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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Are Tryouts required?
No, tryouts are prohibited by Pop Warner. All registered participants will be assessed according to skill level in order to determine squad placement for competition.
Can my child cheer for a school team and for Pop Warner simultaneously?
A participant cannot cheer for the school's fall football team while on pop warner, but can tryout for the school's basketball team which starts in winter.
How much does it cost to participate?
The sport fee to cheer is $250. Cheerleaders will also have hotel, travel and food costs at competitions that are not held locally. Cheerleaders on teams qualifying for nationals will incur additional travel costs. Fundraising will be provided to help offset the cost of travel and each participant has an amount to be determined they are responsible for raising.
What does the sport fee cover?
The registration fee covers socks and hair bows (you keep) in addition to uniform rental, warm up, shoes, competition fees, patches, trophies, insurance, conference dues, scholastic registration, first aid supplies, administrative costs and miscellaneous supplies.
What is the Time Committment?
During the month of August, practices are held 3 days a week. Each practice is 1-2 hours. During the months of September and October, the practice schedule is reduced to 2 days per week, 2 hours each practice. In addition, cheerleaders cheer at the football games, which are held on Saturdays . If a cheer squad qualifies for Regionals, practices will continue throughout the month November with Regional competition held on 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 simultaneously with Pop Warner, but it is difficult to make commitments to other activities during the Pop Warner season.
Can Practices be missed?
Due to the nature of the sport, a practice missed by one cheerleader has a significant impact on the squad, particularly on that cheerleader's stunt team. As a result, practices may only be missed due to illness or, if the head coach is notified in advance by a parent, due to a compelling personal reason.
What if we have family vacation planned during August -can my child miss practice?
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.
Do Cheerleaders have to cheer for 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 the SCAA athletic complex, and the rest will be "away" games. For "away" games, the drive is typically less than one hour. If the football team makes the playoffs, there can be up to 3 additional games through Thanksgiving weekend.
How many competitions are there and do they involve travel?
There are two or three competitions. The first is Pop Warner Locals, to be held in early October and usually is held on a Sunday. The second is Regionals, and will be held in Charlotte, NC. Regional Championships are held on Friday, the day afterThanksgiving and will not require travel cost. The local competition gives the team the experience of performing in a competitive setting, and determines advancement to additional competitions. 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.
Is there a volunteer requirement?
Yes. SCAA Football and Cheer is an ALL-volunteer organization. Each cheerleader must have an adult family member commit to volunteering a minimum of 8 hours per child during the course of the season.
What are the ages of the teams?
MIty Mite Division – Ages 7-9 (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 7/31/08 determines their age group. No experience is necessary.
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 21 to 35 cheerleaders and requires 3 adult volunteers. A small squad consists of 20 or fewer cheerleaders and requires 2 adult volunteers.
Who rosters the team and what is the criteria?
The Cheer Commissiner 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.
Can I request to have my child on a certain team?
You can certainly request a team, but we cannot guarantee that the request will be granted.
When will team placement be announced?
Team placements will be announced August 2nd. We cannot announce teams prior to that time due to anticipated changes of squad placement. After August 15th, team placement will not change unless there is an eligibility issue.
What are the required Documents for SCAA cheerleaders?
For each participant, the following documents must be submitted: 1. An official birth certificate (to be returned once the season concludes and the uniform is returned) 2. A wallet size current photo, head and shoulders, no head gear or glasses; 3. A signed Medical Release Form dated after 1/1/08 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 20th, with any open items cleared prior to the first practice in August
Why is a report card required and what if my child's grades aren't good?
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.
When will a uniform fitting be held?
A mandatory uniform fitting will take place August 2nd at the Parent/Participant meeting.
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