Donatella Clignon has a university degree and is an educator, but when it comes to football, she has a hard time telling a first down from a field goal.
But she's about to get educated, thanks to Football 101 for Moms.
"When my son started playing hockey, it took me three years to figure out what offside was," Clignon said in a Hyack Football press release.
"Now he's playing football, I want to know the rules so I can understand what's going on during the game and talk to him about it intelligently afterwards."
Football 101 for Moms is a free, one-hour session for parent/guardians, who want to learn the basics of the sport.
Held annually by the Hyacks Football Club, it answers burning questions like "What the heck is a down?" and "What does it mean when the stripey man throws the orange handkerchief?"
This year's class will be held Thursday, Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the New Westminster Secondary School football office.
The class is being presented by the Royal City Football Youth Club and is open to all members of the Hyacks football family.
This summer, the youth club has over 220 boys and girls involved from ages five to 13, along with dozens of coaches and volunteers.
Ryan Leslie, vice-president of the community arm of the club, said New Westminster's is one of the few football clubs in B.C. that is continuing to grow.
And with just 11 days before the start of the high school fall training camp, players, parents and coaches are pumped about the coming season."
"We have a great season lined up. ... and a couple of awesome events that involve the whole community," said Leslie.
The annual Hyacks Homecoming Game kicks off the 2013 season on Sept. 13.
This community event at Mercer Stadium will feature skydivers, fireworks, a pre-game flag football challenge for alumni and the Hyacks varsity team playing rival Centennial Centaurs.
The Hyacks' off-field highlight of the season comes the following month with the annual Tailgate Auction. Sponsored by River Market at Westminster Quay, this year's event will be held at La Perla Ballroom on Oct. 26.
