What does my player receive with registration fees?

1. Use of football helmet
2. Use of shoulder pads
3. Use of Game pants
4. Use of Practice pants
5. Use of Practice jersey
6. Personalized game jersey to keep
7. End of Season Trophy

What do my registration and team fees cover?

1. Pop Warner Assessments
2. Referee fees
3. Insurance
4. Travel to Nationals
5. Field use & fees assessed by city
6. Stadium, field, scoreboard maintenance/repair fees
7. OEC Administrative costs
8. National Pop Warner Fees

What equipment do I need to buy for my player?

1. Football Cleats (solid rubber-molded)
2. Athletic Supporter with cup
3. Extra Mouthpiece with strap

*Optional equipment must be approved by Pop Warner

Please check with your coach regarding Pop Warner’s list of approved items, such as: solid rubber molded cleats, certified gloves, clear face shields, forearm sleeves, etc. prior to your purchase. Items not approved by Pop Warner will not be permitted for use during practices or games.

The Commitment

When do practices begin?

• Practice officially begins on August 1st
• During August, teams practice 5 days a week to meet their safety and conditioning requirements
• September through October, teams will practice 3 days a week throughout the remaining season
• Practices will last 2.5 hours, NOT including water breaks
• If player misses 1 or more practices, they will not qualify to play that weeks game.
• August practices will be held at Hart Park Football Field.

How long is the season?

• Most teams will play a 10 game season
• Scrimmages begin in mid August
• League games begin late August
• Mighty Mite and up may qualify for playoffs and championships, which would extend the season into early December

Where and when are the games played?

• All home games are played at Hart Park in Orange
• Away games can be played as far South as San Clemente, and as far West as Long Beach, and as far North as Arcadia
• A tentative game schedule is prepared by The Orange Empire Conference and provided to us in mid August with league game times & locations
• OEC has the authority to alter a game schedule at any given time due to unforeseen circumstances. Please be patient and understanding with your coaches and team moms when OEC makes changes to your schedule (sometimes at the last minute) when Pop Warner field emergencies arise!

What is my child’s scholastic obligation?

• The official name of Pop Warner is “Pop Warner Little Scholars”
• Scholastic responsibility is the most important component of our program
• Your child MUST turn in a FINAL report card for the upcoming season
• The required overall grade point average required is 2.0 (C average)
• Scholastic waivers are available for those participants who do not meet the scholastic eligibility standards
• ALL participants (football and cheer) who play under a scholastic waiver must abide by the specific criteria required by National Pop Warner

What is the expected behavior of players, parents, and guests when attending practice, games, or other team events?

• All are expected to be on their best behavior and follow the Pop Warner Code of Conduct for participants and spectators at all practices, games, events, pizza parties, etc.
• No violence, threats of violence, weapons, drugs, alcohol, or any other inappropriate language or behavior will be tolerated at any practices, games, events, pizza parties, etc.
• If unable to abide by the Pop Warner Code of Conduct, the player, parent, or guest will be escorted off of the property with the possibility of expulsion from The Orange Chiefs organization
• Additional legal repercussions may result depending on the infraction

Could I provide an individual or corporate sponsor?

Absolutely! We are a non-profit organization and rely on community sponsors to keep our fees down and our program running successfully each season. Please download a sponsor form from our website, choose your sponsorship level, and attach a check. It’s tax deductible!

What are my parent/guardian participation expectations?

We need parents to assist with various participation activities in order to provide a positive experience for all of our players and make the season run smoothly for everyone. Examples include: chain duty, snack bar duty, game snacks, must-play tracker, field set up & clean up, head coaches & assistant coaches, etc. *buy-out options may be available if you are unable to volunteer your time. ***some volunteer positions require a mandatory background check.

• NO TRYOUTS! – We have no tryouts or cutting of rosters!
• Programs in 42 States & 7 Countries – Pop Warner has active programs in 42 states and 7 different countries.
• More than just athletes! – Pop Warner is the only national youth sports organization in America that requires its participants to perform adequately in the classroom before permitting them to play.
• Little Scholars Program – Pop Warner is the only national youth sports organization in America that rewards its members for their outstanding performance in the classroom.
• Stability – Pop Warner is the oldest national youth football and cheerleading organization in the world. Founded in 1929 by Joe Tomlin, we now have over 120 leagues and over 400,000 members.
• Pop Warner National Championships – Each year, Pop Warner hosts the Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships. For the past 11 years, the event has taken place at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex™ at Disney World. More than 300 cheer and dance squads and 64 football teams compete for the right to be crowned Pop Warner National Champion.
• College Scholarships - Each year, we award scholarships for higher education to the most deserving students in our highest grade levels. Pop Warner is proud to have awarded nearly one million dollars in scholarships in just 17 years!
• Mandatory Play Requirements – Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play, so every child is guaranteed to play.
• 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.
• Background Checks – 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.
• 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!
• Concussion Prevention & Awareness – In addition to its more stringent return to play concussion rules, Pop Warner took the lead in youth sports by creating a Medical Advisory Board. The Board was created to ensure Pop Warner remains proactive on all medical issues that affect youth sports, particularly football and cheerleading, with a primary focus on prevention and proper identification and treatment of concussions, hydration awareness, proper nutrition guidelines, and general health and safety issues.
• Coaching Education Programs –The safety of our athletes is always the top priority and that is why we provide extensive training for all our football and cheer & dance coaches.
• 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.
• Coaches and Adult Codes of Conduct – 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.
• National Grants Program – For several years, Pop Warner and its national partners & sponsors have awarded thousands of dollars in national grants for teams and programs including start-up grants, national championship travel grants, equipment grants and more!
• We surround ourselves with the best – Pop Warner is proud to have numerous outstanding sponsors, licensees, fundraiser's and partners who offer several amazing opportunities to our programs.
• 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.