WATERVILLE – Youngsters in Maine will get a chance to talk with some starting players from the Super Bowl XXXIX Champion New England Patriots during a weekend football clinic at Waterville Junior High School.

Former player and defensive line coach for the Patriots Ray Hamilton, now a coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, will bring some members of the championship team from 2005 to the 11th annual Central Maine Youth Football Clinic.

The clinic will be held June 22-24 at the football field on West River Road. The program runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, followed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and finishes from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday.

The clinic was developed by Whitney Draper of Waterville and Hamilton to give children from across Maine a chance to talk with players and learn a few basic skills. The clinic is open to boys and girls from first to eighth grade, Draper said.

“Even if a child goes to a game at Foxboro,” Draper said, “they don’t get near the players or even get to see them up close. This is a unique experience where a child can walk up and hug a player, have a photo taken with him as well as learn a few tips about agility and coordination.”

The clinic is noncontact and teaches the fundamentals of football. Children do not have to play sports or be on an organized team to attend.

“Can you imagine being a child in a football huddle and looking up to see a Patriot player there with you giving you directions for the next play … there’s nothing like it,” he said. A football scrimmage is held during each session with the Patriot players taking part.

The weekend is not just about football, Hamilton said.

“We talk to the kids about their goals, not just in athletics but also in education; what it takes to be a good student and football player,” he said.

Last year, Hamilton brought Ty Warren and Bam Morris to the clinic. Some players who have made appearances in the past include Rohan Davey, Adam Vinatieri and Bethel Johnson.

“It’s about giving back to the community,” Hamilton said, “and helping the kids along. When we were young, no one helped us that much. It’s a great treat, splitting up the players and doing some team stuff with the kids.”

On Saturday, a cookout is held so the children can eat and talk with the players and also get an autograph and photo. Families are welcome too. The clinic is also open to the public, family and friends to watch.

“It’s held in Waterville,” Draper said, “but the majority of children involved commute for the three sessions. Children come from all over the state. It’s a 100 percent for the kids,” he said.

Children may register at the gate on Friday night or at the start of the other sessions, he said.

There is a minimal fee of $10 per day. For more information, e-mail: [email protected]