Southwest Metro League

Orono Youth Football is a member of the SouthWest Metro League (SWML). The SWML was established to unite programs with one governing set of policies for the league. It is run by a board of representatives consisting of one person from of each of the associations.

The Orono Youth Football board has worked hard each season to review the choice of our league affiliation. As we make our review annually and knowing the needs of our own program it was our decision by the OYF board that we should continue with the successful partnership with SWML. SWML is intended to be a Youth developmental league. It gives players the opportunity to learn and play the game of football regardless of skills and ability. It is not a "Win at all costs" league. The SWML’s philosophy is to provide each player an opportunity to play football. It also gives Orono the opportunity to play competitive football against schools of multiple size.  

Here are some of the benefits of our Orono and SWML program.

• The developmental part of our program and player is more controlled by Orono football leadership and takes in to account more of the needs of our football community be a driving factor. 
• 4-5 Grade are nine-man football with set rotations but 6-8 grade will be 11 man football with a constant development toward the varsity program.
• More flexibility to be able to match our varsity program alignments and schemes along with playing competitive teams that prepare our players for high school. 
•  Each League member has a single vote in the group and that input comes from each member's board. Concepts are introduced at league meeting to the league directors and brought back to each individual board for review and voted on the next league meeting.
• By 8th Grade our program should be an easier step for our players to the varsity program as the rules will be the same. The rules will have been the same and the playbook will be a very close if not exactly the same for eighth and ninth.
• Playoffs each season for all grades.