U.N.I.T.Y Youth Development or as it’s known “Understanding Needs In Today’s Youth” is a member of the Mid Maryland Youth Football & Cheer League (MMYFCL) spanning Howard, Montgomery, and Baltimore Counties in Maryland. Unity has earned Gold Level status through USA Football’s League Excellence Program for the 2021 season.

USA Football’s League Excellence Program is a way for youth football organizations to earn recognition for a commitment to raise operational standards and provide a great environment for athletes and their families. 

Unity Youth Development reports high standards for its young athletes in both player safety and skill development. The club is led by President Julian McElveen, who has served in this leadership role for eight years. The club welcomes young athletes across ages 8-13, totaling nearly 150 families. “We are looking to grow those numbers even larger as we continue,” McElveen said. 
 

Player safety is fundamental to any youth sports organization’s success. Unity Youth Development makes its athletes its top priority by employing USA Football’s nationally accredited coach certification. The program requires its coaches to complete USA Football certification in order to step on the field. “We go through USA Football’s coach certification modules to be sure that our coaches focus more on player development and safety – that’s more important than winning games,” McElveen added. 

“There are a lot of football teams in our area, and they have all the bells and whistles that you would look for,” McElveen said. “For us at Unity, in addition to those points, we place a strong priority on fostering high character and being well-organized for our kids and their families.”