CRANBERRY TWP — Matt Curran wanted to leave a little something behind.

In his final year as president of the Seneca Valley Junior Football & Cheer Association, Curran has watched all five of his children come through and benefit from the program.

“My four sons were football players and my daughter was a cheerleader,” Curran said. “This organization gives kids the opportunity to participate in a team event. It gives them self-confidence.

“I wanted to see that we (SVJFAC) did something that would ensure this organization will make an impact on kids for years to come.”

The organization has announced the formation of its first SVJFAC Alumni Scholarship, available to students entering college in the fall of this year. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded annually, one to a former SVJFAC football player and one to a cheerleader.

The scholarships will be funded through continual fundraising efforts of the SVJFAC.

“There is no requirement for the winners to have played football or be a cheerleader in high school,” SVJFAC vice president Pat Gallagher said. “Their participation will have taken place in our program.”

The youth football and cheerleading organizations average 145 football players and 85 cheerleaders each year. It fields football teams for age groups of 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 and 12-year-olds. The cheerleading squads are broken out by grades: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8.

To be eligible for scholarship consideration, the senior must attend Seneca Valley High School, be accepted by a college or university with plans to attend in the fall, maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 or better and must have participated for at least one full season in SVJFAC.

“We have close to 30 coaches in our organization and each one is certified through USA Football,” Curran said. “We know the sport has received some negative publicity about concussions.

“That’s why we make sure all of our coaches are certified and have the knowledge to handle those situations. We’re all about the safety of our kids.”

The SVJFAC introduces more than 100 kids a year to the game through its free flag football program, open to kids from all areas ages 6-14. The program runs from 9 to 11 a.m. each Saturday from April 29 through May 27 at Linder Field in Cranberry Park.

“It’s about education and fun,” Gallagher said. “We teach the kids proper tackling technique, the 3-point stance and basic terminology of the game.

“The flag football games introduce them to the sport in a non-contact manner. Our coaches volunteer their time and it’s a good way for parents to meet the coaches and get some information about our tackle football program.”

Interested parents may visit svjrfootball.org for details.

“We make the flag football available to everyone because we want to serve the community,” Curran said. “And we have a passion for football.”