As part of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs dynamic collaboration with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA), the Greater Joliet Area YMCA invites youth athletes to participate in the Illinois YMCAs Statewide Football Skills Challenge.
Event Details:
Boys and girls divisions are available for Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Participants will compete in passing, punting, kicking, and agility drills during a preliminary round, hosted by local YMCAs. The top scoring athlete from each division will then have their score entered into the statewide contest to be compared to winners at other event sites.
Cost: Free and open to the community.
Please Note: Registration is required.
Host Sites:
Joliet Junior College – Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431
Date: Wednesday, October 15
Time: Participants will compete sometime between 6-7:30 p.m. Upon completing registration, participants will be contacted to confirm their competition time slot.
REGISTER TODAY
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: Participants will compete sometime between 9 a.m.-Noon. Upon completing registration, participants will be contacted to confirm their competition time slot.
REGISTER TODAY
Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450
Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: Participants will compete sometime between 9 a.m.-Noon. Upon completing registration, participants will be contacted to confirm their competition time slot.
REGISTER TODAY
The top three statewide scores from the 5th and 6th grade divisions will advance to compete in the event finals during the IHSA Football State Championship Games in Normal on November 28, 2025.
The top three statewide scores from the 7th and 8th grade divisions will advance to compete in the event finals during the IHSA Football State Championship Games in Normal on November 29, 2025.
To learn more, please contact:
Maria Freeh, C.W. Avery Family YMCA Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217
Zach Jarosz, Joliet Community YMCA Sports Manager
[email protected]
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. 317
Chris Interial, Morris Hospital YMCA Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514
*Under the statewide theme, “The Dream Starts Here,” this collaboration brings together the resources and expertise of YMCAs across Illinois, the IHSA, and the IESA to inspire a new generation of leaders and athletes by promoting participation in youth sports statewide. Additionally, the initiative encourages young people to consider jobs and volunteer opportunities at the Y where they can gain valuable skills and hands-on experience to pursue career pathways in sports-related fields like coaching, officiating, and sports administration.
