Columbia Youth Football League Families, Coaches, Sponsors, and Community Members,

For more than 50 years, the Columbia Youth Football League has provided opportunities for young athletes to learn, compete, build friendships, and become part of something bigger than themselves. We are proud of that history, and even more excited about where we are headed next.

Over the past decade, our league has experienced tremendous growth. We've expanded participation, strengthened relationships with neighboring communities, improved our facilities, increased access to the sport through scholarships and free camps, and built stronger connections with our local high school programs. Through it all, our mission has remained the same: provide the best possible football experience for the kids of Columbia and the surrounding communities.

As many of you know, there have been significant changes within youth football across Mid-Missouri over the last several months. With change often comes questions, rumors, and uncertainty. While we won't spend time focused on those distractions, we do want our families and supporters to hear directly from us about the future.

And the future is exciting.

Today, we are proud to formally announce the launch of the Columbia Youth Feeder League.

Working alongside our local high school programs, we are creating a true developmental pathway that connects youth football to the schools and communities our athletes will one day represent.

Beginning this season:

• Teams will be organized by school district and feeder boundaries beginning in Kindergarten.
• We will follow MSHAA eligibility principles to ensure fairness and consistency across our program.
• Current tackle teams will be permitted limited grandfathered exceptions for existing player relationships, allowing a smooth transition as we move toward a fully district-based model over the next several years.
• Grade levels will be combined where necessary to ensure strong participation, local competition, and a sustainable schedule.
• Games will be played locally whenever possible, reducing travel while increasing opportunities for families and community members to attend and support our athletes.

This model benefits more than just our players.

Young athletes will learn the terminology, techniques, and culture of the programs they will eventually join in high school. At the same time, aspiring coaches will have opportunities to learn directly from local high school systems, build relationships, and develop their own coaching skills within the community.

We're also excited to announce a major evolution of our competitive football program.

For years, families often felt forced to choose between playing for their school-based team or participating in competitive travel football. We believe Columbia's athletes deserve both opportunities.

Moving forward, every grade level will have a single All-Star team selected from athletes participating within our feeder program. These teams will compete in select pre-season and post-season competitive events while allowing players to remain fully connected to their community-based teams throughout the regular season.

This new structure allows us to:

• Keep athletes connected to their friends, schools, and communities.
• Reduce unnecessary competition between recreational and competitive programs.
• Showcase the very best athletes in Columbia through true city-wide All-Star teams.
• Create greater collaboration among coaches focused on what is best for every child.

Most importantly, it ensures that the developmental experience comes first.

As we look ahead to the upcoming season, we are incredibly optimistic about what this means for the future of football in Columbia. We believe this structure will strengthen our community, support our local high school programs, create better opportunities for coaches, and provide an outstanding experience for every athlete who puts on a jersey.

Registration is now open, and our $50 Early Registration Discount is still available for a limited time. Till June 8th.

If you've been considering signing up, now is the time.

Thank you to our players, parents, coaches, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who continue to make this organization possible. Together, we're building something special, and we can't wait to see what the future holds.

See you on the field,

Columbia Youth Football League Board

Please see the message below from Columbia Parks and Recreation regarding parking changes at Cosmo Park.

Hello everyone!

Just a reminder that we have our first Fall 2026 cheerleading informational meeting this Thursday, April 9th at 6:00pm at the Columbia Fieldhouse. If you are interested in attending either that session or the second session on Thursday, May 21st, please use the Google doc link below to RSVP. Our new cheer director, Marina Chiodini, is excited to meet with all of you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecx2qGiQT_DQPqGUBI3KNEvMyEfnnShbOCaZLCA2GafUdOfA/viewform

Hello Columbia Youth Football!

We are pleased to announce that we have a new cheer director that will be restarting our cheer program this fall! Welcome, Marina Chiodini! A little about Marina - She is a dedicated cheerleader and coach with over 6 years of experience in competitive and sideline cheer. She has trained in tumbling, stunting, jumps, and dance. She has competed at the Illinois High School Association state competition twice, performed half time during two Capital One college bowl games in Orlando, and was her high school team mascot. As a coach, Marina has worked with athletes ages 5-12, focusing on skill development, confidence building, leadership, and technique. 

Marina will be hosting several informational sessions over the next few months and we encourange anyone interested in cheer to attend to see what Marina and Columbia Youth Football have to offer. Her first session is April 9th at 6:00pm. Her second session is May 21st at 6:00pm. Both information sessions will be at the Columbia Fieldhouse.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Marina using the Google doc link here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecx2qGiQT_DQPqGUBI3KNEvMyEfnnShbOCaZLCA2GafUdOfA/viewform?usp=header

Hello Columbia Youth Football!

We just wanted to send out a reminder that our spring flag registration closes on March 20th so make sure and get your kiddo signed up! We are offering co-ed flag football for K through 8th grade this spring. Practices will start March 30th so late registration may not be available. DO NOT WAIT - SIGN UP TODAY!

Coaches - If you have not already, please reach out to Amanda and let her know if you plan on coaching this spring or in the fall. It is a new year so we will need new background checks and new USA Football certifications (both flag and tackle certifications for those coaches doing both). If you have completed your USA Football certificate for 2026, email it to Amanda at cyfl.footballsecretary@gmail.com. Amanda will send the background check link out once we get closer to the start of the season.

For the spring, we could especially use coaches for kindergarten, 7th grade, and 8th grade so if you are interested, contact Amanda at cyfl.footballsecretary@gmail.com.

Thanks!

CYF

Reminder that our last equipment return for the season is tomorrow (Tuesday, 12/30) from 5-6:30pm at the sheds at Cosmo. If you are unable to make it tomorrow, please reach out to cyfl.footballsecretary@gmail.com ASAP to arrange for an alternative time. Any equipment not returned after tomorrow will forfeit their deposit. 

Thanks!

Columbia Youth Football

Hello everyone!

Now that our competitive teams have finished their season, we will be doing our final equipment return on Tuesday, December 30th from 5-6:30pm at the Cosmo Park equipment sheds for any player that still needs to return their pads, helmet, and practice pants OR any coaches that still need to return practice equipment. Any equipment that is not returned after this date will forfeit their deposit.

If you are NOT able to make it on December 30th, please reach out to Amanda at cyfl.footballsecretary@gmail.com to coordinate an alternative time.

Thank you!

Hello everyone!

Our 2026 Spring Flag registration is officially open! Each grade has their own registration on the website so please register your kiddo for the grade they are currently in right now. If you are planning on applying for a Day Dreams Scholarship for the spring season, please DO NOT register for your grade and use the Day Dreams Application registration instead.

Cost is $150 for grades K through 8th grade and that includes the jersey. Practices start March 30th. Our first game will be Sunday, April 12th and games will run until Sunday, May 17th. We will use May 31st as a make-up day for any games that have to be rescheduled due to weather or other issues. Sunday, June 7th will be the optional tournament for any teams wanting to participate.

Registration will close March 20th so do not wait and get signed up today! If you are interested in coaching this spring season, please reach out to Amanda at cyfl.footballsecretary@gmail.com. 

Thanks!

Columbia Youth Football

Hello Parents!

First off, we want to thank all of our parents for your continued support of CYF Inc. We would not have a league without you and your players!

As we wrap up 2025, we are asking every parent to take a few minutes to fill out the Parent Post-Season Survey. Your feedback is extremely important as this is your chance to help shape the direction of the league and make an impact on future seasons! Please seen the link below to fill out the survey. Thank you again for your committment to CYF Inc!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7x3JYViGjqmKKMOiF1o6uroJfcCethhbAI9rI6CS2VfFGmA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=109480238782615854147

Julie and Marshaye will be at the equipment sheds this Wednesday 11/13 from 5-6:30pm for another equipment return. If you have not returned your equipment and your season is over, please try and make this last equipment return. With basketball and wrestling seasons starting across Columbia, the board has limited availability to meet players outside of these equipment return days. We will have one last equipment return in December when our competitive teams are done with their season and then checks will be deposited for all remaining equipment that has not been returned. 

If you have any questions, please reach out. Thank you!