The Ultimate Testament to Team Spirit and a Strong Community
I have always said that the City of Rockwall is one of the largest small towns in North Texas. It is a city that is separated from the everyday hustle and bustle of Dallas because of Lake Ray Hubbard. The community is complete with exemplary schools for our children, and numerous churches to meet our spiritual needs. Strong values are instilled in our children, and parents work hard to provide advantages to them.
Every week, the RYCA Jackets football league conduct practices two times a week, with most games played on Saturday. As a coach, I get the pleasure of working with the boys at each event. However, this particular night; I was able to witness “The Spirit of Team” which is a testament to the organizations leaders, our parents, and the boys who battle in the trenches every week.
I am sure every football team has a story like this to tell, but this one touched our team and I am able to share it with you.
All year, our head coach has preached what it means to be a team. The RYCA Football organization has shared this same message from the beginning. On the eve before “The Battle of the Unbeaten” game which will be held a Wisdom Field, the Nebbie Jackets displayed an act of solidarity with their teammates. It wasn’t anything that mainstream media would take interest in, but it was such a minor act that will carry over into life.
The Nebbie Jackets have shown tremendous resolve and support throughout the season. For example, Saturday, September 7th was a hard fought battle between the Heath Hawks 6th Grade team and the Nebbie Jackets 6th Grade team. The game was tied 6-6 at halftime and both teams traded another score in the 3rd quarter. Nebbie Jackets kicker, Lake Johnson had missed two extra-point kicks after both of the Jackets score. However, the players continued to give him encouragement. When the Jackets scored the go-ahead touchdown; Lake drilled the ball through the uprights to lock-down an upset victory helping the Nebbie Jackets defeat the Heath Hawks 20-12.
Practice with the Nebbie Jackets has always ended with sprints up and down the “Hill” at Williams Middle School. For those of you who do not know what the “Hill” is; it is about 40 yards of elevation behind the middle school that provides a 40 foot climb. Usually this hill provides enjoyment for the kids once a year in Rockwall when it snows, but August through September it provides a challenge that will increase endurance and strength after a 2 hour practice. Usually, there are 2 or 3 linemen who would not complain if the district decided to level this hill completely because of their complete disdain of the obstacle. However, every practice- you can see players who have already completed their task running back up the hill to help encourage their teammates to finish.
At Last weeks practice, players were recognized by their coaches for taking up for a kid (who wasn’t on the team) for being bullied at a Lake Point Function. The players saw one of their 6th grade classmates being picked on by some Heath players, and they put a stop to it very quickly.
Last nights practice was one more example of team solidarity these 11 and 12 year old 6th grade football team showed. After one of the starters was suspended for a game at the parents and coaches request because of poor grades; the player also had to run extra wind sprints. Because it was the night before the game; the rest of the team did not have to run in order to keep their legs fresh for the next day game. This player, although being suspended for a game, still showed up and stood on the sideline making sure all of his teammates stayed hydrated during the game. He never sulked, and took complete responsibility for his actions. When practice finished up; he had to line up to run several 50 yard sprints by himself. Once his teammates saw that he was being disciplined; they showed that they were all part of the team by lining up to run the sprints with him.
Was this a life changing event that happened? It probably doesn’t seem to be at first glance, but what are these boys learning when youth football is a distant memory. They are learning community and team support.
The community of Rockwall is a lot like the Nebbie Jacket Football team. We share with our neighbors, give when there is a need, celebrate successes, and encourage those who are down. This week the Rockwall Jackets High School Football Team will be playing in their annual Homecoming Game. Most of Rockwall will be coming out to not only support the Yellowjackets, but also to join hands and support the community.
I for one am glad to be part of the Rockwall community, and have such great friends to share these types of experience with.
Congratulations RYCA Jacket Football. You are helping today’s Rockwall Youth learn what it means to be part of a team.
The Rockwall Youth Community Athletics (RYCA) Jackets are proud to be a part of the Rockwall County Community as a premier youth sports program. The RYCA has a strong commitment to principles and strives to be a community-driven organization with the genuine participation of athletes, volunteers, parents, family members, teachers, school administrators and local businesses. We encourage the RYCA Family to attend community and district events and to always support our community and display our Jacket Pride.
The RYCA will make every effort to make sure that every child with the desire to participate gets the opportunity to play or cheer, without financial costs, prior experience, athletic ability or size. We are devoted to inspiriting our young athletes (kindergarten through 6th grade) and will give them the challenge of competition, the joy of victory, the reality of defeat, the importance of commitment and spirit in the community. We believe these values and virtues are important to athletes’ growth and to them becoming active members of our community and society. The RYCA Jackets are on a mission to give back to the community, to be the community’s youth sports program, to rally Stingers’ Up!
Rockwall Youth Community Athletics (RYCA) and Heath Hawks Youth Sports (HHYS) organizations combined, bring 24 teams from Kinder through 6th grade into the LRHF. The RYCA also includes a Rockwall cheer program that brings 7 Jacket squads and over 100 cheerleaders into the league.
USA Football (www.USAFootball.com) has certified the league, where each player, coach and assistant coach are certified through weigh-in and age verification, as well as heads up training programs and background checks, to ensure that safety and the well-being of the players is the #1 priority.
“We are looking forward to starting our 2016 season, while providing a game day experience that is fun for all, energetic and safe for our children,” said Brandon Neighbors, RYCA Board Member. “This weekend we got to see the excitement in the eyes of our players, as they received their uniforms on Saturday and then suited up to take photos at Harry Meyers Park on Sunday.”
Rockwall Jackets Football 