The Sandhills Optimist Club is offering recreational football leagues for youths ages 6-12 beginning in August.

Tackle football teams will be fielded in the 8-10 and 10-12 age groups, with 10-year-olds weighing more than 110 pounds playing in the 10-12-year-old league.

The Optimist tackle program’s mission is to “enable children to benefit from playing football in a safe and structured environment, and to teach fundamental values, skills and knowledge that children will use throughout their lives. Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play, and safety is the top priority.”

Practices are held during the week with games played on Saturdays. Participants in the 8-10-year-old league must be 8 years old as of July 31, 2010, and cannot have turned 11 before August 1, 2010. Participants in the 10-12-year-old league must be 10 years old as of July 31, 2010, and cannot have turned 13 before August 1, 2010.

There are no weight restrictions, although participants who weigh more than a predetermined level will be restricted to the line of scrimmage. The tackle registration fee of $100 includes use of game jersey and pants, practice jersey and equipment, game socks and secondary insurance. No child will be excluded due to financial hardship.

The 6-8-year-olds will play flag football under the Optimist flag program, which has seven guiding principles — make it fun, limit standing around, everyone plays, teach every position to every participant, emphasize the fundamentals, incorporate a progression of skill development and yell encouragement while whispering constructive criticism.

Teams will consist of a maximum of 10 players with five on the field at a time. Games will be 40 minutes running time and will be played Mondays through Fridays with some Saturdays involved. Participants must be 6 years old as of July 31, 2010 and cannot have turned 9 years old prior to Aug. 1, 2010.

The flag registration fee is $65.

For additional information or questions, call (910) 724-3595.