Victor Vera Sr. poses for a portrait outside El Comité de Ronmont (455 Kimbark St.) in 2021. Vera is starting a new sports association that will give middle school students the opportunity to participate in tackle football. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)
A local nonprofit, Longmont Latino Voices, wants to ensure equal access to sports for all young people in the city.
Longmont residents in grades 6-8 are invited to participate in the new Longmont Youth Sports Association, sponsored by Longmont Latino Voices. Beginning in early August, the association's teams will play tackle football under Norco Football, a league that draws participants from throughout northern Colorado.
The Longmont Youth Sports Association is spearheaded by LLV founder Victor Vela Sr. Vela, who coached baseball and football in Longmont for nearly 40 years, said he saw a need for affordable, accessible sports programs for local middle school students.
“It's a team sport, so the kids learn how to be team players,” Vela said. “It builds their confidence and character.”
Vera explained that one way to make it more affordable to join a football team is to keep registration fees low: Vera said families can pay more than $800 to have their children play in similar leagues, but the Longmont Youth Sports Association asks for a $200 participation fee that covers most of the athletic equipment.
“A lot of kids who come from less fortunate backgrounds or have financial difficulties don't have the opportunity to participate,” Berra said, recalling his time as a coach. “The main goal was to get those kids involved.”
For families who qualify based on income criteria, participation is just $100, with LLV covering half the cost. Parents do not have to pay the participation fee until the first day of practice.
“The prices are unbelievable,” Bella said. “It's all for the kids. They have money to play with, so they can stay home and have nothing to do.”
Vera said Trail Ridge, Timberline PK-8 and Longs Peak middle schools have responded positively to the news about the Longmont Youth Sports Association, with faculty and staff handing out fliers and encouraging children to sign up. At Timberline alone, Vera said about 60 students have already expressed interest in signing up.
The goal is to recruit enough students at each Longmont middle school to field three football teams, one for each grade level.
“Every gym teacher I've talked to says this is a great idea,” Bella said. “We need this for the kids.”
Vela hopes to work with the middle school to host practices at their football fields once the league begins, and the Longmont Youth Sports Association will also begin looking for adult coaches for the teams as the season approaches.
Berra stressed that soccer experience is not a barrier for future players and coaches.
“We just teach the kids the fundamentals of football: tackling, blocking, running,” Vera said. “If they want to learn, they can join.”
For more information about the Longmont Youth Sports Association or to register, call Vela at 303-587-3495.
