Hello Lake Nona Jr Lions Family,

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves and share what an honor and pleasure it is to have the opportunity to serve as co-directors of football for the Lake Nona Jr Lions for the 2019 season!

We both feel as if the Lake Nona Jr Lions players, coaches, parents and volunteers are a family. As part of that family, our goal is to continue to create an atmosphere of pride and teach each player the importance of commitment, effort, attitude, confidence, character, knowledge and teamwork. As always, we want to demonstrate to our young athletes how these elements apply to life, as well as football. 

A message from Robert (BJ) Jackson
I am very excited about this opportunity to work with Coach Dan as co-director of the football program, and together we want to thank Coach Scott Gillum for his mentorship and outstanding contributions over the past several years.

My beautiful wife Abby and our six amazing children have been residents in Lake Nona for the past seven years. My wife and I have worked in nonprofit development, management and marketing for 15 years, with much of that experience working with wounded veterans and youth. I have been blessed to be a part of the Lake Nona Youth Sports Jr Lions football program for six years, with our two daughters Brilynn and Hailey in cheer, and our four boys Conner, Nolan, Parker and Drake in football. We look forward to continuing the tradition of building an amazing youth football program! 

A message from Dan Riordan
I am so pleased to take on the role of Director of Football for Lake Nona Youth Sports. I’ve lived in Lake Nona for five years with my wife Crystal, daughter Peyton, and son Connor. Both of my kids have enjoyed the opportunity to play for the Jr Lions and have benefitted from the experience. Prior to this role I was the 8U head coach and the 6U head coach for the past two years. I’ve also volunteered for three years at the YMCA - Lake Nona. Those years of volunteering have given me great insight into the development of our youth and the importance of giving back to the community. 

Like all volunteer organizations, both BJ and I firmly believe that to be successful we will need YOUR help. We hope we can count on you for support as athletes, parents, family members, and friends so that together we can propel this great organization to the top of not only the Central Florida community, but the entire state of Florida.

God bless you and we look forward to meeting every one of you in the New Year. GO LIONS! 

Dan Riordan and Robert (BJ) Jackson

[email protected]

[email protected]

Lake Nona Junior Lions Football is committed to excellence through youth sports.  We go to great lengths to ensure that our coaches are properly trained and certified so that they are teaching and coaching the safest and most effective blocking and tackling techniques utilized in the game today.  Our coaches are trained to teach to make certain that proper blocking and tackling techniques are taught, implemented and followed as your child progresses through the organization. 

Lake Nona Junior Lions’ coaches are committed to fostering and developing athletic skills on the field, but also critical life skills that will allow your student-athlete to succeed in the locker room, classroom and eventually, the board room.  Those skills include but are not limited to proper treatment of others, being a good teammate, timeliness, responsibility, respect, self-discipline, self-respect, pride, time management and leadership.

It is because of Lake Nona Junior Lions’ commitment to excellence that from the inception of our program we have set an expectation of ACHIEVEMENT. Lake Nona Junior Lions football teams have  claimed AAU National Championships in 2010 and 2012 respectively. 
Additionally, the  Lake Nona Junior Lions organization has been the foundation and proving grounds for several All-State and All-American student-athletes and community leaders who are now competing collegiately:  Tucker Israel, QB, Clemson University,  Andre Hale, RB, Southern Mississippi University and JD Rice, OL, Airforce Academy.  

14U - 2017 FYFCL East Conference Champions
14U - 2017 AAU National Runner up 
 8U - 2017 FYFCL East Conference Champions