The Insite is hearing parents in north Houston have started a letter writing campaign to officials with the Texas Youth Football and Cheer Association. This comes after claims the Greenspoint Little League Texans have been banned from the playoffs. We're told this banishment came after several players' parents either couldn't afford or were afraid to send their kids to the Rio Grand Valley for a playoff game this weekend. As a result parents say all teams associated with the Greenspoint Little League Texans have been told they can not participate in the playoffs. Here's a letter from one of the parents:
Parent Writes: The Greenspoint Little League Texans were recently "railroaded" by the
Texas Youth football & Cheer Association. Their youth football
organization has 5 age groups within their one franchise team as
follows: Flag Football (4-6yrs), Freshman (6-7yrs), Sophomore (8-9yrs),
Juniors (10-11yrs) and Seniors (12-13yrs). All age groups "earned" the
right to compete in T.Y.F.A.'s playoffs. The Flag Football team won
their first playoff game last weekend. As a reward, they were asked to
travel 8 hours away to the Rio Grande Valley (20 minutes from the Mexico
Border and Drug Cartels) to play a football game that would last
approximately 45 minutes. The parents informed T.Y.F.A. that they did
not have the funds to travel for the football game (they are
predominantly low-to-moderate income households) and they also raised
concernes about traveling to an area known for kidnappings and murders
by Drug Cartels. They informed T.Y.F.A. that they were not willing to
travel, would forfeit the "Flag" game only and would happily pay a fine
per policy. The T.Y.F.A. officials in turn decided to "Ban" the entire
franchise and not allow any of the other age groups to participate in
the playoff games that they earned. This is not only punishing the
children in the Greenspoint Texans Franchise, but also penalizes the
children from the opposing teams that they were scheduled to play. The
Greenspoint Texans Parents/Board Members are actively seeking legal
counsel to take action against T.Y.F.A. and are getting support from
area churches/pastors/business that sponsor their children. In my
opinion, it is wrong for T.Y.F.A. to "Ban" this franchise and punish
their kids, because of valid finacial obstacles and safety concerns by
the parents. Thank you in advance for giving these parents/children a
voice against the tyrant T.Y.F.A. "Money Machine' that says that they
are "all about the kids".
I think it is an injustice that it had happened. i know that the kids where upset and they didn't understand why just like the parents didn't understand. The chief director said that it doesn't matter if they have the funds or not if they dont' go everyone won't go. check it out there was ONLY ONE TEAM TEAM LEFT IN THE PLAYOFFS...!!! WHAT THE HECK IS UP WITH THAT!!! they could have let us go but no they want to be dorks and other words that i cannot say. who ever is with them should go away. if they were for the kids they should have let us go. I have been in a league where the other team forfeit because the kids didn't want to play not for lack of funds, and i could understand that if it was our kids who didn't want to play, but my child was tearing up because he could play.all TYFA is teaching these kids is if one goes everyone goes it doesn't matter and also if you don't have money why try your not getting anywhere anyway..they should teach kids rise up not everyone is going down because your poor.
ReplyDeletethe chair persons for the TYFA and the cheif director did not want to answer any questions they were rude and just hung up in your face because they didn't want to answer the only question that was asked "why can't the kids play"
ReplyDeleteThose poor kids. It's not there fault so why are they being punished? I happened to visit TYFA website and there model is "Where dreams come true" That is a bunch of BS if you ask me.. If they are making dreams come true let those boys continue having fun all they want to do is play football.. I mean it is all for the kids right!!! I will NEVER and i mean NEVER refer TYFA's organization to anyone
ReplyDeleteMy son plays for the Little Texans Sophomore Division and I have to say it was heartbreaking seeing the kids teary eyed, not understanding why they were not allowed to continue in the play-offs. It's one thing to play hard and lose but it's quite a different story to have something these kids have worked hard toward be taken away from them. Many parents called the TYFA headquarters looking for answers only to be rudely spoken to, talked down upon, and yelled at, in the end no answers were given. It's a shame that an organization that is suppose to be for the kids were not for these kids. I wish they could have seen the demeanor in these young players when the coaches told them they were not able to continue in the play-offs.
ReplyDeleteJust to let everyone know that some of these kids have practiced since May and some since June so right out of school they were practicing, sharing their summer to be prepared to play. Thats all they wanted to do. I would not suggest TYFA to anyone and i told the director that his organization is a bad orginazation not teaching children the right way. he in turn told me that It's unfortunate that you feel that way but we have been in business for 20 years...I inturn told him well that is unfortnate that you have been in business for 20 years..then he told me that that was the end of this conversation and hung up on my face. HOW RUDE!!! He hung up on my face just like the other chair person that I asked..
ReplyDeleteMy little brother plays on the sophomore team. For those who do not know, they were the super bowl champions last year. My brother and his team mates play their hardest in every game and practice three times a week. They do all of this with one goal in mind: to make it to playoffs and defend their championship. But according to TYFA, an organization that is suppose to be for the kids, all their hard work doesn't matter. They are being punished when no one did anything wrong. None of these kids deserve the heartbreak of being deprived of a spot they truly earned and worked hard for. Something needs to be done for these boys.
ReplyDeleteMy little brother plays on the sophomore team. For those who do not know, they were the super bowl champions last year. My brother and his team mates play their hardest in every game and practice three times a week. They do all of this with one goal in mind: to make it to playoffs and defend their championship. But according to TYFA, an organization that is suppose to be for the kids, all their hard work doesn't matter. They are being punished when no one did anything wrong. None of these kids deserve the heartbreak of being deprived of a spot they truly earned and worked hard for. Something needs to be done for these boys.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is to reach out to the field where TYFA will hold their Superbowl...reach out to the college that has granted them their field either for or fee or not for a fee.
ReplyDeleteYou will have to go beyond TYFA officials in order to get anything done. I have spoken with TYFA officials on a different matter and a different organizations and have received the treatment.
Understand, those individuals get paid to do what they do..It is not about the kids. Each board representative receive a salary therefore no matter who is in the playoff/championship games does not matter to them. Protest them. go to San Antonio and the other areas TYFA operates in and protest. Let your voices be heard ...FOR THE KIDS.
TYFA's Houston regional representative has alot to do with this.
You guys are in my prayers. It is time for QUALITY little league football to be housed in HOUSTON.