Former Patriots to Lead Youth Camp in Springfield on Friday

SPRINGFIELD — The New England Patriots Alumni Club and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will host the annual ‘Football for YOU’ youth football clinic this Friday, June 24, from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Irv Schmid Sport Complex at Springfield College, 265 Alden St.

The clinic is offered free of charge to children between the ages of 9 and 14. New England Patriots alumni will serve as instructors during the skills sessions, along with local high-school coaches.

“This event has given the Patriots alumni and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation an opportunity to reach out and show kids who might not really understand the values of team sports and how it helps in the development of life skills,” said Pete Brock, former Patriots center and president of the Patriots Alumni Club. “During the last eight years of having this program, kids have learned teamwork, camaraderie, and discipline while just having fun. For all of the alumni players involved, it has been fun for us as we get to share our experiences with the kids.”

The Football for YOU program, now in its ninth year, was created by Patriots alumni in partnership with the city of Boston, the Patriots Charitable Foundation, and the NFL Foundation to bring the fundamentals of football to children in the Boston area. Football for YOU will expand from 16 sites across Massachusetts in 2014 to 21 this year. Visit www.patriotsalumni.com to view all the sites and for online registration.