Youth Football

Gatorade Junior Training Camp

The Steelers hold three sessions of Gatorade Junior Training Camp each summer.  More than 500 kids participate in fun, non-contact football drills and learn about the importance and benefits of staying hydrated during sporting events at the team's practice facility on the South Side each June.   Another group of 250 enjoys the experience at Latrobe High School Stadium as part of Gatorade Days at NFL training camps.  For information on the events, visit www.steelers.com.

 

High School Football

High School Football Championships - Heinz Field annually hosts the City League championships and the WPIAL Championship games.

 

Champions – The Steelers annually host the City League and WPIAL Champion teams in the south endzone seats at our late season games.  They are introduced to the crowd at the beginning of halftime.

 

High School Coach of the Week

Each week during the local high school football season, the team selects a high school Coach of the Week. The coaches are honored with a ceremony during the two-minute warning at Steelers home games. At the end of the high school football season, the High School Coach of the Year is announced.

 

Junior Player Development (JPD)

The NFL and the Steelers annually host a Junior Player Development program for boys and girls ages 12-14. This program was developed by the NFL as an introductory/developmental youth tackle football program, designed to teach every participant every position, through a step-by-step progression of skill instruction packaged in a re-adaptive, fun and entertaining manner. All participants receive instruction from local high school coaches and counseling through a life skills/character development curriculum.

 

 

LISC/NFL Grass Roots Initiative

The NFL Grassroots program is part of the NFL Youth Football Fund, a $150 million fund established by the NFL and the NFL Players Association to support youth football initiatives and donated more than $1.6 million annually to build or renovate youth football fields across the country. The program is a joint venture among the NFL, NFLPA and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the country's leading community development support organization. The NFL, NFLPA and LISC identify local non-profit, neighborhood-based agencies in each city, which are provided with financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of football fields in their local schools, parks and neighborhoods. The local agencies will then oversee the construction, maintenance, and programming of the fields.

 

 

NFL Punt Pass & Kick

The Steelers annually host Punt, Pass & Kick team championships. Forty boys and girls from the tri-state area compete at Heinz Field. For information on local Punt, Pass & Kick competitions, visit www.nflyouthfootball.com.

 

 

NFL Play it Smart Program

Targeted at kids from inner city environments where family and community support are generally lacking, the program is designed to take a student-athlete's passion for sport and intense dedication to their team and transform it into a force for greater good in their lives and has exceeded everybody's expectations. At the heart of the program is the placement of an academic coach in high schools, locally in Westinghouse, McKeesport, Valley and Aliquippa High Schools. The academic coaches work to mentor football players, plus boys and girls participating in other team sports; help students achieve individual, team, academic, and career goals; coordinate programs with school personnel, coaches, and community volunteers; tailor programs to match community needs and resources and organize player participation in community projects. The success of this program is seen in the fact that more student athletes are taking the SAT, including juniors, and more seniors are going to college. The students are also taught life skills which will help them in all areas of their future as well as encouraged to volunteer for various community service projects.  PPG Industries Foundation joined the Steelers as a local sponsor of the program in 2006.

 

 

Steelers/USA Football Coaching School

The Steelers hold an annual Coaching Academy geared toward youth football coaches. In the classroom they learn coaching philosophy, offensive, defensive and special teams skills, along with health and safety tips and communications with both players and parents.

 

 

USA Football Play Football Celebration

The NFL and USA Football celebrate the kickoff of youth football seasons each year with the Play Football Celebration.  The Steelers participate by inviting youth football players from different local organizations to be part of pregame festivities at a preseason game. 

 

Youth Football Halftime
The Steelers hold an annual Youth Football "game" at halftime of a regular season home game, featuring 8-10 year olds at one end of the field and 12-14 year olds at the other.  Fan reception has been tremendous for these halftime presentations.