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The club purchased 160 soft-shell helmet covers, at a cost of $7,000, which will be used during its fall football program, YAC officials said. The purchase was approved at the club’s June meeting.
The caps, made by Guardian, are designed to reduce the impact of blows to the head, as well as to other body parts.
“For football, as in every YAC sport, the health and safety of our players comes first,” said YAC President Bob Kohl. “Nothing is more important to us than staying ahead of the curve by providing the best protection available for our young athletes.”
Calling the helmet covers “an extremely wise and worthwhile investment,” YAC football co-commissioner Matt Talbert added that even if they prevent just a single injury they will be “well worth the cost.” Joe DeCanio is YAC’s other co-commissioner.
YAC said other safety measures -- such as the USA Football Coaching Certification and Tackling Technique training -- are already in place.
Finally, YAC pointed to more than 500 other football programs that use Guardian caps as a secondary protection system. Locally, they include John Jay Youth Football (Cross River), John Jay High School (Cross River), Mahopac Youth Football and Ridgefield (Conn.).
Marist College in Poughkeepsie, and Syracuse University, use them as well, YAC said.
For more information, visit: www.guardiancaps.com
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