Message from the Commissioner
Commissioner’s Vision Statement: “My vision is to continue to grow our program building confidence, sportsmanship and team unity for young boys and girls in effort to create champions in life using the value system earned by being a competitive athlete as the vehicle for success in any endeavor.”  To provide sound coaching, mentoring and teaching the fundamentals of the sport correctly and safely.

 

Dear DYS Families,

It is my honor and privilege to serve as your DYS Football Commissioner. As we breach upon another football year of Thunder Football, I would like to focus on service and volunteerism.  Using past words “Without even knowing each other we are instantaneously bonded by one common goal: To build Champions and Players of Character”. To reach that goal it will take an incredible amount of work and dedication from all of us, coaches and parents alike.

My vision going forward is for DYS to not only be the best youth football organization in the Fairfax County Youth Football League (FCYFL) but the best organization period. That starts with having quality volunteers from commission board members to coaches and team managers and yes the parent’s involvement as well. Volunteers who spend countless hours of their time and commitment to the program are what keep the wheels spinning.  Last season we had a great group of coaches. Our 2019 season saw 9 of the 10 teams making it to the county play-offs, 5 of those going on to the finals and 2 teams winning Championships.  In our ranks are Coaches who have high school and middle school coaching experience. Coaches who have played collegiately, all the way up to the D-1 level and a n NFL player as a Coach. Coaches who don't even have kids playing in the league and simply do it because they love the game and love teaching and mentoring kids. These guys along with your support are the ones who will make a difference in the player’s lives in learning the game as they develop an admiration and love of the game. They are the ones who make this a great league. As the Commissioner, I am committed to putting the best possible people in those positions of Coaching, Mentoring and Developing our young boys and girls in this the best team sport of all, “Football”.

So, how do we measure success?  Are we recruiting new players?  Do returning players come back each year? Do the kids that have played in our program continue to play through high school and beyond? We can answer yes to all three of these questions.  We have a ton of kids who have had an impact on Champe, Freedom, Rock Ridge, Independence, and soon Light Ridge and Paul the VI High Schools that will come through Dulles Youth Football.  I am confident that many more talented youth players will step up this season and in future seasons to come and go on to do great things.  I love to see former players having success at higher level of play.  This tells me that they developed a love for the game and learned a few things while they were in DYS.  Are our players being taught how to be leaders? Are they having fun? Are they building relationships that will last a lifetime? Are they being taught how to play this great game safely?  That to me is the road map to success!

In closing I'd like to thank the parents who allow their children to be a part of our Thunder Family, all of the players, all of the volunteer coaches, all the unseen volunteers, commission staff members and the entire Dulles South Community.  Let's make 2020 the best season yet.  Let’s get out and recruit. If you are excited about making DYS football’s 2020 season the best ever, I would love to hear from you.  Interested in coaching? Join us at our Coaches' Meeting. Please email me your contact information and I will send out invites of times and locations. If you have any ideas on making us better- email me. Football@dullesyouth.com

On a final note: I know it seems like football season is still far away but time will fly by. In preparation for evaluation week in August, I highly recommend participants stay active during the off season. If you are not already involved in another sport; what a great time to try something new like spring flag football (DYS registration is open), spring speed and agility training, wrestling or baseball, to name a few. Otherwise, be sure to go outside and be active for at least 30 minutes of the day; by developing a habit of being active, it will be easier to get back into the grind and spirit of DYS Thunder Football.

 

Sincerely,

DeWayne Conley

DYS Football Commissioner

Football@dullesyouth.com

“Winning is Hard Work”