Southwest Football League ("SFL") is one of the largest independent recreational youth football leagues in Texas, serving the greater Houston area.  SFL fosters an environment of sportsmanship, competition, player development, inclusion and diversity, safety, community and FUN.  The objective is for our youth to learn how to play the game of football while developing critical life skills in teamwork, competition, sportsmanship and friendship.  SFL is a 501(c)(3). 

• Safety - The health and safety of the SFL Football and Cheer community is always at the forefront of our decision-making.  
• Player Development - SFL should be fun and promote competition; however, we also believe that one of the best tools to offer our community is through our Player Development Program ("PDP").  The PDP is woven into all three football programs and is led by former collegiate football players to teach the basics and fundamentals of football in a consistent, age-appropriate and safe manner.  PDP instructors work with team coaches to tailor how best to reinforce the proper teaching of football fundamentals, including football IQ.
• Player Participation - Every SFL participant will have an opportunity to learn and to compete no matter the experience level or background.  We want to encourage and increase youth participation in football and cheer/dance.
• Life Skills - SFL promotes life-long values of teamwork, respect, encouragement, and a strong work ethic. 

The Southwest Football League’s Child Protection Program maintains a zero-tolerance policy on abusive and unsafe behavior toward any minor under the League’s jurisdiction. This includes any minor player, referee, concession stand worker or other underage individual by anyone. This policy includes:

• physical abuse 

• emotional abuse 

• verbal abuse 

• bullying 

• sexual abuse 

• sexual harassment 

Anyone who witnesses any such behavior is required to report it to any member of the Board of Directors immediately.

Senate Bill 534 – the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 – was signed into law on February 14th, 2018. The bill imposes a duty on amateur sports organizations, including the SFL and its members, to report suspected sex-abuse to local or federal law enforcement or to a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department, within 24 hours of learning of the misconduct. Failure to report is subject to criminal penalties.

SFl takes its obligations to protect children from such abuse very seriously. Additional resources are available through the non-profit Safe to Compete website. Among the documents provided are the following three published by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children:

• Safe to Compete: Tips for Protecting Child Athletes from Sexual Abuse 

• Safe to Compete: Protecting Child Athletes from Sexual Abuse; Discussion Guide: Ages 5-10

• Safe to Compete: Protecting Child Athletes from Sexual Abuse; Discussion Guide: Ages 11-17 

Consistent with the League’s zero tolerance policy, SFL requires that each player (parent) to agree to a Player Code of Conduct during the registration process, acknowledging his/her obligation to exercise appropriate behavior at every game and practice and the consequences for failure to do so.

Likewise, the player’s parent or legal guardian is required to agree to a Parent Code of Conduct during the registration process. These agreed to electronic documents or signed documents are maintained by the League.