Hello, my name is Ryan Sarna. I am the CEO and founder of a 501c3 non-profit called The Coach Sarna League in Vallejo. We began operations last year as a low-cost sports league that offers scholarships to everyone who needs one, so finances are never an issue when it comes to giving every child a chance to play sports.

 

 

 

 

Currently, our flag football league (which is an NFL Flag League) is for K-8th grade with co-ed divisions, all-girls divisions, and all-boys divisions. Every child who registers receives an NFL Jersey and only pays $65 for the entire 10-week season, meaning there are few remaining finances after registration is complete. With other local flag leagues costing upwards of $300 a season, we truly offer our local families the opportunity to participate in sports.

 

 

 

 

Last season, approximately 80% of our players were below the poverty level, and over a third were playing on scholarship. Due to our affordability and scholarship offer to anyone who needs it, we saw many tremendous athletes playing an organized team sports for the first time in their lives because their families were unable to afford to pay for sports prior to joining The Coach Sarna League.

 

This upcoming spring season, we are seeing hundreds of more children sign up, including a significant amount of girls for our new all-girls middle school division that we intend on taking through 12th grade as soon as next fall.

 

 

 

 

Being that we charge so little to play, we rely on concessions sales and donations to operate. One such donation was a 12-passenger van with the ability to tow that was graciously donated by Darrell Jobe, CEO of Vericool. The van was an answered prayer, as we not only needed at least one vehicle to tow a significant amount of equipment for every game, but we also needed the room to give kids rides to different events when need be.

 

The day before we picked up the van, someone stole the catalytic converter and damaged numerous lines. The cost to fix the van was well-beyond our current means, but we had support from Northgate Church in Benicia to help fund the costs of repair. This past weekend, we were informed by Team Chevrolet that the van was stolen off the lot while waiting for the replacement parts. The van had not yet been insured, and there is no way the league can afford to buy a new one on our own anytime soon.

 

With the spring season beginning on April 2nd at the Vallejo PAL fields, we need all of the support we can get from everyone who is willing to help to be able to afford to get the vehicles we need to properly operate this one-of-a-kind league. We love our families and all of the kids who play. No matter what happens we will maintain our commitment to being a low-cost program that anyone can join regardless of financial ability. However, we need your help to make this happen. We are asking everyone to donate to our cause and spread the word on their social media accounts in order to purchase the vehicles we need to keep us running smoothly.

If there are any questions you may email us at [email redacted] or visit us at thecoachsarnaleague.org