Davie, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today hosted the Pompano Beach High School and Miami Beach Junior Hi-Tides of the Youth Academic Sports League (YASL) football teams at training camp practice. The teams were given a tour of the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University and heard about the importance of proper fuel and nutrition from Food Group Management Director of Dining Services Meghan Kelly. The athletes also had the opportunity to watch the Dolphins practice and meet with current players on the field. Following practice, the athletes had lunch provided by Publix.
"This is a great opportunity for kids that normally don't get this opportunity to be here. We've been very blessed by the Dolphins organization and we're very appreciative to come out and enjoy practice," Pompano Beach High School Head Football Coach Melvin Jones said. "The kids learned a lot. They learned to definitely put fuel in their bodies. To hear it from the professionals and guys that do it at the highest level, now it's sinking in that taking care of your body is very important."
"When the kids leave, they're going to take this experience with them and hopefully it motivates them to keep doing the things we're trying to get them do, positive things and maybe one day we'll see them wearing these Dolphins colors," Miami Beach Junior Hi-Tides Head Football Coach Corey Butts said.
As part of the Miami Dolphins' commitment to the development of high school and youth football, the team will host 27 high school and youth teams from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties at the team's training camp practices. The team visits, initiated by Dolphins Head Coach Adam Gase, are a targeted effort to recognize, inspire and increase football participation through personal connections centered on the positive character building aspects of playing the game.
The Junior Dolphins program encourages youth players and coaches to teach, learn and play football in a fun and safe environment. The Junior Dolphins program is designed to give kids access to learn the fundamentals of football using the NFL's top resources. To grow the game, the Junior Dolphins program will work to educate coaches, parents and youth on the health and safety of football with a strong emphasis on character development. Junior Dolphins is building the next generation of Dolphins Fans.
