Pop Warner football has been around since the inception of the league in 1929 by founder Joseph J. Tomlin as a four-team conference in Northeast Philadelphia. Since then, participation has steadily increased to today's record numbers. Over 240,000 youths participated in Pop Warner-sanctioned football programs in 2004, and those numbers are continuing to grow.
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! (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, NEISS)
Football Includes
Instructional Level Tiny & Mitey Mite
Helmet, Shoulder Pads, Chin Strap, Game Pants and Game Socks. Tiny Mite and Mitey Mite levels will receive one Jersey. The Jersey and socks are yours to keep at the end of the season. Helmet & Shoulder Pads are to be returned at the end of the season.
Competitive Levels Jr. Pee Wee Level & Up
Helmet, Shoulder Pads, Game Pants and Game Socks. Jr. Pee Wee Levels and up will receive two Jerseys. The Jersey and socks are yours to keep at the end of the season. Helmet & Shoulder Pads are to be returned at the end of the season.
Parents are responsible to purchase, Practice Jersey, Practice Pants, Chin Strap, Mouth Guard, Football Cleats, Football Girdle & Knee Pads.
AGE-WEIGHT DIVISIONS:
There are Six Divisions of play, all determined by an age/weight scale.
| Age/Weight Division | Age(s) | Certification Weight | End of Season Weight |
TINY-MITE
| 5-6-7
| 35-75 lbs.
| 84 lbs. |
MITEY-MITE
| 7-8-9
| 45-100 lbs.
| 109 lbs. |
JR. PEE WEE
(older/lighter) | 8-9-10
11* | 60-115 lbs.
60-95 lbs. | 124 lbs.
104 lbs. |
PEE WEE
(older/lighter) | 9-10-11
12* | 75-130 lbs.
75-110 lbs. | 139 lbs.
119 lbs. |
JR. VARSITY
(older/lighter) | 10-11-12
13* | 90-155 lbs.
90-135 lbs. | 164 lbs.
144 lbs. |
VARSITY
(older/lighter) | 12-13-14
15* | 105-180 lbs.
105-160 lbs. | 189 lbs.
169 lbs. |
*The asterisked provisions in each division allow the so-called "older but lighter" player to also qualify. The last year of eligibility falls under more stringent weight restrictions, per above.
A child's age on July 31 is his/her age for the season.
AGE-BASED DIVISIONS:
Division | Inclusive Birthdays |
5-6 | 8/1/12 - 7/31/14 |
7-8 | 8/1/10 - 7/31/12 |
9-10 | 8/1/08 - 7/31/10 |
11-12 | 8/1/06 - 7/31/08 |
13-14 | 8/1/04 - 7/31/06 |
A child's age on July 31 is his/her age for the season.