HPSD and a Football Tourney
Over the past three weeks, the National Football League hosted six local High School Player Development (H.S.P.D) sessions throughout the state of Georgia. Since its inception in 2001, the NFL’s nationwide H.S.P.D. program has provided participants with a curriculum that focuses on inspiring excellence in the classroom, community, and on the playing field. The program is free for students and participation in the program included more than 15,000 high schoolers in 29 states nationwide. The character development portion included guest speakers, including NFL players and coaches, practical life lessons, preparation for standardized tests, and discussions on life after high school. For the first time this year, members of the National Guard, who sponsored the H.S.P.D. program nationally, had the opportunity to participate in the H.S.P.D. sessions, supporting coaches on site and speaking to young people about personal development and community service.
Seminole, Hall, Gwinnett, Dekalb, Fulton and Cobb were the six counties who participated in the program. Each location participated in character development sessions as well as a 7 on 7 passing league tournament. These local programs focused on character development and specific skill training, designed to equip participating student athletes with valuable tools on and off the field.
Each high school team who participated in the program had an opportunity to move onto the South Regional H.S.P.D. 7 on 7 tournament at Hallford Stadium in Clarkston, GA on June 20. In order to move on to the regional tournament, they needed to win their local tournament in their county. After some highly competitive games, the six high school teams who won their local tournaments were, Calhoun County, Cedar Grove, Grady, Miller Grove, North Cobb and North Gwinnett. These teams competed in the South Regional H.S.P.D. 7 on 7 tournament on June 20 with an opportunity to move onto to compete in the national tournament in Minneapolis, MN, July 9 – 12.
North Cobb High School won the South Regional tournament and will represent the Atlanta Falcons at the national tournament in Minneapolis.
