Mission Statement
The San Diego Chargers are committed to the development of youth football in San Diego County and extending the opportunities and experiences the game of football provides.
The San Diego Chargers are proud of their strong history supporting youth and high school sports in San Diego County. Through the Chargers Community Foundation, the team was responsible for the creation of freshmen football and girls' volleyball in 14 San Diego City high schools. In addition, youth football camps in conjunction with Gatorade and STAR/PAL, the NFL Fields Grants, the Alex Spanos All-Star Classic, CIF Championship games and aiding youth football leagues are other examples of the Chargers ongoing commitment to youth sports.
Alex Spanos All-Star Classic
San Diego's premier senior high-school football players perform annually in their own Super Bowl, thanks to the support of Chargers owner Alex Spanos. Every year, Mr. Spanos makes it possible for the players to conclude their high-school careers in the Alex Spanos All-Star Football Classic. The county's best senior football players match-up for a high spirited game between the North and South Schools.
Chargers Junior Training Camp
The Chargers Junior Training Camp is a free, grass roots, non-contact football program designed to teach children the basics of football, exercise and sportsmanship. We will be traveling to different sites within San Diego County throughout the season. Unfortunately, due to player’s schedules, San Diego Chargers players participation is not guaranteed.
San Diego CIF Championship Games
This year, the Spanos family was pleased to sponsor, again, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) San Diego football championships. Because of the Chargers sponsorship, teams throughout San Diego County receive an opportunity to play just like the pros…at Qualcomm Stadium. This year the CIF Championship games will gain be hosted by the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. For ticket information contact the CIF office at (858) 292-8165.
High School Coach of the Week
The Coach of the Week (COW) program recognizes high school coaches who, through their hard work and dedication to young people, have made a difference in the lives of their players, community and school, and provides high schools with financial assistance to help maintain and upgrade their football programs. Each week during the high school football season, the Chargers will select one high school football coach as the COW winner. The winner will receive a $1,500 donation from the San Diego Chargers Community Foundation to the school's athletic department. 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.nflyouthfootball.com.
LISC NFL Youth Football Fields Programs
The NFL Youth Football Fund Grassroots Program is a partnership of the National Football League Youth Football Fund (NFL YFF), 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.
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 the first level of a feeder system to community tackle programs (NFL Junior Player Development) and high school (NFL High School Player Development). For more information on how to join NFL Flag please visit www.nflyouthfootball.com.