WATERVILLE – The 13th annual Central Maine Youth Football Clinic-Camp will take place June 26-28 at the Alfond Youth Center fields in Waterville, with pro football players and an NFL coach as teachers.

With the help of corporate sponsors, the three-day clinic costs $50 per child and includes a barbecue lunch on Saturday, the football instruction clinic, scrimmage game on Sunday and chances for autographs and photos. Boys and girls in grades one to eight will be divided by age groups and attend different stations to work on agility and coordination, Assistant Director Mike Blanchet of Farmington said.

There are a limited number of scholarships available to help with the registration cost, he said.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday, June 26, and players are back on the fields from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. A scrimmage game is planned for Sunday, followed by an autograph and photo session. Hours are 9 to 11 a.m.

“The benefit is for young kids who get to be close with the role models they see on TV,” Director Whitney Draper said. “When you get to sit and have a hamburger with them, it’s something you remember your whole life.”

New England Patriots players Ty Warren, Pierre Woods and Eric Alexander, and former Patriot Ray Hamilton, a defensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons, will teach, play and eat with the youths.

“They’re not in it for the money; they’re in it for the kids,” Draper said. “It’s very unique, and it’s here for all kids in Maine. No one is turned away boys, girls, even handicapped children can participate.”

Draper developed friendships with New England Patriots players while attending sporting events and called on those friendships 13 years ago to begin the clinic/camp.

“I was interested in seeing children have something to do during the summer and to let them see the role models they see on TV up close,” he said.

To preregister for the clinic, e-mail blanchets@myfairpoint.net or call 491-6939 for more information. Children may also register at the gate.


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