Bill Williams, U.S. National Team Regional Director, had a lot of eyes fixated on him and a lot of ears listening to every word that he said as he spoke about what football can mean to young men who love playing the sport.

He had the parents’ and players’ full attention at the orientation on Saturday morning before the New Jersey Regional kicked off. Williams’ words spoke volumes about what he expected not only from the event, but from the hundreds of middle school and high school players that participated in it.

The New Jersey Regional was one of three held this past weekend, with the U.S. National Team also taking over Atlanta and Houston. There’s a total of 17 Regional events taking place this spring, giving middle school and high school athletes a chance to move onto the next stage of the U.S. National Team program.

For middle school athletes, that’s a spot in one of the two 2019 Middle School Bowl Games and for the high school athletes, it’s the honor of playing for the U.S. National team at International Bowl XI.

At the end of a Regional, some kids will get the email or letter that they’re hoping for, while others may end their National Team journey at this stage and hope to try again next year. But regardless of whether or not they grab a roster spot, every athlete will unquestionably be a better player when they step off the field than they were when they stepped on at the beginning of the weekend.

“There’s not a better model in football than what we’re doing at USA Football,” said Williams. “A kid comes here and goes through just our speed circuit, he learns the 40 start, he goes through the Heads Up Football tackle circuit. These kids are coached by guys that have so much experience and so much enthusiasm.” 

From my perspective, my son’s game has noticeably improved with each National Team event he attends. His techniques are better when he steps off the field and any flaws in his game get fixed. He’s has always been passionate about the game of football, but my son has really become a player through the National Team program.

This improvement continued this past weekend at the New Jersey Regional.  

“I find that the kids get better because they see what they’re up against and they see the talent level out there,” said Williams. “They’re getting the techniques to do that.  If they’re not really good, they don’t come back.  We’ve called to get the best of the best.”

At orientation, Williams explained what USA Football and the U.S. National Team program are about, mentioning the many players that have previously suited up for the red, white and blue and later went on to play in the NFL. This includes the six National Team alumni that were taken in this year’s NFL Draft.

“We call them USA kids. Those are our kids. They came through USA Football and the National Team program and we really believe that we made an impact on them. Part of their success is our success and a part of our success is their success.”

Just participating in a Regional can make any young football player better. The dream result is a spot in a Middle School Bowl Game or International Bowl, but the overall experience is enough to enrich a child’s ability and passion for the game.  

See for yourself by securing your child’s spot at one of the nine more 2019 U.S. National Team Regionals that are taking place…

• May 4-5 in Baltimore, Denver and Chicago
• May 11-12 in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and New England
• May 18-19 in Kansas City, Seattle and Minneapolis

 

Peter is a sports anchor for the CBS Sports Radio Network, FOX News Headlines 24/7 and WCBS 880 Radio in New York.  His son Bradley plays middle school football on Long Island and is a participant in the U.S. National Team program while his younger son Jared plays flag football.   Peter, his wife Sheryl and the boys are busy cheering on the New York Jets when they’re not at a youth football field.