General FAQs

What are the registration deadlines for Football and Cheer?
Guilderland Pop Warner (GPW) registration starts on April 1, 2024 and ends on July 27, 2024 (at 11:59pm).  Visit our Registration Information page and follow the steps to register your child.  

How much does it cost to register for Football and Cheer*?
Registration fees for each program are as follows:
• Flag Football (co-ed, 7 and under): $160
• Girls Flag Football (10u, 12u, 14u, 16u): $175
• Tackle Football: $275
• Jr. Tiny Mite Cheer: $125
• Tiny Mite Cheer (formerly Cub): $175
• Mitey Mite Cheer and above: $200

*EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT of $25 if you complete your registration by July 1, 2024.  

How are Pop Warner divisions structured?
Divisions are organized by age. Check the “Other Forms & Information” section under General Registration Information for the football and cheer age based matrix. 

What volunteer commitments are expected from GPW families?
As a volunteer-run organization, GPW relies on family support for a successful season. Families will be asked to volunteer in various areas, including:  
• 50/50 at home games (coaches will create a schedule)
• Concession Stand at home games (coaches will create a schedule)
• Family Fun Night
• Team Volunteers for the Capital District Pop Warner Cheer Competition
• Team Basket for raffle at the End of Season Banquet
• Fundraising support
• Coaching or being a Team Parent

Football FAQs

When does the football season start and finish?
The season starts in first week of September. Flag football runs through mid-October. Tackle football generally runs through late October with playoffs (if qualified) lasting until the week before Thanksgiving.

When do football practices begin, and what is the schedule?
For the 2024 season, practices start on August 1st at 6:00 PM.  Flag football practices occur 2-3 nights per week in August and early September, while tackle football practices take place Monday-Thursday during the same period. Once school starts, practices are reduced to two nights per week, starting at 6 pm. Practices and home games are generally held at Nott Road Park, located at 6073 Nott Road, Guilderland, NY.

How do I know if practices are canceled?
You'll receive an email from the coaches or the league if practice is canceled. No email means practice is on!

When will you know the football practice and game schedule?
Games are scheduled to begin Labor Day Weekend. Capital District Pop Warner creates a schedule that is released to organizations the week before games begin. As soon as we receive the schedule, we will share it with families.

What days and times are games played?
Tackle Football: Games are played on Saturday and Sunday. Game schedule is typically released by the league a week before games begin. 
Flag Football: Games are generally played on Saturday mornings at 9:00, 10:15 or 11:30 AM.

Do coaches have to complete any training?
The GPW Board will approve head coaches for each team. All coaches are required to attend Risk Management Training and 1-2 coaches or volunteers per team will be required to complete CPR/First Aid Training. 

I’d like to coach my child's team.  What do I need to do?
During the sign up process you should identify that you're interested in being a coach.  You will then be asked to register as a volunteer and indicate what qualifications you have. All submissions will be reviewed by the Football or Cheer Coordinator, League President and Board of Directors to determine who will manage a team.

Does my child have to try out for a team?
No. GPW gives all players an opportunity to play, regardless of skill or experience. No prior experience is required.

Can my child play in an older division?
GPW recommends that athletes play in their age group (lowest level of eligibility). However, if you'd like your child to "play up" in an older division, please submit a formal request to the GPW Board for review and consideration.

Include your child's name, age, and reasons for requesting an older division in the submission. The Board will discuss the request and may assess your child's skill level to help with their decision. Email your submission to [email protected] or GPW Football Coordinator Bill Rivers at [email protected].

Can my child play in a younger division?
No, each player must play within their appropriate age divisions. A player may play for an older division but not a younger one.

What equipment is needed and provided? What equipment do we need to purchase?
Tackle Football: A helmet, jersey and pads will be provided for use during the season. Players are encouraged to purchase rubber cleats for field play. Players are also required to wear a mouth guard and are strongly encouraged to wear a cup (you must purchase these items). 
Flag Football: A jersey and flags will be provided for use during the season. Players are encouraged to purchase rubber cleats for field play. Players are also required to wear a mouth guard and are strongly encouraged to wear a cup (you must purchase these items).

For any additional questions, please contact the GPW Football Coordinate Sean Ralston ([email protected]) or [email protected].

Cheer FAQs

When does the season start?
The cheer season typically begins the first week of August.

When is cheer registration for the fall season?
Registration for the fall season typically opens in April and closes at the end of July.  A candidate cannot begin practice with a team until he/she has officially registered. Registration consists of completing and submitting all required forms, which can be found on our website, and registration fees have been paid.

When and where are cheer practices held?
For the 2024 season, practices start on August 1st at 6:00 PM. Exact start dates will be communicated by the league. All cheer teams practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings during the month of August and the first week of September. Our Jr. Tiny Mite and Tiny Mite (formerly known as Cubs) cheerleaders practice 6:00-7:00 pm and our older teams (Mitey Mite - JV) practice until 7:30 pm. 

Until school starts, practices will generally take place on the fields at Nott Road Park located at 6073 Nott Road, Guilderland, NY. 

Once school and games begin, our cheer teams move indoors to one of the elementary schools and practice twice a week. A practice schedule will be shared with families once we receive gym availability from the school district.  Indoor practices are closed practices which means, parents are not allowed in the gym during practice. 

How will I know if practices are cancelled?
If practice is cancelled, you will receive an email from the coaches, cheer coordinator or the league.  If you do not receive an email, practice is on!  

Do I have to stay for practices?
Parents are encouraged to drop off and pick up for practices.  If parents choose to stay, they are asked to remain in the pavilion, if available.  Since there are quite a few teams practicing at the same time, we try to keep the number of distractions for our athletes to a minimum.  The safety of our athletes is our main priority!

What does my child wear for practices?
All cheer athletes should wear athletic apparel and sneakers for all practices.  NO jewelry or long finger nails permitted due to safety concerns.  Medical alert jewelry will be the only exception.  Please let your child’s coach know if this pertains to your child.

When are games?
Games are scheduled to begin Labor Day Weekend. Capital District Pop Warner creates a schedule that is released to organizations the week before games begin. As soon as we receive the schedule, we will share it with families. Unless the football team has a BYE week, each cheer team will have one game per weekend (Saturday or Sunday and times can vary week to week). 
 
How are cheer teams formed?
Associations & Leagues will make their best effort to assign teams in appropriate age divisions for Cheer and Dance Divisions.  Criteria that will be used by Associations with determinations are an athlete’s skill level (as determined by the YCADA Skill Progression Sheet) and Coaching Staff available.  We do our best to keep cheer athletes on teams with their peers and classmates (same grade level) if possible, as well as with athletes with similar skill sets.

Do coaches have to complete any training?
All rostered cheer staff must successfully complete the YCADA (Youth Cheer and Dance Alliance) online Coaches’ Education and Testing including but not limited to the Head Coach, Assistant Coaches, Coach Trainee, Student Demonstrator, Coordinators, etc.  Coaches are also required to attend Risk Management Training and 1-2 coaches or volunteers per team will be required to complete CPR/First Aid Training.

Is there a Code of Conduct?
Each family will be required to sign the Parental/Guardian Permission and Waiver for the upcoming season.  All athletes are expected to act respectfully towards each other and their coaches.  Family members are expected to exhibit the same behavior, both in person and in all team chats and email communications.  Disrespect, in any form from an athlete or adult, will not be tolerated and is grounds for dismissal.  

Are cheer uniforms provided?
The league will provide each girl with their skirt, shell (top), poms and a competition/game bow.  With the exception of the competition/game bow, these items need to be returned to GPW, in the same condition they were given to you, at the end of the season.  Failure to do so will result in a replacement fee.

What do I need to purchase for the cheer season?
Each cheerleader will need to purchase black boy cut briefs, black cropped body liner, plain black full-length leggings and white cheer sneakers.  An on-line store will be set up for these items through Varsity for easy one stop shopping. They will also need to purchase a pink bow, to be worn for all games in October, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  These will be available for purchase through GPW.

Do cheer teams participate in competitions?
Guilderland Pop Warner cheer teams are invited to attend the Capital District Pop Warner Cheer Competition in early October (usually held on Columbus Day weekend.). Teams that qualify in local competitions have the opportunity to advance to the Regional Competition in NJ and National Competition in Florida.  

For any additional questions, please contact our Cheer Coordinator at [email protected].