Skip to main content

Future of the Washington County Raiders

18 Comments

T
Tricia Ann
11 years ago

Hey I'm new to the Raider. We just moved back to town. Can someone explain what this is all about? President teen teen? I'm so confused

J
Joel Sward
11 years ago

I have helped coach with the Raiders for 4 years. My sons Phoenix and Griffin have been in the program 4 and 3 years respectively. My wife Lisa Listro has helped the Raiders as a team manager. After each season I have always asked myself if the overall experience has been positive for my sons' development, not just as football players, but as young people, and the answer has always been yes.    There are a lot of good people in the Raiders organization. I was looking forward to another season with the Raiders in 2015. That is why this decision my family has made has been difficult. But, after much thought, we have decided to take the position that our family will not participate in the Washington County Raiders program, in the 2015 season, if the program remains in Rhode Island Pre-Teen.   One thing that makes this decision very difficult is that I personally reached out to members of the Junior Pee-Wee team last year, who could return to Junior Pee-Wee this year, and encouraged them to sign up again for the 2015 season. I am sure some of them, like my family, did sign up and have already paid for the 2015 season. I am very sorry if I encouraged you to sign up and now and I am telling you that my family might be leaving the organization.   I truly wanted to stay with Raiders in the 2015 season. Of the 18 kids that played in the last game for Junior Pee-Wee last season, 14 could have returned to that team. It would have been a great team and it would have been a privilege to coach these great kids. Unfortunately, some things have happened that have forced my family to reevaluate our decision to participate in the 2015 season with the Raiders.   I encourage you to take the same position as my family and sign this online petition. It will make a difference if you sign this petition. By signing this petition and then ultimately leaving the organization if a change is not made, we are letting it be known that we will not tolerate decisions that are negative for

C
Cook Family
11 years ago Featured

This signature is from our 8 and 5 year olds boys who have been playing as Raiders and would like to stay Raiders. The president of the Raiders has stated that this is about the kids and we felt that they should have a voice too. My 8 year olds team last year needed to put our players on the other team just to play the game because they didn't have enough. My son is ready to move to another team if he's asked to play in the same circumstances again this year. It's unfair to the kids who play there hearts out for the team..for the Raiders because at the end of the day that's what it's about right. The kids and the Raiders.

S
Scott Brown
11 years ago

My son, Cole, and I started with the Raiders 4 years ago. I have enjoyed every moment coaching and cheering on the boys over that time as well has my son had playing for a proud Raider organization. Unfortunately, from the time I started till the present seven teams have left the league for greener pastures not to return. Believe that! The league has become a shell of what it once was. To believe that this league will rise out of the ashes it has created is not realistic. We as an organization must now move to where our young players will have the opportunity to play different teams week in and week out and as an organization not have to worry about survival in a league we play in year to year. The writing is on the wall folks, it's time for a change. With great regret, unless there is change, Cole and I will not be playing or coaching this coming season.

V
Vote of No Confidence w/ Raiders President and the Board
11 years ago

Raiders president does not care about this petition or people's feelings. Just his word given to preteen and what he thinks is best for our kids. He has made his decision and its final. Doesn't believe people will actually leave anyway. Wow he has his head in the sand.

J
Jason Kroll
11 years ago

I strongly believe a change is needed now, not next year. We need to do what is right for the Raiders Organization.

A
Anonymous
11 years ago

I think more teams would be more fun.

E
Evan
11 years ago

I have been playing for the raiders for years and I love it. But playing the same 4 teams is going to get a little boring. If I have to I will go to the jaguars, and I have a lot of friends that are going too.

A
Adam
11 years ago

I like playing for the Raiders and with my friends and want to play my last two years for them before high school but dont want to play the same 4 teams. I will go to the Jaguars if the Raiders don't move this season. I hope I don't have to but if I do, I know some of my friends and teammates will come too so I'm ok with that.

N
Nicole R.
11 years ago

We have already registered with the Raiders and will pull out if we stay with RIPT. This league is declining and steadily has been. I want to be in a league where we are not questioning our future every year.

B
Brian Bellucci
11 years ago

It's up to you all now Raider nation! Let's do this! GO RAIDERS!

M
Michael Schafer
11 years ago

I want to stay a raider but playing 4 teams is un acceptable ... Unless the teams come running to us because pre teen is better ..,go raiders and please all parties understand I want to be a raider

M
Michael Schafer
11 years ago

I want to stay a raider but playing 4 teams is un acceptable ... Unless the teams come running to us because pre teen is better ..,go raiders and please all parties understand I want to be a raider

J
Julie Siegmund
11 years ago

I have spoken with other flag parents and some of them want to go to a league with more teams and competition. The kids from last year really liked each other. My son wants to play with the same kids again and if others on his team switch teams as they have said they would then I would switch my son also so that he can play with his friends.

M
Marcus Robinson
11 years ago

Just because there is one other strong team in RI pre teen, does not mean the league itself is strong or competitive...

G
Gina Giramma
11 years ago Featured

I am very concerned about the future of the organization. I do not want to leave the Raiders, but I also don't want my children to have little challenges in the future. I see the future in the more competitive league, and RIPT is a not the way to go. I have looked into Chariho Cowboys, as an option, and it is not my first choice, however, it is a choice I will make if Raiders do not make the progressive step to move up and stay competitive.

L
Laura Bellucci
11 years ago Featured

From someone stuck in the middle between Brian's feelings and Anthony's, I strongly feel it is time for the Raiders to make a change now. We all know how much time Anthony has put in but I've seen first hand how much time Brian has as well and how much the Raiders mean to Brian. I really feel OSPW truly is what's best for the Raiders. Brian nor my boys want to leave the Raiders but they do not want to be a part of Preteen. We too will not be playing Raiders this year if they stay in preteen. Hopefully Anthony realizes he will lose good hardworking invested people over this!

D
Dawn Timpson
11 years ago

We have already registered with the Raiders and do not want to leave, but will leave if the program remains in RIPT.