The mission of Pop Warner Little Scholars is to enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment. Through this active participation, Pop Warner programs teach fundamental values, skills and knowledge that young people will use throughout their lives.

Pop Warner seeks to provide fun athletic learning opportunities for children, while emphasizing the importance of academic success.  Specifically, Pop Warner seeks to familiarize players and spirit participants with the fundamentals of football, cheerleading and dance. Pop Warner strives to inspire youth, regardless of race, creed or national origin, to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness as reflected in the life of the late Glenn Scobie “Pop” Warner.

Objectives:

• To encourage and increase youth participation in football, cheerleading and dance.
• To ensure a safe and positive playing environment for all participants.
• To instill life-long values of teamwork, dedication and a superior work ethic in the classroom and on the playing field.
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Positive Experiences:

• Pop Warner programs have no tryouts or cutting of rosters.
• Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play.
• On-field coaching is allowed for younger age levels.
• Individual awards are given only for academic excellence, not for on-field activities.

Safe Playing Environment:

• Players are matched by age and weight levels.
• There are strict mandatory equipment requirements.
• Pop Warner provides Coaching Clinics and Risk Management Training.
• An enforced national rule book incorporates time-tested rules.
• A full-time executive staff supports all local associations and assists in sound policy creation.

Program Requirements:

• Must be between 5-15 years of age as of August 1st.
• Meet the Pop Warner Age-Weight Requirements:  Age Based Matrix
• Participant must have a 70%/2.0 grade point average from the previous school year
  Those not meeting the scholastic requirement may submit a Scholastic Eligibility Form, a progress report system used to monitor the participants grades throughout the season.
  
  

Additional Information:

• Pop Warner programs have no tryouts or cutting of rosters.
• A typical registration fee ranges on average from about $150 to $250, however, registration fees are set by each local program.
• Pop Warner has a Mandatory Play Rule (MPR) for all teams - every child plays!
• Leagues have options with how to structure their program. While leagues can continue the current age-weight structure, they may also choose to register players based on age only.
• A typical season consists of a 7 to 9 game regular season schedule.
• Pop Warner participants and volunteers must abide by the Code of Conduct.
• Take a look at some of the many Benefits of Playing Pop Warner.