Dear Petaluma Panther Families,
2020 Season Update:
Effective today, several organizations within the NBYFC have decided to cancel their 2020 season.
It is our belief that now, more than ever, our children need the Panthers! Our kids need to get back to some sense of normalcy/routine; to move their bodies; to interact with their peers; and to be challenged both mentally and physically.
The Petaluma Panthers have made the decision, based on our current registration and other factors/available information, to move forward with the upcoming football and cheer season. Things will be different. How different you may ask. We just do not have those answers at this point but are working hard to research all available options. The Panthers have been in contact with other Bay Area leagues and are planning to play independently, outside of the NBYFC league for the 2020 season. Keep in mind, we may have to carry smaller teams/squads (depending on interest/participation), our teams may be based on age versus weight, and we do expect players from other communities/organizations to join us.
Since the onset of Covid-19, our Board has held numerous meetings to try to figure out a path forward. The wellbeing of our players/coaches/parents/families is our #1 priority. Our Executive Board has implemented safety and health protocols that will be enforced both during practices and games. Safety guidelines will be reviewed/reevaluated continuously and modified as needed.
Moving Forward:
The Petaluma Panther Executive Board will continue to work with these outside leagues to set a game schedule (home and away), which will include some traveling (TBD - in and around the Bay Area or possibly Sacramento). This will take time to work out and has lots of moving pieces, so please be patient as we explore all available options. We will disseminate information as soon as it becomes available.
Critical in our decision to move forward is player/cheerleader participation. We need to hear from all our families, as soon as possible. Your reply will help us prepare/plan for teams, coaches, equipment, etc. We need to know that either you are committed to playing the 2020 season (if we are able to move forward); or are uncertain/undecided at this point; or are a definite ‘no.’ Please email your response to [email protected] by Wednesday, July 8th.
Refunds, Rollovers & Support:
A full refund is available to any family that does not wish to participate in the upcoming season. If you register/pay and conditions with the pandemic worsen, and we are unable to play, we will issue refunds (full or partial based on where we are in the season). Families also have the option to rollover all registration fees to the 2021 season instead, if desired.
The Petaluma Panthers are a non-profit organization and we have taken a big hit this year. Because of Covid-19, we were unable to hold our summer camp and our Annual Fall Fundraiser will more than likely be canceled as well. Additionally, with the City of Petaluma’s new ban on Fireworks our organization has lost out on a large revenue stream. We have already spent close to $10,000 on reconditioning our equipment for the upcoming season. So, if you are able to, we hope that you will consider donating a portion (or all) of your registration fee. But we also understand that we are not the only non-profit in our community effected. So, contribute what you can; only if you can. Thank you in advance!
If you elect not to play at this point, and have already paid all or part of your registration fee, here is what to do:
Refunds: If you would like to receive a refund, please email: [email protected]. Please write ‘REFUND’ on the subject line and include YOUR CHILD’S NAME and YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER; and include whether you would like to receive a FULL or PARTIAL refund (if the latter, then please specific the amount).
Rollovers: If you would like to rollover your registration fee to next year (the 2021 season), please send your request to: [email protected]. Please write ‘ROLLOVER’ on the subject line and include YOUR CHILD’S NAME and YOUR NAME. Please note you must rollover your entire registration fee.
Deadline to request a Refund or Rollover is Monday, July 27, 2020.
Donations: If you wish to donate your 2020 registration fee to the Petaluma Panthers, no need to do a thing! If we do not receive a Refund or Rollover request from you by the above-mentioned deadline, your 2020 registration fee will automatically be applied back to the organization.
If you would like to donate to Petaluma Panthers by clicking on the link below:
https://www.paypal.me/petalumapanthers
Thank you to all our incredible Petaluma Panther families, friends, and supporters. We hope to see all the families back on the field in the very near future.
Please stay safe, stay healthy, and stay connected.
Gina Giomi
President