Chelsea Pride Football to Offer Free Registration for 2021 Season

The Chelsea Pride youth football organization has some great news for local families: Registration will be free for all players this season.

“With everything that’s gone on with the pandemic, we had a lot of parents reach out to us saying that they wouldn’t be able to afford to have their children play football this season,” said Pride Vice President Shawn O’Regan. “So [President] Lou Cetina and I got together decided to do free registrations this year for the children.”

The leadership team received a generous donation so the organization could cover all registration fees.

Chelsea Pride held its first registration clinic last Saturday and the response was excellent.

“We’ve already signed up 20 new players for the 2021 season,” said O’Regan. “Our football parents are very happy about the free registration.”

The Chelsea Pride did not have a season in 2020 due to the pandemic. The Pride teams will begin practices in August and start their season in September.

The Pride has flag football for players in grades 1-4. Tackle football is offered in grades 3-8.

Chelsea competes in the Northeast Commonwealth Youth Football and Cheer (NCYFC).

Chelsea’s league mates include Charlestown, Beverly, Lynn, Medford, Melrose, Peabody, Salem, Stoneham, Wakefield, and Watertown/Belmont.

Chelsea will play four home games (at Chelsea Memorial Stadium) and four road games for an eight-game regular season schedule. The top finishers in each division will qualify for the playoffs. Pride officials hope to host the first round of the playoffs at the Stadium.

Cetina has been a part of the Chelsea Pride organization since its inception in 2008. O’Regan has been a leader in the organization since 2014. Both men are credited for the success of the youth football organization.

In addition to his superb coaching and administering of the organization, O’Regan, a former member of the Chelsea School Committee, has been noted for the homemade chili that he prepares for sale at the concession stand.

“I make ten pounds of chili and by the time the game days are over, the chili is all gone,” said O’Regan proudly.

The Chelsea Pride organization is in need of new football uniforms. The current Chelsea Pride football jerseys and pants are 6-7 years old and in less than stellar condition.

O’Regan said the next registration session will be held Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the concession stand at the Mary C. Burke Complex.