Youth football, cheer camps come to a close
Brentwood Home Page news reports
The Brentwood Blaze will conclude its annual Spring Football and Cheer Camp today and the local youth athletic program looked to local high school football coaches for help this year.

The goal is to “provide an opportunity for athletes and parents to meet, and hear from, our local high school coaches,” explained Amos Jones, the Blaze’s athletic director.

Ravenwood defensive coach Paul Neil addresses the young Blaze campers Tuesday at Crockett Park.

At cheer and dance camp Tuesday, young campers practice their moves. Photos by Jodi Rall.

“Often times, our 13-14 year olds, and their parents, struggle with the decision to keep playing with the Blaze or transition to their school teams. Coach Ron Crawford (Brentwood), Coach Brian Rector (Centennial) and Coach Joe Rietveld (Ravenwood) are all interested in helping with that transition.”

The camp for football players is being held concurrently with a cheer and dance camp for girls. Both are geared for ages 5 to 14.

Each of the high school coaches promised to help and speak on different nights. On Tuesday, Ravenwood defensive coach Paul Neil stepped in for Rietveld, who was unavailable since he is still in transition.

The Blaze coaching staff helped the players new to the game understand the types of skills, conditioning and terminology they need to be successful on the field. For the “veteran” Blaze players, the coaches worked to refine the players’ game knowledge of the game, physical preparation and techniques to help them achieve their goals on the field.

The older boys preparing for their high school experience, received interaction with the high school coaches and direction on how they can “develop and grow as athletes as they prepare for the Friday Night Football experience with their respective schools,” Jones continued.

The cheer and dance camp participants watched stunt and tumbling demonstrations by Mpact Cheer and the Blazeʼs senior cheerleaders as well as learned routines themselves.

“Camp gives girls a chance to experience the excitement of the Brentwood Blaze, and gives new cheerleaders a chance to interact with girls who have been in our program for a while, which is exciting for everyone," Brentwood Blaze Cheer-Director Sarah Bulla commented.

The Brentwood Blaze is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 to provide educational and recreational football and cheerleading for youth in the Brentwood area. They are a member of the Tennessee Youth Football Alliance, the governing body for youth football in Middle Tennessee.

“The Blaze organization is committed to developing young people through football and cheerleading,” says Wayne Thurmon, Blaze president. “Our organization is dedicated to the success of every child in a mentoring, challenging and motivational way.”