CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THE KIDS WHO NEED HELP MOST
This is another foundational belief.
Joe does NOT frame AYF as:
* elite athletics,
* talent identification,
* or winning championships.
Instead, he emphasizes:
* access,
* scholarships,
* opportunity,
* second chances,
* mentorship,
* social support.
His quote:
“The kids who need the most love are the ones who ask for it in the strangest ways.”
This is incredibly revealing.
It shows:
* empathy,
* emotional intelligence,
* compassion,
* patience,
* and belief in transformation.
He believes youth sports can literally redirect lives.
The Howie Long story is not really about football.
It’s about intervention.
A struggling kid gets opportunity.�A mentor believes in him.�His trajectory changes.�Then he passes it on to his children.
That’s Joe’s worldview:
growth creates generational impact.
4. HE BELIEVES SPORTS CREATE LIFE MOMENTUM
Joe repeatedly frames football and cheer as:
* “a head start in life”
* a developmental pathway
* preparation for adulthood.
Again:�not because of sports themselves —�but because of:
* the habits,
* the discipline,
* the structure,
* the relationships,
* the confidence,
* the expectations.
This is why he emphasizes academics so heavily.
He does not separate:
* athletics
* academics
* leadership
* personal development.
To him:�they are all connected.
5. HE BELIEVES STORIES MATTER
This may be the MOST important insight for your journals.
Joe repeatedly talks about:
* stories,
* examples,
* heroes,
* retelling,
* legacy,
* remembering.
He says:
“The story deserves to be told.”
That line is massively important.
Because:�that is EXACTLY what your journals are doing.
Not creating a new philosophy.
Documenting the philosophy Joe already built.
That changes the positioning completely.
The journals become:
a preservation tool for the AYF mission.
Not a product.
Not merchandise.
Not publishing.
A continuation of the culture.
6. HE BELIEVES AYF IS A COMMUNITY OF SERVICE
Joe spends a huge amount of time:
* thanking leaders,
* praising volunteers,
* praising staff,
* encouraging collaboration,
* emphasizing support roles.
That tells you:�AYF is built around contribution and service.
The organization matters because:�adults choose to invest in young people.
The culture matters more than the tournament.
That’s critical.
7. HE BELIEVES EXCELLENCE IS A STANDARD
Joe repeatedly emphasizes:
* doing things the right way,
* structure,
* professionalism,
* pushing toward excellence,
* accountability,
* support systems,
* leadership standards.
He clearly believes:�young people rise to expectations.
WHY AYF MATTERS (IN JOE’S VIEW)
AYF matters because it provides:
* structure,
* mentorship,
* belonging,
* opportunity,
* leadership,
* identity,
* confidence,
* and life direction
during the most formative years of a child’s development.
Joe does not see AYF as:�a football league.
He sees it as:
a national youth development movement.
Football and cheer are simply the environment where:
* confidence gets built,
* character gets tested,
* relationships get formed,
* and futures begin.
𝘾𝙍𝘼𝙄𝙂 𝙆𝘼𝙍𝘼𝙃𝙐𝙏𝘼
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠
The Noise From The Sidelines
Every weekend, thousands of kids step onto fields looking to play, learn, and have fun. But more and more, the defining sound of youth sports isn't the whistle or the cheering—it’s the negativity. The constant yelling at officials, the critical remarks from coaches, and the intense pressure coming from parents in the stands.
Here is the hard truth: The negativity is driving the issues we see today. It’s why referee shortages are at an all-time high, why good coaches are walking away, and worst of all, why kids are quitting sports by the age of 13. They aren't burned out on the game; they are burned out on the atmosphere.
Kids mirror what they see. When we treat every game like it's the pros, we strip away the joy and replace it with anxiety.
But we have the power to fix this. Imagine if we shifted that energy. What happens when we turn the negativity into positivity?
The Environment Changes: Referees can focus on the game without fear of abuse, coaches can teach instead of managing adult tempers, and players feel safe enough to make mistakes and learn from them.
The Culture Shifts: We stop focusing solely on the scoreboard and start celebrating growth, effort, and sportsmanship. We build an environment where kids actually want to show up week after week.
It starts with a simple choice next game. Let the coaches coach. Let the officials officiate. Let the players play. Your only job from the sidelines or the bench is to encourage, support, and keep it positive.
Let's change the culture and give the game back to the kids.
𝘿𝙀𝙀 𝙂𝙍𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣
The Next Chapter of the AYF National Championships
The announcement is official, and I can honestly say how excited I am for what is ahead for the AYF National Championships.
After many years in Florida, AYF is heading to and the for the 2026 AYF National Championships.
At the end of the day, it is all about football. The competition, the atmosphere, the matchups, and the opportunity for athletes from across the country to compete on the biggest stage in youth football will continue.
What stood out to me most throughout this process is how excited Virginia Beach is to host AYF. The city, leadership, CVB, and partners have welcomed us with open arms and are laying out the red carpet for our athletes, families, coaches, and organizations. They understand the size and impact of this event, and most importantly, they want us there.
As excited as I am about this next chapter, there is also a reality that needs to be addressed across youth sports.
The games will not continue at the level we all want if behavior is not addressed.
We have all seen incidents happen across youth sports involving parents, spectators, coaches, and fans. Unfortunately, it only takes one incident to impact the experience for everyone and potentially jeopardize opportunities for our athletes and families.
AYF will be proactive. Respect for the game, facilities, volunteers, officials, staff, and families is not optional. Our Zero Tolerance policies and expectations will be communicated clearly as we move toward the National Championships and all AYF events moving forward.
If someone cannot control their behavior or respect the environment, then AYF events are not the place for them.
The focus has to remain where it belongs: on the athletes, the game, and creating a positive championship experience for everyone involved.
I truly believe Virginia Beach is going to provide an incredible championship environment for AYF, and I cannot wait for everyone to experience it this December.
𝘾𝙃𝙍𝙄𝙎 𝙋𝙀𝙏𝙍𝙄𝘾𝙃
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙇𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙩
As we kick off the 2026 AYC season, we want to welcome all athletes, coaches, coordinators, volunteers, and families back for another exciting year of cheer and dance. Each season brings new opportunities, unforgettable memories, and the continued growth of our athletes both on and off the mat.
We appreciate everyone’s patience as we finalize this year’s Rulebook. The release is slightly delayed, but it will be available shortly on MyAYF.com. Once released, we encourage all programs to review it carefully to ensure a smooth and successful season.
We are looking forward to an incredible year filled with hard work, sportsmanship, teamwork, and unforgettable moments. Thank you for your continued dedication to AYC and for everything you do to support our athletes and programs across the country.
Here’s to a great 2026 season — we can’t wait to see everyone back in action!
𝘾𝙃𝙍𝙄𝙎 𝙋𝙀𝙏𝙍𝙄𝘾𝙃
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙨
Below are the current Stats:
Atlantic Region
* Facebook 7,050+
* X 210+
* Instagram 2,175+
Big East Region
* Facebook 7,000+
* X 270+
* Instagram 730+
Big West Region
* Facebook 5,300+
* X 130+
* Instagram 290+
Desert Mountain Region
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fn6xYopPD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
* X 120+
* Instagram N/A
Midwest Region
* Facebook 5,000+
* X 150+
* Instagram N/A
New England Region
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AFgKtCLmn/?mibextid=wwXIfr
* X 240+
* Instagram 260+
Southeast Region
* Facebook 5,400+
* X 310+
* Instagram 275+
Southwest Region
* Facebook 6,300+
* X 120+
* Instagram 1,900+
Top Ranking Region on Facebook: Big East
Top Ranking Region on Instagram: Atlantic
Top Ranking Region on X: Southeast
𝘼𝘿𝘿𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝙁𝙊𝙍𝙈𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉
2026 AYF/AYC Endorsed Insurance Program Released
Sadler Insurance has released the new 2026 insurance program for new association enrollments and renewals effective March 1, 2026 and after. This program is the gold standard of all youth tackle football and cheer insurance programs and offers an unbeatable combination of affordability, protection, and convenience. Here are just some of the highlights:
* One stop shop for General Liability (limits $1M, $2M, or $5M), Accident ($250,000 limit), Directors & Officers Liability ($1M or $2M), Equipment, and Crime.
* Our General Liability automatically includes crucial protection for S*x Abuse & Molestation, Non Owned And Hired Auto Liability, and does not include the Participant vs Participant exclusion.
* There is no rate change as compared to the prior year.
* Instant online quote/pay/print and self issuance of new certificates of insurance 24/7.
* Renewing clients can take advantage of pre filled information from the prior year's enrollment to reduce keystrokes and save time on the tedious entry of certificate holder lists. Make sure you click on the link in the renewal email that you will receive.
* Our free AYF/AYC Risk Management Plan available exclusively to our AYF/AYC clients is a single document you can adopt and implement to serve as your educational awareness training and procedures for reduction of risk in child abuse, concussion, sudden cardiac arrest, heat illness, sports injury care, emergency action plan, lightning safety, auto safety, facilities, equipment, supervision, instruction, etc. The password to access this doc is the same as your insurance password.
Visit www.sadlersports.com/ayf for complete information on how to get a quick education on sports insurance, coverages, rates, risk management, and how to apply/renew your coverage.
