❓ East Chatham Chargers – Frequently Asked Questions
📘 Where can I find general information about the season and ECC?
You can find most details — including registration fees, season dates, practice information, and more — on our About ECC page.
🌦️ Who decides when practices or games are changed or cancelled? How will I be notified?
Before Practices or Games Begin:
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In the event of inclement weather, Chatham Parks and Recreation determines field conditions for practices, and Northwood High School determines field conditions for home games.
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ECC must await official updates before communicating changes to Charger families.
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Please avoid emailing or texting board members or coaches for updates — as soon as we are notified, we’ll share all changes through:
During Practices or Games:
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ECC staff make on-site decisions based on current weather and safety conditions.
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For details, see our Lightning and Thunder Safety Guidelines.
Make-Up Practices:
💵 Why is a security deposit required for tackle football equipment?
Tackle football equipment is expensive, and as a nonprofit organization, we strive to keep registration costs low.
To protect the program and our families, a $225 security deposit is required when checking out tackle equipment. Deposits can be made by:
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Providing a credit card number on the Equipment Rental Agreement
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Writing a check for $225 (made payable to East Chatham Youth Football Association)
Important:
We do not charge, cash, or deposit any funds unless equipment is not returned at the end of the season.
🩺 Why is a sports physical required before receiving equipment?
Our insurance policy requires ECC to follow NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) safety guidelines, as applied by the NCHSAA (North Carolina High School Athletic Association).
Per NCHSAA rules:
“In order to be eligible for practice or participation in interscholastic athletics, a student must receive a medical examination once every 395 days by a licensed medical professional and be cleared to play.”
Because ECC is entirely volunteer-run, we require all athletes to have a valid sports physical that does not expire during the season before they can participate in practice.
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ECC will share local sports physical opportunities at Northwood and Seaforth High Schools when available.
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These events depend on physician and supply availability.
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Families are encouraged to obtain a sports physical in advance through their primary care provider or CVS MinuteClinic.
🏈 What is the East Wake Football League (EWFL)?
The East Wake Football League is a collection of community-based youth football programs from towns surrounding the greater Raleigh area.
EWFL helps keep football grounded in local communities — fostering sportsmanship, teamwork, friendship, and community pride among players, coaches, and families.
📅 When will the season schedule be available?
The game schedule is created and released by the East Wake Football League.
As soon as it’s finalized, ECC will share it with all families.
The first game typically takes place on or near the last weekend in August.
👥 What are roster limits and waitlists?
To ensure safety and a quality experience for all athletes, East Chatham limits team sizes.
Once a team reaches capacity, additional registrants are automatically placed on a waitlist for their age group.
You will not be charged while on the waitlist. If a roster spot opens up, you’ll be notified to complete payment.
🕒 Why does ECC have a waitlist?
The waitlist allows ECC to manage roster sizes safely and efficiently.
Also, sometimes registered players withdraw before the season begins — those openings are offered to players on the waitlist in the order they signed up.
You will not be charged registration fees until your athlete is officially added to a roster.