American Youth Football and FieldTurf: For the Love of the Game

MIAMI - In just 10 years, American Youth Football (AYF) has become the largest youth football organization in the USA with over 400,000 members, and FieldTurf has become the runaway leader in the synthetic turf industry. Amazing isn’t it? Well, when you consider what these organizations have done for kids and communities all over North America, it is no surprise that success has become synonymous with American Youth Football and FieldTurf.

During the 2006 Season, ’AYF Giving’ reached an estimated value of $11 million. Through the delivery of shoes to kids pledging to stay in school, athletic equipment, local agency grants, and the emphasis on local leagues and scholarships, AYF is the ultimate youth football organization with a focus on the importance of education, football, and the well-being of the kids. The $11 million does not include ’AYF Parents Giving Back’ and current NFL players giving back to AYF programs. Former NFLers Cris Collinsworth and Howie Long have worked with long-time AYF partner FieldTurf to buy fields for their local AYF program while Adam Archuleta donated money and goal posts to his youth program.

“We are extremely proud of our partnership with American Youth Football and all of the leagues and communities that have joined forces with AYF for the benefit of our youth,” said FieldTurf Tarkett CEO John Gilman. “FieldTurf doesn’t just build state-of-the-art fields, we also care about the communities and want to continue to make contributions to the quality of life and sport in these areas. We are committed to providing opportunities for youths around the globe and are looking forward to providing more and more opportunities for kids to play their favorite sports on a safe surface. American Youth Football and FieldTurf have both made tremendous commitments towards the safety and development of youths all over North America.”

“AYF is committed to improving the lives of children through their participation in the sport of football, academics and community service,” stated Jessica Laufer-Abramovich, Executive Director, American Youth Football. “AYF’s mission of Giving Back is fueled by friends and volunteers nationwide who pride themselves on making a difference in the lives of our children. FieldTurf is a partner that has helped us realize our mission time and time again, and has helped to provide the most important element of all; safe and playable fields in great condition. Often with natural grass fields, the kids can’t get in the amount of playing time that they would like. The development of character and community through sport is the goal of American Youth Football, and we are proud that FieldTurf is our partner in this.”

As a sponsor and supporter of American Youth Football’s mission, FieldTurf helps AYF create goodwill throughout the world of football and for kids across North America. FieldTurf works with AYF supporters to raise funds to buy football fields for their local communities -- and will continue to do so for the good of the game.

Founded in 1996, American Youth Football (AYF) is a non-profit, international youth football organization established to promote the wholesome development of youth through their association with adult leaders in the sport of American football. AYF invites all youth programs to join and participate, without restricting weights or sizes of participants, a league’s financial ability, or any other biases. The focus for this prestigious organization is on academic and athletic excellence.

A long-term, ongoing testing program has proven that FieldTurf is safer than any other turf system and equal to, if not better than, natural grass in most critical areas of player safety. No other company can make such a claim.

FieldTurf is the result of years of research -- evident in the patented FieldTurf infill mix of silica sand and cryogenic rubber and patented layering process that delivers a system which emulates natural grass. Additional benefits are found in improved playability, reduced maintenance costs and flexibility for conversion -- allowing stadium managers to quickly change the field from one sport to another or to easily host a variety of sporting events, concerts and other special events on top of the FieldTurf surface.