The Montclair Cobras Junior Football and Cheerleading Program will serve as grand marshals of the 2019 July 4th parade in honor of the organization’s 50th anniversary.
The Cobras program is a not for profit private organization which provides opportunities for boys and girls ages 7-13 to compete at the highest level of in both full contact football and cheerleading in North Jersey. The program was started 50 years ago by local football icon Howard Finney, III.
“Now in our 50th season, we’ve grown from a few dads coaching football to a professional association of trained coaches focused on safety first,” said Cobras president and Montclair Deputy Chief of Police Wil Young.
“All Coaches go through multiple certifications to include concussion prevention, recognition and response; heat and hydration, sudden cardiac arrest; practice planning; CPR and more.”
The Cobras play in the Garden State American Youth Football (AYF) Conference, New Jersey’s first unlimited weight junior football league. AYF competes on a national platform where teams annually vie for the national championship.
While wins and losses are typically the barometers of success, the Montclair Cobras Junior Program prides itself on instilling the values of teamwork, discipline and education as boys and girls progress through the seasons. Discipline and accountability on the field and in the classroom are expected and fostered throughout the program. A disregard for these principles could result in disqualification.
“Football and cheerleading are team activities that require a commitment to one’s teammates and to oneself,” said Young. “The mission of the Cobras program is to increase participants’ physical and mental abilities, motivation and, above all, the capacity to learn to put team and community first.”
Registration for the 2019 Season is open. Register online at MontclairCobras.com. Full practice begins July 22, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Glenfield Park. Registration required to participate.
Photos courtesy of Montclair Cobras.