West Elmwood Intruders Eyeing National Title Game, New Life Experience
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West Elmwood Intruders Eyeing National Title Game, New Life Experience
Intruders vs. Crimson Tide
To get to Florida, the Intruders are going to need to beat the Everett Massachusetts Crimson Tide on Friday at Foley Field in Worcester, something that hasn't been done yet this season.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I want to mercy rule them, I think we are ready for this" said Ty Dale, the head coach of the unlimited team. Unlimited, meaning no weight limit.
The Everett Massachusetts Crimson Tide have won every game so far this season and have won by mercy rule (28 points) in every single game this season.
A history of the program
The Providence West Elmwood intruders are the longest running football and cheerleading program in providence, having been active in the West Elmwood neighborhood since 1965.
The League is split into five age groups of kids 5-16 years old and services 150 to 200 kids per year with coaching staffs consisting of all volunteers. The number of kids in the West Elmwood program increased greatly when the South Side Saints program folded four years go.
"Our goal is to try and get kids to stay in the city to play football. Our biggest issue, other than funding, is that we are not in the best area of town, not very attractive. We don't have fancy jerseys or fancy equipment," said Ty Dale, who is also the President of the Organization. "But we are as good as anybody" Dale added.
Not just football, Cheerleading as well
The West End Intruders charge a $40 fee for kids to play football or cheerlead in their championship level cheerleading program. That fee is significantly less then many other leagues around the state, some of which charge upwards of $80 to play.
"We still have kids that can't afford it so we fundraise to accommodate that" said Angie Bannerman who is the fundraising coordinator for the program and has three kids in it as well.
"Last year, two of our cheerleading teams qualified for regionals but only one team went. A few girls on the other team couldn't afford it and so the entire team decided not to go," Bannerman added about the cheerleading program that is building toward a national title shot themselves.
The Cheerleading squad has proven they can win over the years, winning state championships and advancing to regionals. This year, the Intruders unlimited football team is licking their chops at the chance for a trip to Florida and a shot at a national title.
Perspective
A trip to Florida for the Intruders would mean more then just a national title shot. As coach Dale said, this would be the first trip out of Rhode Island and or out of New England for most of the kids on the team.
Assuming they can get the funding to make the potential trip.
Ty Dale put it in perspective for everyone when he said, "If we can win on Friday, I would do almost anything to get these kids to Florida. Get these kids to experience something different"
The West Elmwood Intruders play on Friday in Worcester for a trip to Florida, a national championship title shot, and a new life experience.
You can help fund the Intruders by clicking here.