The Amsterdam Varsity Football Program, Greater Amsterdam School District and City of Amsterdam Launch New Junior Rugged Rams Flag Football Program

AMSTERDAM, NY — The Amsterdam High School Football Program, Greater Amsterdam School District and the City of Amsterdam will be partnering the launch of the new Junior Rugged Rams Flag Football Program, providing local youth with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of football in a fun, safe, and team-oriented environment.

The flag football program will take place at Barkley Elementary School and is designed to introduce young athletes to the game through skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and friendly competition. Flag football offers an excellent way for children to stay active, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love for sport.

The Junior Rugged Rams Flag Football Program is a collaborative partnership between the Amsterdam High School Football Program, Greater Amsterdam School District, and the City of Amsterdam. Through this partnership, participants will have the opportunity to learn from local coaches, student-athletes, and community leaders who are committed to helping develop the next generation of Rugged Rams.

Head Varsity Football Coach John Homich II stated, “We are extremely excited about bringing back youth football to the City of Amsterdam. Not only will it give our kids an opportunity to play a sport that so many in our city are passionate about, but it will also teach them discipline, accountability, and essential life skills that they will carry with them for years to come.”

Greater Amsterdam School District Superintendent Richard Ruberti stated, ” We are excited to see the Junior Rugged Rams program grow and create new opportunities for our students and families,” Superintendent Richard Ruberti said. “This partnership between the Greater Amsterdam School District, the city and our community organizations is about more than football. It is about bringing young people together, building teamwork, school pride and strong connections from an early age. Programs like this help introduce students to the game, develop their skills and create a strong foundation that supports the future of our football program at every level.”

The program will be open to youth of various age groups and skill levels, making it an ideal introduction for beginners while also providing opportunities for experienced players to continue developing their abilities. Coaches and volunteers will focus on teaching fundamental football skills in a positive and supportive atmosphere.

Mayor Michael Cinquanti stated, ” I’m both excited and optimistic that this new partnership will instill our entire community with the confidence they need to take part in the effort to help make the Junior Rugged Rams one of the top tier programs for kids in the entire Capital Region. We could not ask for a better person at the helm of this effort than Coach Homich or a better partner than the Greater Amsterdam School District.”

This will serve as the foundation for a growing youth football pipeline in Amsterdam. The long-term goal is to continue expanding participation and opportunities for local youth, building a sustainable program similar to the successful Little Giants organization that served Amsterdam families for many years.

AboutJunior Rugged Rams Flag Football Program

The Junior Rugged Rams Flag Football Program is part of the City of Amsterdam’s ongoing commitment to expanding youth recreation opportunities, strengthening community partnerships, and creating positive experiences for local families.

Registration information, age divisions, schedules, sponsorship opportunities and additional program details will be announced soon. The league will have an opening day festival on July 18th.

The Amsterdam High School Football Program, Greater Amsterdam School District, and the City of Amsterdam will be holding a press conference on Thursday, May 28th at the Barkley School Football Field to officially announce the program and discuss future plans starting at 10am. Additional details regarding the press conference will be released in the coming days.

For more information, please contact: City of Amsterdam Tourism, Marketing & Recreation at Rspagnola@amsterdamny.gov or Mpawlik@amsterdamny.gov.