WHO WE ARE

Registration for Young Thunderbirds Tackle Football program is April-June each year. Practices begins July. League and post-season games run August-November. We have offerings for 1st grade through 6th grade athletes. Our 1st/2nd grade athletes play in an 8v8 league on a shortened field. Our 3rd-6th grade athletes play on a full field, 11v11.

Teams 3rd-6th play through Northeast Kansas Football League with home games on the turf stadium at Shawnee Heights High School. Away games are held at various locations that include Basehor, Lansing, Lawrence, Eudora, and others. Because NKFL only offers 3rd-6th, our youngest team is part of Sunrise Optimist. The 1st/2nd grade combination team plays games at Seaman High School in Topeka with potential for two home games. 

There is a place in our program for players of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Our coaches believe in the long-term development of athletes!

In 2023, we began to offer a cheer program for siblings and friends to support their YTB players. We continue to develop this program each year. The program is currently lead by a SHMS cheer coach and fellow YTB mom. Cheer participants have weekly practice and will rotate supporting the organization at home games.

Our program is ran by volunteers like you! See how you can get involved here.

WE ARE THE YOUNG THUNDERBIRDS

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. 

It's not how big you are. It's how big you play.

Football is like life - it requires hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.