New England Patriots ‘Football for You’ youth program returns to Hanscom

  • Published
  • By Glen Kernusky
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The New England Patriots Alumni Club held a free youth football and cheerleading clinic here April 21 as part of Hanscom’s Month of the Military Child events.

Patriots alumni, current players, and cheerleaders were greeted by a crowd of children and their parents at Hanscom’s softball field and tennis bubble.

“April has been designated as the Month of the Military Child, and Hanscom Youth Programs and the Hanscom Child Development Center plan special activities that recognize and celebrate our children and youth,” said Colleen Davis, director, Youth Programs.

The football and cheerleading clinics were open to children ages 7 to 14 and are part of the Patriots’ Football for You program. Over 60 Hanscom children participated in the event.

“My daughter is a third-grader at the Hanscom Middle School and the youth services here on Hanscom are phenomenal,” said Jessica Marie Gorbet, a Hanscom parent. “It is quite an opportunity to have my child here to meet some of the New England Patriots and learn from them.”

The program featured five different football stations designed to teach participants basic football skills including throwing, blocking, tackling, and pass-and-play. In addition, the Patriots cheerleaders held cheer drills.

“Our Hanscom youth are from all branches of the military services,” said Davis. “The Patriots’ Football for You clinic was a great way to bring them together for an afternoon and to say ‘thank you’ to them and their families. We appreciate the contributions and sacrifices they make on behalf of our community.”

The Football for You program was created by Patriots alumni in partnership with the New England Patriots Foundation and the NFL Foundation to bring the fundamentals of football to kids. The alumni run the program with volunteers from sponsoring partners.

“We are very honored to be on base today and help these kids learn about football,” said Steve Nelson, a former linebacker and  New England Patriots alumni. “We really try to support the children of our service personnel and this was a great opportunity for them to have some fun.”