About the Jr. Wolverines

Organization Overview

The Jr. Wolverines (officially Ann Arbor Junior Football & Cheer, also called Washtenaw Blue) are a nonprofit youth sports organization based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We offer tackle football for boys and girls ages 8-14, and cheerleading for girls ages 6-14. Our program is open to all skill levels; no prior experience is required.

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We compete in the Kensington Valley Youth Football Conference (KVYFC). Our home field is Skyline High School and practice site is Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor.

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Our Mission

Our mission is straightforward: develop great athletes and great people. Through football and cheer, we teach fitness, leadership, teamwork, and respect - while making sure everyone has fun. We believe sport is one of the most powerful development environments a young person can experience.

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Our History

Ann Arbor has a rich junior football tradition. Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh - both of whom went on to NFL coaching careers - played youth football in Ann Arbor as kids, for what was then called the Junior Packers. Today that tradition lives on in the Jr. Wolverines.

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The program has served hundreds of Ann Arbor-area families over the years, building lasting friendships and - for many players - laying the foundation for high school and college athletic careers.

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Volunteer Organization

The Jr. Wolverines are 100% volunteer-run. Our coaches, board members, and game-day staff are all parents and community members who give their time because they believe in what this program does. Each family is asked to volunteer at least four times during the season. Opportunities include coaching, board service, game-day operations, and team activities.

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Safety Commitment

Player safety is built into every aspect of our program. We equip our football players with Schutt Youth Vengeance helmets, which hold a 5-star rating from Virginia Tech’s independent Helmet Lab — the highest rating available for youth football helmets. Our coaches are trained in modern tackling technique and concussion recognition protocols.