2025 Season Enhancements

For the 2025 season, the age/weight matrix has been refined to enhance competition and participation. Key changes include limiting each division to three age groups instead of four and increasing flexibility in player placement. These reforms aim to:

1. Enhance the level of competition.
2. Increase enrollment and participation rates.
3. Provide a more accurate matching of players by age.
4. Align players more closely with their grade level through adjusted birth date eligibility.

Age and Weight Guidelines

The NVYFL uses an age and weight matrix to ensure balanced team composition and safety. Age is determined as of July 1st of the playing year. 

Competitive Divisions

The NVYFL divides most weight classes into three developmental levels to accommodate diverse skill levels, allowing players to grow at their own pace. Exceptions include the Anklebiters division, designed solely for development.

ANKLEBITER DIVISION

• Age 7 is unlimited
• Age 8 can weigh up to 95lbs
• Age 9 can weigh up to 55lbs

RISING STARS (OLD 80LB) DIVISION

• Age 8 is 96lbs to unlimited (105lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
• Age 9 can weigh 56lbs to 105lbs
• Age 10 can weigh up to 91lbs

JUNIOR (OLD 90LB) DIVISION

• Age 9 is 101lbs to unlimited (115lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
• Age 10 can weigh 91lbs to 115lbs
• Age 11 can weigh UP TO 100lbs

JUNIOR VARSITY (OLD 100LB) DIVISION

• Age 10 is 116LBS TO unlimited (125lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
• Age 11 can weigh 101lbs 125lbs
• Age 12 can weigh up to 110lbs

VARSITY (OLD 115LB) DIVISION

• Age 11 can weigh 126LBS to unlimited (140lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
• Age 12 can weigh 111lbs to 140lbs
• Age 13 can weigh up to 125lbs

PREP (OLD 130LB) DIVISION

• Age 12 can weigh 141lbs to unlimited (185lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
• Age 13 can weigh 126lbs to unlimited (175lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
• Age 14 is unlimited (165lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)

Only youth between 7 and 14 who weigh at least 40lbs may participate in NVYFL. All youth shall play in the Age/Weight Division for which they are eligible. There will be no waivers.

Commissioners check birth dates and weights at club registration and the official NVYFL Weigh-In. For example, a 10-year-old will play in the Junior (Old 90lb Division) if he weighs 91 to 115 pounds. He may not play in the Junior Varsity (Old 100lb division) unless he weighs at least 116 pounds. See the official rulebook for additional information.

PLEASE EMAIL FOOTBALL@VYI.ORG WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS