Ramona Coffey, president of the Kentucky Youth Football League (Radcliff Hurricanes), told the Radcliff City Council on Nov. 18 that the league has grown over nine years to serve about 144 children and now needs more city support to continue.

"We started our program with a 144 kids," Coffey said, describing a season that produced division championships and expanded cheer and dance opportunities for girls. Coffey said she and her husband personally invested in the league’s start — "we invested $10,000, wrote a check" — and that ongoing costs now include field rental, referee fees and security.

Coffey detailed operating costs and recent increases, saying referee fees rose from $40 per game to $65 and that the league commonly pays referees for three games each Saturday. She said the program also covers police details and equipment such as helmets and uniforms, and that the league runs community programs including "Munchy Mondays," a free weekly meal program for players and their siblings during the summer.

Coffey asked the council for help with field access, operational funding and partnerships to host tournaments and camps in Radcliff. "We put on things with NFL players," she said, noting prior camps that brought national attention and regional participants. She also described work to coordinate with Fort Knox and local schools to give military children options for year-round participation.

Council members thanked Coffey and the group for the work the program does to keep youth active and cited fundraising and volunteerism as important supports. No formal motion or funding decision was made at the Nov. 18 meeting; Coffey said she wanted the council to consider what level of help the city can provide going forward.

The league’s presentation included examples of community benefits — mentorship, access to high-school recruiters and off-season programs — and a request the council consider options such as field use agreements, one-time grants or help with refereeing and security costs.

Looking ahead, Coffey said the organization aims to expand tournaments in Radcliff but needs partners and infrastructure to do so. The council directed staff to keep the group’s request on the radar for future budget or partnership discussions.