By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

Registration is now open for The Northside Steelers’ 2024 season, with local kids able to sign up either for the football team or the cheerleading squad.

The Northside Steelers is a youth athletic organization open to kids from ages 5 to 14. While their season doesn’t start until August, the team has already begun fundraising efforts and registration.

Audie Chapman, the executive director of the Northside Youth Athletic Association (NSYAA), said the organization is really looking for more support from local businesses for the upcoming season.

“We want to get small businesses involved in the development of our youth athletes,” he said.

For any businesses looking to support the team, Chapman said they should contact the organization through their website, nsyaasports.org.

The upcoming season is also see- ing a major changeup in terms of coaching. Chapman said of the 13 coaches for the season, six of them are new. This is part of a goal of increasing communication between coaches and their players.

“The new goal is to get new faces in for the season coaching-wise, and strengthen them, because we’re going through a transition,” he said.

Typically, a little over 150 kids take part in The Northside Steelers’ season across both the football team and the cheerleading team. Chapman said boys and girls can register for either of the teams, and the experience is invaluable for kids as they grow up.

“It’s important for them to take part, to get out there, to build the camaraderie of teamwork, and build social and emotional relationship skills,” he said.

Parents looking to register their kids can do so by visiting nsyaasports.org/ signup or scanning the QR codes on the flyer which accompanies this article. n