How do I know which association to sign my son or daughter up with?
Your son/daughter will typically play/cheer for the Pop Warner team associated with the high school that you are zoned for. However, this is no longer a requirement but merely the norm. Given this relatively new change, we would be eager to discuss with you your options. For more information, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
When and how do I register?
Online registration will be available beginning February 1, 2024 and will stay open until the first week of August. Simply click on the "Registration" tab above to register you child for the upcoming football/cheer season. In addition, LHPW will be holding several "in person" registration events throughout the spring/summer. Please visit this website periodically for more information about these events.
How much does it cost to register?
Football registration fee is $300. Cheer registration fee is $450, which includes a non-refundable $100 football apparel fee/$150 cheer apparel fee. There is a $50 non-refundable deposit required for registration that will be applied to the participant's balance. LHPW offers a $20 sibling discount for the first sibling and a $40 sibling discount for each additional sibling.
What documentation do I need to register my child?
In order to reserve a spot for your child for the 2024 season, you simply need to register online and pay the $50 sign-up fee per child. To fully register with LHPW, you will need the following documentation prior to the start of the season:
- Birth certificate
- 2024 Participant Contract & Parental Consent Form
- 2024 Physical Fitness & Medical History Form
- Two copies of child's 2023/2024 final report card
- Wallet sized photo
-Copy of Parents DL/ID
-Copy of Utility Bill w/ address matching Parent's DL/ID
Does LHPW coordinate the physicals?
No. Parents are responsible for getting their child’s physicals scheduled with the doctor of their choice. Participants must complete a 2024 Physical Fitness & Medical History form which must be signed or stamped by a doctor on or after January 1, 2024.
What is the cutoff date for determining the age of my child?
The league age of your child is determined as of July 31.
How do I know what division my child will play or cheer for?
See the tabs above titled "Football" or "Cheer" for more information about which division your son/daughter would play or cheer for.
What happens if my son is too heavy for his age group?
It is not uncommon each season for a few boys to play one weight class above what is normal for their age. LHPW will assign players to a team taking into account each player's age, weight and skill level.
When does the season start?
Practice begins on August 1st.
Where do we practice?
LHPW Football practices on the Lake Howell High School varsity football practice fields directly behind the Administration Building. LHPW Cheer also practices at this location in the beginning of the season, but will start practicing at Indian Trails Middle School's gymnasium beginning in September. Practices are closed to the Public. We can’t allow anyone near/involved in practice or on the playing field that has not had a background check completed. It’s for everyone’s safety and to protect our organization from any potential liability.
How long and frequent are the practices?
Practice schedules depend on the age group. For all age groups, the first two weeks of practice will be four days a week from 6:00-8:30 pm. The first week of practice is reserved for conditioning only. No contact is permitted during the first week as this time is used to get your child acclimated to the elements and the physical nature of the sport and to allow the coaches to begin their evaluations. Tiny-Mite teams will begin practicing three days a week from 6:00-8:00 pm once schools starts. Mitey-Mite and older teams will begin practicing three days a week from 6:00-8:00 pm after Labor Day.
How many games are there in a season?
The regular season consists of a preseason jamboree and eight regularly scheduled games. Some football teams may also qualify for postseason play or a bowl game at the end of the season. Cheerleading squads will participate in either a Cheerleading Exhibition or Cheerleading competition, depending on the age group, at the conclusion of the regular season. Competition level cheerleading can advance into early December depending on how far the squads make it.
Where are the games played?
Home games are played on Lake Howell High School's varsity football field. Away games are played at various locations around Central Florida.
How far away are the away games?
The Mid Florida Pop Warner conference includes teams from Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, Polk County and Seminole County. You can expect to travel to any city in these counties for away games, with the furthest location being approximately an hour away from Lake Howell High School.
What football equipment is provided by LHPW and what am I responsible for?
LHPW will supply each player a certified helmet, certified shoulder pads, a game jersey, game pants, a practice jersey, a mouthpiece and a chin strap. Each child is required to provide their own cleats, practice pants, socks and a water jug for practices. In addition, many players choose to buy an upgraded mouthpiece and chin strap, at their own expense.
Are the games properly officiated?
Yes. Referees from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) oversee all games. These are the same officials who referee all of the area's high school football games.
Can I be a football or cheer coach or other volunteer?
LHPW is always looking for people who are interested in coaching and/or volunteering. To become a coach, you must submit a Volunteer Form, pass a background check and complete any required training classes. Please contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in coaching and/or volunteering.
What is the minimum age for becoming a coach?
Head coaches must be 21 years of age, assistant coaches must be 18 years of age, and junior coaches must be 16 years of age as of the start of the season.
Are the backgrounds of your coaches checked?
Yes. All volunteers, including both coaches and Board members, must pass a criminal background check each and every year.
What type of assistance can I provide if I’m not a coach?
There are several ways to volunteer if you are not a coach, including team parent, concession stand volunteer, halftime and post game snack provider, "Hawks Nest" (merchandise) volunteer and "Chain Gang" volunteer, just to name a few. In addition, LHPW will be holding fundraisers and recruiting events throughout the year and we welcome as many volunteers as possible to these events.
Does my child’s scholastic performance affect his/her ability to play/cheer?
Absolutely. Pop Warner is first and foremost an academic institution built on advancing young men and women through football and cheer. Pop Warner closely monitors the academic performance of all its participants and if any fall too far behind in their schoolwork, they will be required to provide a bi-weekly progress reports signed by their school administrators in order to play/cheer each week. Each association has a designated Scholastic Director whose responsibility it is to monitor and report on the academic progress of all participants.
More questions?
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
