MYFCA Football and Cheerleading Facts
How Is The Montgomery Youth Football and Cheerleading Association Structured?
The MYFCA is a 501(3)C Non-Profit organization consisting of a board of directors, commissioners and coaching staffs for both cheerleading and football, along with volunteer chairpersons to support ongoing functions and requirements throughout the year.
What Is Pop Warner Football?
Pop Warner is the only truly national youth football and cheerleading program, with approximately 300,000 children participating in the US. Mexico, Japan, and Russia. Pop Warner is the only national youth sports program to incorporate academics and scholastic recognition into its program. Scholastic objectives require academic fitness of all participants, as well as awarding teams, squads and individuals for exceptional efforts in the classroom Pop Warner is the only football organization to enjoy an NFL relationship.
What Group Would My Child Play In?
Pop Warner Football determines eligibility by a child's age (5-15) by July 31st. and weight. A certification of each child's age with birth certificate and weight by official league weigh in will determine the player's status.
In situations where a player can be eligible in more than one division or squad, decisions are made based on consideration of what’s best for participants and team needs. There are no cuts at any level. Everyone makes the team.
What Are The Costs To Participate?
Registration for tackle football is $349 for each player, $175 for Flag Football and Flag Cheer. All other levels of cheerleading, registration costs are $260 per participant. There are additional costs of field equipment, travel, officiating, competition, insurance and other general costs. We have established a fair registration fee.
What About Safety In Football?
Pop Warner's age-weight schematic protects younger, lighter players who do not have higher injury rates.
*Organized football among 5-15 yr. olds has 12% fewer injuries per capita than org. soccer in the same age range. (1)
*Organized football among 5-15 yr. olds has 50% fewer injuries per capita than bicycle riding in the same age range. (2)
*Organized football among 5-15 yr. olds has 74% fewer injuries per capita than skateboarding in die same age range. (3)
(1) U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (2) Ibid (3) Ibid
How Will The Children Be Coached?
All coaches for both football and cheerleading will be officially certified through an official certification accredited process. Each team has between 3-5 coaches to develop our participants.
Coaches go through pre-season development programs in order to qualify as both a head coach and assistant coach.
When Does Practice Begin And How Often?
Practice begins August 1st and will continue Monday thru Thurdays from 6-8:30pm until school begins. Due to the physical requirements of football, conditioning and teaching will be 4 nights per week during August for tackle football and cheerleading, 3 nights per week for our flag program. Once school begins, practice will be 2 nights per week and Saturday for football and cheerleading.
Who Do We Play?
We are a member of the Mountain Valley Conference. This conference consists of teams from Bridgewater, Del Val, Flemington, Hillsborough, Maplewood/South Orange, Phillipsburg, Somerville, South Plainfield, Washington Rock and Watchung Hills. We will play 8 games in regular season play.
What About Post Season Competition?
The Mountain Valley Conference sends a champion to regional playoffs. Winners of these regional playoffs get the opportunity to go to Disney World to play in the Pop Warner Super Bowl. Cheerleaders have their own competition and can qualify for the Disney World Championships.
What Type Of Equipment Do The Children Get?
The league will provide full protective equipment for each football player along with uniforms. Football players will need to buy their own shoes and protective cup. The league will provide cheerleading uniforms. Cheerleaders will need to purchase their own shoes and personal attire.
What Happens If The Teams Fill To Capacity?
Pop Warner rules limit the number of players per team to a maximum of 35. If teams fill to capacity then players can be reassigned to a different division if applicable or put on a waiting list for August practice.
I Can't Afford The Registration. Can My Child Still Participate?
Yes! The MYFCA will not turn away any families that need assistance. Please contact John Clarke, President at johnclarke1441@gmail.com
Why Do We Have Fund Raisers?
It takes a considerable amount of money to purchase equipment and run the entire program. For this reason we will need to participate in fund raising activities throughout the season. Our aim is to not burden the families with these activities but to provide carefully selected programs that are simple, rewarding to both the league and our participants, and provides a value to those who support our efforts.
Where Will We Play?
Practice will be located behind the tennis courts as you enter the road to The Montgomery Middle School. Games are played both home and away on Sunday at Cougar Stadium behind Montgomery High School on Route 601.
How Can I Volunteer To Help, Coach Or Contribute?
Please, we need volunteers! We are currently looking to fill volunteer positions, coaching positions, and committee positions in all areas. To volunteer, fill out the volunteer form and tell us where you would like to help.
What Are The Goals Of The Organization?
Our goal is to develop young boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment that teaches football and cheerleading skills, and builds a winning positive attitude along with raising the self-esteem of all our participants. At this level it is not only about the “win”. It is our objective to coach and mentor all children to reach their fullest potential, both on and off the field, emphasizing dedication, character development, competitiveness, good sportsmanship and the importance of academics. Ultimately, we will develop better student athletes preparing them for their young adult life and for participation in our high school football and cheerleading program if they desire to continue as a high school athlete.
