Benefits of Participation in Pop Warner

Pop Warner Public Service Announcement

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The mission of Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. is to enable children to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment. Through this active participation, Pop Warner programs teach fundamental values, skills and knowledge that children will use throughout their lives.

Below are some of the many reasons Pop Warner is the largest national youth football and cheerleading/dance program for 76 years and counting!

Here are a few of the many reason you should join Pop Warner:

Programs in 43 States & 6 Countries – Pop Warner Little Scholars has active programs in 42 states and 6 different countries. To view a list of these locations, please use our League Finder to locate the program closest to you. If there currently isn't a program in your area, and you would like to form your own league in Pop Warner, please complete and send in our Charter Application.

NO TRYOUTS! – Pop Warner programs have no tryouts or cutting of rosters.

More than just athletes! – Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is the only national youth sports organization in America that requires its participants to perform adequately in the classroom before permitting them to play. We believe that the standards we have set give these children a sense of responsibility and an appreciation for academics and athletics that will help them develop later on in life.

"Little Scholars" – Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is the only national youth sports organization in America that rewards its members for their outstanding performance in the classroom. Each year, the most academically accomplished Pop Warner kids compete for Academic All-American status, and are rewarded on several different levels (I.e. National, Regional, League, etc.).

Stability – Heading into our 77th year, Pop Warner Little Scholars is the oldest national youth football and cheerleading organization in the world. Founded in 1929 by Joe Tomlin in Philadelphia as four-team conference, we now have over 130 leagues and over 380,000 members.

It's Inexpensive – Signing up for Pop Warner Football, Cheerleading or Dance is inexpensive. A typical registration fee for each participant ranges from about $40 to $100 for the season, depending on your local area. Please note, registration fees are set by each local program and what is included varies from program to program.

Pop Warner National Championships – Each year, Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. hosts the Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships. For the past ten year, the event has taken place at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex ™ in Lake Buena Vista, FL during the second week of December. More than 400 cheer and dance squads and 64 football teams compete for the right to be crowned Pop Warner National Champion.

National Scholar Banquet – Pop Warner hosts an awards program each year to celebrate the accomplishments of our participants. Scholarships are awarded and we recognize those that have contributed and served as exemplary ambassadors for Pop Warner. Nationally, we select First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention All-Americans and award scholarships for higher education to the most deserving students in our highest grade levels.

Mandatory Play Requirements – Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play. Each league may set a higher number of Mandatory Plays, but never less than the minimum set by PWLS. All MPR's should be based on eligible players at the time of the game.

Age-Weight Structure – Kids compete with kids of similar age and size. We set and enforce a strict AGE & WEIGHT MATRIX that reduces the risk and reality of injuries.

Volunteers & Coaches – We have over 40,000 volunteers and coaches that are being trained every year to offer the best and safest programs for you and your children.

It all starts here – The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) estimates that between 60% and 70% of all NFL players began their careers playing Pop Warner Football. View a list of all alumni.

Background Checks – For the 3rd consecutive season, Pop Warner programs nationwide are required to annually conduct a background check of Coaches, Board of Directors members and any other persons, volunteers or hired workers, who provide regular service to the league and/or have repetitive access to, or contact with, players and/or spirit participants. The purpose of these background checks is, first and foremost, to protect the children.

Football & Cheerleading Camps – Pop Warner offers several nationwide FOOTBALL CAMPS and CHEERLEADING CAMPS for our members at low costs.

Safety, Safety, Safety! – Kids compete with kids of similar age and size. Pop Warner is the ONLY youth football program (local, regional and national) that sets and enforces a strict AGE & WEIGHT MATRIX that reduces the risk and reality of injuries. Did you know that Pop Warner football is safer than soccer? Pop Warner football has 12% fewer injuries per capita among 5-15 year olds than organized soccer in the same age range!

National Rule Book – Each Pop Warner Region, League and Association receive free National rule books for their organizations.

Administrative Manual – Each Pop Warner Region, League and Association receive free National Administrative Manuals, designed to keep each League and Association current on all administrative matters, as well as to facilitate the daily operational management of those local organizations.

NFL Youth Football Partner – Pop Warner is a proud NFL Youth Football Partner. Pop Warner programs are eligible for Travel grants, organizational grants, and facility grants through this great relationship.

Coaches and Adult Codes – All coaches, football and spirit participants must abide by a Code of Conduct which includes several provisions. If any of these rules are broken, the League shall have the authority to impose a penalty

Free Online Roster Program – Pop Warner offers a free online roster program to all of our members to roster their participants easily and effectively.

We surround ourselves with the best – Pop Warner is proud to have numerous outstanding sponsors, licensees, fundraisers and partners who offer several amazing opportunities to our programs.

FREE HELP and DISCOUNTS – Pop Warner sponsors and partners such as Spalding and Bike Athletic offer free equipment and uniform merchandise as part of a grant program for new organizations as well as those in financial need. Pop Warner partners also offer Pop Warner only discounts and rebates on merchandise such as footballs, cheer and dance apparel, fundraising items.

Competitive and Affordable Insurance – Pop Warner offers low-cost, broad insurance coverage as a benefit to its members. The Plan is specifically written to meet the needs of Pop Warner Little Scholars. The Pop Warner Insurance Committee, in conjunction with its Broker, periodically reviews the cyclical insurance marketplace to obtain the broadest possible coverage at the most competitive price.

Find your local program and sign up today!

If you are interested in having your town become part of the most elite youth football and cheerleading league in central Massachusetts then you should contact Central Mass Pop Warner Football League.

CMPWFL is currently expanding our league. If your town is not affiliated with CMPWFL and you would like more information about joining our elite league, please contact Tony Perry @ perrytp@yahoo.com.

The Pop Warner Mission:

The mission of Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. and the Central Mass Pop Warner Football and Cheering League is to enable children to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment.  Through this active participation, Pop Warner programs teach fundamental values, skills and knowledge that children will use throughout their lives and to make sure players are matched by age weight levels. Pop Warner mandates strict equipment requirements, provides coaching clinics and the national rule book incorporates time tested rules. A full time executive staff supports all local associations and assists in sound policy creation.