About the Nonprofit
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Gator Youth Football & Cheer (GYFC) is a 501c3 non-profit located in Westville, NJ serving youth ages 4-14. The organization’s mission is to promote community citizenship, good sportsmanship and physical and mental development through healthy, organized competition and teamwork. Each year we strive to not turn any child away no matter their ability to pay.
Sponsors and/or In-Kind donations are a key component to ensure we can provide this service with safe well-maintained equipment at a cost that everyone can afford. Any donation amount or item large or small can help make a big difference to our program. In-Kind donations will be used at our fall raffle to help raise additional funds. All monies raised or donated to help ensure our community youth get to play by offsetting fees, paying for a registration or to purchase equipment. Upon receipt of your donation, you will be sent a thank you letter including our EIN number acknowledging receipt of your donation to a 501c3 organization. We will also acknowledge your kindness on our website, on our social media platforms and on our event flyers.
The program is open to all, and does not restrict membership due to residency, race, religion, gender or ability to pay. GYFC teaches the basic fundamentals of the sport, fostered good sportsmanship and provides an excellent physical challenge. This accomplishment is under the direction of volunteer board members, and volunteer coaches. There are no paid positions within the organization. It is our vision to continue growing the program to meet the needs of the communities we serve but to do this we need your help. Currently we have need of new equipment everything from pants, to helmets and shoulder pads. It costs us over $265 just to outfit one player and this does not include referee, insurance and league fees. GYFC not only serves youth from the Gateway Regional sending district (Westville, National Park, Wenonah and Woodbury Heights) but anyone from the area. In years past, our rosters have included children from our sending district as well as Deptford, Camden, Mantua, Woodbury, Brooklawn and Gloucester City. While our towns are small and not often thought of as a place for at risk youth, we do serve a diverse population from all socio-economic backgrounds. We even offer financial assistance to families whose children would not otherwise be able to participate in organized sports. Assistance from organizations that our communities utilize such as yours is an important part of our success.
Gator Youth Football & Cheer was started in 1955 by Westville residents Herb Neilio and Walt "Reds" Overs. They soon brought in Tom Pallante, Ed Harvey, Charles Carter and Bill Ebers on board. Westville entered the now-defunct 10-team South Jersey Midget Football League in 1956. Westville played independently again in the mid-1970s before beginning an affiliation with the Burlington County Midget League in 1977 that still exists today.
Gator Youth Football & Cheer (GYFC) is a local community football & cheerleader program with participants ages 4 – 14 years old. GYFC is a member of the West Jersey Youth Football League. The Westville Football field was rededicated and named after Herb Neilio.
Our team while located in Westville, NJ welcomes all youth. Many of our youth are from the Gateway Regional High School’s sending districts (National Park, Wenonah, Woodbury Heights, and Westville).
All levels of experience are welcome, as are youth from other districts and organizations. Our football team is a weight limit” and “age” controlled league providing a safe environment for its players.
The goal of Gator Youth Football & Cheer is not just to teach fundamental skills but also life skills including sportsmanship, teamwork and community pride.
