By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Shrewsbury – It has been a very successful season for the young members of the Shrewsbury American Youth Football and Cheer Organization (SAYFCO). Recently two football teams and three cheer teams qualified for the regional competition held in Hartford, Conn. Two of the cheer teams – ?Division 10 and Division 13, each placed third in their respective categories. By doing so, the teams each qualified to move on to compete in the national competition which will be held in Orlando, Fla. Thursday, Dec. 12 to Saturday, Dec. 14. (The Division 8 girls also placed third; however teams in the age group do not go onto nationals.)
Susan Lynch has been with the program since its inception five years ago and has been director of cheer for the last four.
“This is very exciting for the girls,” she said. “This is the first time that youth football cheer teams from Shrewsbury will be going to nationals.”
In total, 48 girls will be making the trip to Orlando, she said. In order to help with their expenses, the teams will be holding a series of fundraisers over the next two weeks. ?Over the weekends of Nov. 30 – Dec. 1 and Dec. 7-Dec. 8 they will be “canning” at local establishments. As such, the girls will greet customers of the businesses and chat with them about their teams and the upcoming competition. They are hoping that shoppers will make contributions of any amount to help them with their expenses.
“These are such wonderful hardworking girls,” Lynch said, who also noted that the teams typically work out six hours a week in addition to cheering at the games.
Division 10 girls are ages 8-10 while Division 13 is ages 13-14. Lynch's daughter Danielle is on the Division 13 team.
“This will be the last year for the [Division 13] girls – most of them have been together since they were five or six years old,” Lynch said. “So for them to go to nationals this year is just amazing.”
“There is such a strong tradition of cheerleading in Shrewsbury,” Lynch said. “Most of the girls want to go onto cheer for Shrewsbury High [School] next year.
This year's Division 10 coach is Erly Scott and Division 13 is Kerry Smith.
For those who like to make a donation to help the teams, checks may be sent to Susan Lynch, P.O. Box 534, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
(Photos/submitted)