ATTENTION: CHEER COACHES NEEDED
If you have an interest in coaching or know of someone who would make a great cheerleading coach please contact us. We have a great turnout of young cheerleaders for 2008 and they need an exciting leader to show them the way!
When does the season start?
The season begins August 1st. The regular season runs through the end of October. The season will continue through the end of November if the team qualifies for Regionals or through mid-December if the team qualifies for Nationals. Back to Top
Are tryouts required?
No, tryouts are prohibited by Pop Warner. All registered participants will be placed on a first-come first-served basis on a team until all teams have reached capacity. Back to Top
How much does it cost to participate?
Cheerleading can be very costly.
The registration fee is a NON-REFUNDABLE $75, plus a $25 parent participation fee (per child), which is refundable upon 10 hours (per child) of volunteer service. Completed volunteer forms must be postmarked on or before December 1, 2007 and sent to the address listed on the form. All forms submitted after December 1, 2007 or not submitted at all will be forfeited to VYAPW. There is also a $150 uniform fee that will be collected in June. This fee includes sneakers. Cheerleaders will also have hotel costs at competitions.
Cheerleaders on teams qualifying for nationals will incur travel costs. Fundraising will be provided to help offset the cost of travel. Back to Top
What does the registration fee cover?
The registration fee covers uniform rental (both game and competition), socks, hair bows, kick pants, facilities rental, equipment (e.g. mats), competition fees, patches, trophies, insurance, conference dues, scholastic registration, first aid supplies, administrative costs and miscellaneous supplies. Back to Top
What is the time commitment?
During the month of August, practices are held 5 days a week. Each practice is 2 hours. During the months of September and October, the practice schedule is reduced to 3 days per week, 2 hours each practice. In addition, cheerleaders cheer at the football games, which are held on Saturdays or Sundays.
If a cheer squad qualifies for Regionals, practices will continue throughout the month November with Regional competition held the Friday the day after Thanksgiving.
If a cheer squad qualifies for nationals, practices will continue for the first week of December, and travel to Orlando, Florida will take place the second week of December.
The specific practice schedule will be determined based on facility available and team placement. Generally, participants have been able to manage participating in school activities held on an after school basis simultaneous with Pop Warner, but it is difficult to make commitments to other activities during the Pop Warner season. Back to Top
Due to the nature of the sport and the limited amount of practice time available, it is difficult for any participant to remain up-to-speed with the rest of the group after missing even one practice session. Along with the negative impact on their own progress, missed practice by one cheerleader has a significant impact on the squad, particularly on that cheerleader's stunt team.
If a child cannot attend practice due to illness, injury, or compelling personal reason, please contact his or her head coach to explain the absence. Contacting anyone OTHER than the head coach is not acceptable.
Back to TopIn accordance with Pop Warner regulations, we are allowed to carry a maximum of 35 players per team. There are no try-outs. Once you're signed up, you're on the team. The first 35 cheerleaders signed up on each team will get a roster spot. Teams are assigned by age.
All participants will be assigned within the available squads on a first come, first served basis. Participants are placed on teams based on their age, date of registration, experience needed to make a team complete (i.e. tumbler and fliers), prior head coach recommendation for advancement and payment of registration fee.
To see what team a child would qualify for based on age, click here
Back to TopWhat if we have a family vacation planned during August? Can my cheerleader miss practices?
Please make an effort to schedule your family vacations during June and July. Though we allow some flexibility for pre-arranged vacations, August is a critical month where skill sets are being evaluated and positions determined. Back to Top
Do cheerleaders have to cheer for the football games?
Yes. There are 9 games for sure...the Jamboree game on Labor Day weekend (Sunday) and 8 regular season games throughout September and October. Typically, half the regular season games are home games at San Lorenzo Valley High School, and the rest will be "away" games. For "away" games, the drive is typically less than one hour. We will travel “caravan style”. If the football team makes the playoffs, there can be up to 3 additional games through Thanksgiving weekend. Back to Top
How many competitions are there, and is there any travel involved?
There are three or four competitions. The first is Jamboree, to be held in mid September. The second is Invitationals, held locally in early October. This Invitational competition gives the team the experience of performing in a competitive setting, but does not determine advancement to additional competitions. The third competition is Conference Championships, held locally on October 30th. First, second and third place teams at Conference qualify for Regionals.
Regional Championships are held locally Thanksgiving weekend. There may be an overnight stay involved depending on the timing of the competition and the exact location which has not yet been announced. First and second place teams at Regionals qualify for Nationals.
National Championships are held in Orlando, Florida the second week of December. National Pop Warner provides some competitive travel packages to offset the cost of this expense, which typically involves a 4- or 5-night stay in Orlando, complete with a park pass and meal tickets. Some school will be missed, and Pop Warner provides letters to the schools to explain the absence. Back to Top
Is there a volunteer requirement?
Yes. VYAPW Football and Cheer is an ALL-volunteer organization. Each cheerleader must have an adult family member commit to volunteering a minimum of 10 hours per child during the course of the season. Back to Top
What are the ages of the teams?
Mascot Division – Ages 5-7 (non-competitive)
Jr. Pee Wee Division – Ages 8-11
Pee Wee Division – Ages 9-12
Jr. Midget Division – Ages 10-13
Midget Division – Ages 11-15
Note: Cheerleader's age as of 7/31 determines their age group. No experience is necessary. Back to Top
What is the size of each team?
There are size limits to the teams based on Pop Warner rules and the number of volunteer coaches. A large squad consists of 20 to 35 cheerleaders and requires 3 adult volunteers. A small squad consists of 19 or fewer cheerleaders and requires 2 adult volunteers. Back to Top
Who rosters the team and what is the criteria?
The Cheer Athletic Director rosters the teams. All participants will be assigned within the available squads on a first come, first served basis. Participants are placed on teams based on their age, date of registration, experience needed to make a team complete (i.e. tumbler and fliers), prior head coach recommendation for advancement and payment of registration fee. Back to Top
Can I request to have my daughter placed on a certain team?
You can certainly request a team, but we cannot guarantee that the request will be granted. Back to Top
When will the team placements be announced?
Team placements will be announced in July 15th. We cannot announce teams prior to that time due to anticipated changes of football teams. After August 15th, team placement will not change unless there is an eligibility issue. Back to Top
What are the required documents needed to join Valley Pop Warner?
For each participant, the following documents must be submitted:
1. A copy of an official birth certificate or passport;
2. A wallet size current photo, head and shoulders, no head gear or glasses;
3. A signed Medical Release Form dated after 1/1/06
4. Report cards covering the full 2006-2007 school year. Be certain you have copies of these report cards prior to the last day of school, as many schools close their administrative offices for the entire summer.
5. A Standard Participant Contract (SPC). These will be provided at a parent meeting.
A cheerleader may not participate unless all of the required documents have been provided. Most of the documents should be provided by July 1st, with any open items cleared prior to the first practice on August 1st. Back to Top
Why is the report card required, and what if my cheerleader's grades are not poor?
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. Pop Warner believes that the standards set give participants a sense of responsibility and an appreciation for academics and athletics that will help them develop later on in life. Proof of satisfactory progress in school is required. A 2.0/70% or the equivalent shall be the minimum grade point average acceptable to participate. We understand that not all student-athletes are able to meet our scholastic requirements. If a child does not meet the requirements of scholastic fitness, he/she may fill out and submit a Scholastic Eligibility Form, which is to be signed by a school administrator stating that the child will benefit from participating in the Pop Warner Program. It is the discretion of the school administrator as to whether or not the student would benefit from participating in Pop Warner. Back to Top
When are the uniform fittings being held?
A mandatory uniform fitting will take place on May 6th. We will provide more information as it becomes available. Back to Top
