South Miami’s Grey Ghost football activities are once again insured against injury risks.
A $2,500 contribution from Orange Bowl Youth Sports, LLC, an outreach program of the Orange Bowl Foundation, was accepted by a recent City Commission action to help subsidize coverages for players and cheerleaders alike.
“It’s my understanding that every year the city applies for this particular grant, and out of the grant, insurance covers the players’ equipment and any accidents that may occur,” explained Quentin Pough, Director of Parks and Recreation. He noted costs change year-to-year depending on funds left-over from the previous program.
Pough emphasized that the players engage in traditional tackle football, making health insurance vital and clarified that all participants in the Grey Ghost program are insured, including cheerleaders.
While cheerleading has less notoriety as a dangerous activity, the risk of injury is real, as outlined by the Nationwide Children’s Hospital website stating repetitive gymnastic cheerleading routines can lead to stress fractures in the spine and traumatized growth plates in the wrist, elbow, knee, or ankle
Grey Ghost football teams serving children as young as five to 14 years old practice at Palmer Park at S.W. 67Ave. and 61 St., and compete at parks from Homestead to Broward with other South Florida teams as part of the Miami Xtreme Youth Football League. For more information, visit southmiamigreyghosts.org.
