ROXBURY, NJ – More than 70 young athletes decided Saturday to play football for Roxbury.

The turnout at the 2-hour-long Roxbury Jr. Gaels Football Program’s second annual Signing Day delighted the coaches and organizers of the event, which took place at the Roxbury Recreation Department on a chilly and rainy day.

Players signed up for the 2023 season and had photos taken in front of a crowd, a scenario that replicated sign-ups for a professional or college team, said Roxbury Jr. Gaels Football Director of Operations RJ Casendino.

Early registrants got a special edition rally towel sponsored by Bertos Plumbing & Heating and a free ice cream treat sponsored by Cliffs Homemade Ice Cream. The players got to try on helmets and game jerseys, there was Jr. Gaels football gear for sale and D’Amico Entertainment kept the crowd involved by providing DJ services.

Jr. Gaels coaches were in attendance as well as Roxbury High School Football Head Coach Ryan Roumes.

“We believe the spirit of a town is built around its football program, and it starts with us at the junior level,” Casendino commented. “Our enrollment and participation has been growing rapidly over the last couple of years, and this year we are looking to have our highest enrollment in a very long time”

He said the program is “very fortunate right now” to have such dedicated coaches and parents. “There is more participation from parents now than there has been for a very long time, and the program is benefiting immensely from that,” Casendino said. “The program is built around the kids, and to see how happy they were today to sign-up and take pictures really shows the excitement around the program.”

He also said he really appreciates the way Roumes is helping, commenting, “He has been with me and the Jr. Gaels Program … every step of the way and attends all of our off-season coaches meetings and events.”

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