Time to Play Football!!!

The San Diego Chargers continue to be the largest contributor and sponsor of youth and High School Football in San Diego County!  This strong history of support can be seen annually in such programs as the Chargers High School Coach of the Week, the Alex Spanos All-Star Classic, Junior Chargers Training Camps, the Annual Salute to Youth Football, and now the team’s strong commitment to the new Heads-Up Football training program.

Helping ensure all children have the opportunity to play, and that youth coaching staffs have the proper tools to make the game fun and safe, is key to the Chargers support of football at all youth levels.

For more information on the Chargers many youth and high school football related initiatives, click on the links below.

Alex Spanos All-Star Classic

Each year, San Diego County’s best senior high school football players will square-off in the Annual Alex Spanos All-Star Classic.  Just completing it's 26th anniversary, This high-spirited match-up between North and South schools is made possible through the long-time generosity of the Spanos family and the dedicated work of the High School Sports Association. The longest-running high school all-star football game in California, the Alex Spanos All-Star Classic is played on a Saturday in mid-January each year at San Diego Mesa College.

USA Football 

USA Football is the sport’s national governing body; leading the game's development, inspiring participation and ensuring a better and safer experience for all youth, high school and other amateur players.  USA Football, an independent non-profit and official youth football development partner of the NFL and its 32 teams, was endowed in 2002 by the National Football League and the NFL Players Association.  Heads Up Football is a new, comprehensive youth football membership program developed by USA Football and supported by the NFL to further strengthen youth player safety.  Nearly 2,000 youth football leagues across the United States have committed to the health and safety of their young players by adopting Heads Up Football in 2013. Click here to see information on local Heads Up Footballactivities or visit www.usafootball.com/headsup for more information on both USA Football and Heads Up Football initiatives.

Junior Chargers Training Camp

Presented by Kaiser Permanente

Junior Chargers Training Camps are a free, non-contact, football inspired program designed to teach children the basics of football, exercise and sportsmanship. These camps, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, are also a fun, recreational way for kids to get outside and get active all while participating in real NFL-style drills!  Camps can be scheduled at your school or organization and are geared to boys and girls 7-14 years of age.  Please understand that due to player’s schedules, participation by San Diego Chargers players is not guaranteed.  Host a Junior Chargers Training Camp at your school today! Click here.

San Diego CIF Championship Games

Each year the Chargers are pleased to assist in sponsoring the CIF San Diego Section’s annual football championships at Qualcomm Stadium.  Thanks to the team’s annual donation, high school football players are able to compete at “The Q” just like the Pro’s. To help ensure a fun game day atmosphere, the Chargers also provide the use of their specially made “Chargerized” stadium wrap, and cover the additional expense to hang and remove the covering.  For more information on the CIF San Diego Section Championship games contact the CIF San Diego Section office at (858) 292-8165 or at www.CIFSDS.org.

Chargers High School Coach of the Week

The Chargers High School Coach of the Week (COW) program annually recognizes local high school coaches who have made a difference in the lives of their players through leadership, hard work and a special dedication to their young scholar athletes. 

Each week during the high school football season, the Chargers select one high school football coach as the COW winner. The winner receives a $1,500 donation from the San Diego Chargers Community Foundation to the school's athletic department.  At the end of the season, one Coach is then selected as the Chargers’ Coach of the Year and receives an additional $2,500 for their athletic program. Through the Coach of the Week program, the Chargers have provided more than $200,000 in financial assistance to local high schools to help maintain and upgrade local sports programs. For more information, click here.

NFL Punt, Pass & Kick

Punt, Pass & Kick is a national skills program for boys and girls ages eight to 15, to compete separately against their peers in punting, passing, and placekicking. The free program, which has been in existence since 1961, is open to boys and girls in four age divisions: 8/9, 10/11, 12/13 and 14/15. For more information on how to register for a competition in your area please visit www.nflppk.com

LISC NFL Youth Football Fields Programs

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program is a partnership of the National Football League Foundation, which provides funding for the Program, and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which provides technical assistance and manages the Program. The goal of he NFL Grassroots Program is to provide non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields. The NFL Grassroots Program provides grants up to $200,000 for capital improvement projects. The National Football League Foundation (NFL Foundation) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and safety of sports, youth football and the communities in which we live.  The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health and safety of athletes, youth football and the communities which support our game.

For more information on guidelines and eligibility, please download a LISC NFL Youth Football Fields packet here.

NFL Flag

NFL Flag is the NFL's official youth league for boys and girls, ages six to 14, and their parents. NFL Flag is a community-based program that provides an opportunity for children and families to become involved in football through participation early in life and play in an organized NFL non-contact football league. It also helps develop the first phase of player and coach development by teaching football skills while structuring a feeder system to high school (NFL High School Player Development). For more information on how to join NFL Flag please visit www.nflflag.com