Cheerleading was officially recognized in the 1970's, but has been a part of the Pop Warner program for several decades. The first ever National Cheerleading competition was held in DeKalb County, GA.

Today, nearly 200,000 children are participating in Pop Warner cheerleading and dance around the world.

Participation in the Pop Warner Spirit Program provides kids an opportunity to perform in an organized, supervised, safety-oriented environment.

Pop Warner programs emphasize fun for all and encourage the development of qualities important long after Pop Warner days are gone.

The participants in the Pop Warner program are unique as opposed to those of other programs.

While they are taught about the values of competition, they are also maintaining their grades at a satisfactory level in order to attain the ultimate prize of being named a Pop Warner National Champion.

The Spirit Program is growing in numbers each year due to the popularity of the sport. In an effort to keep pace with the many new changes in the cheer & dance industry, there are a few basic rules that are unique to Pop Warner Spirit Squads.

Learn More About Pop Warner Cheer & Dance

POP WARNER LITTLE SCHOLARS – CHEER AND DANCE MUSIC POLICY

Ownership and creative rights of music are intellectual property covered by Copyright law. Pop Warner respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects all participants to adhere to the following rules regarding use of third party music for cheer and dance performance:

- All music used for cheer and dance performance must be purchased from a source that grants a “Proof of Purchase, or a Proof of License”. Two examples are https://www.cheersounds.com/ and https://www.cheermusicclub.com/

- iTunes and most download / retail sources don’t grant Proof of Purchase, or a Proof of License.

- A Proof of Purchase, or a Proof of License will enable you to charge admission fees.

- Your Proof of Purchase, or a Proof of License does not usually provide broadcast, reproduction or time shifting license. Major venues and broadcast partners maintain licenses as a back up to cover themselves. The extent of venue and broadcast licenses among the various facilities used by Pop Warner participants is not known, and at this time, you should not assume that you are covered by such a license.

- In order to avoid unauthorized use of copyrighted music:

1) All music selected for cheer and dance must have the appropriate license for public performance, as described above,

2) Coaches must provide a copy of the Proof of Purchase, or a Proof of License to participate at regional championship and at Super Bowl

3) Any recording or broadcast of the cheer / dance event must be done with the music in background / off mic and with a voiceover describing the participants and the performance.

FAQ’s:
1)   How about using music during practices?
        a. It’s OK to use music during practice since it is not a public  performance, and is not broadcast or recorded.
2)   What about recording competition and streaming and/or selling DVD’s of the competition?
          a.   Music must be in background / off mic, and with voice over   describing the participants and performance.
          b.  May also record / stream / sell without sound.
3) What about recording short-term for Judges’ review?
          a.   It’s OK to record with sound for Judge’s review, then discard /erase.
          b. You may also record without sound for Judge’s review, and  save.
4)  What if the League/Association does not charge admission to the event (PW Spirit Championships or PW Football Games) does the cheer/dance team still need a Proof of Purchase, or a Proof of License for their music?
        a.  The team needs a Proof of Purchase, or a Proof of License whether the PWLS Event charges for admission or not since it is a public performance.

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http://www.cheersounds.com/express-music-store/shufflemix