2013 Season Overview

I just wanted to pass along an overview as to what to expect for the upcoming 2013 season.  Please forward this information along to anyone you know who might be interested in signing their child up for the upcoming season.  Also, please don’t hesitate to email us at medfordpopwarnercolts@yahoo.com if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Registration Fees:

$125 for returning participant

$150 for new participants

You receive $100 in raffle tickets to help reimburse yourself the first $100 of registration.

In-Season Fundraising:

3 mandatory fundraisers per player/cheerleader

            August 10^th and October 19^th – canning for cheer

            August 24^th and October 5^th – canning for football

            September – saleable item (raffle ticket or calendar)

Fundraising Buy-Out

Option for the 3 in-season fundraisers only

You pay in advance to option out of participating

            $50 per canning for August and/or October, $100 for raffle/calendar in September

Post-Season Fundraising:

Additional fundraising will be required if any team(s) advances into post-season football/cheer

Practices:

Begin: August 1^st at Carr Park

Time: approximately 5:30-7:30 (subject to change – depends on coach)

10 hours of practice per week until Labor Day

6 hours of practice per week post Labor Day until season’s end

**Practice days are determined by the coach.  E and F squads may have less practice times. Cheerleading practice moves into MHS in September**

MPW Provides Uniforms:

Football – Helmet, shoulder pads, game jersey/pants and practice jersey

Cheer – skirt and shell

Parent/Guardian Uniform Responsibilities:

Football – cleats, socks, practice pants, girdle, and 7 pieces pant pad set

Cheer – sneakers, socks, lollipop pants, hair bow and bodysuit (For E and F teams only)

Game Days

Every Sunday beginning the Sunday after Labor Day until the end of October unless your team makes playoffs

Time for each game to be determined

Home games are played are Hormel Stadium

Away games played at locations to be determined

Cheer Competitions:

Teams A through D participate in cheerleading competitions

Teams advance from one level to the next if successful in placement

            Leagues: Saturday in early October

            Conference: Saturday, October 28^th

            New England Finals: mid-November (dates TBD)

            Nationals: Disney World, Orlando, Florida – early December (dates TBD)

            Mitey Mites (E Team) exhibit at league competition in early October

Tiny Mites (F Team) may be invited to exhibit for Conference competition October 26^th

POP WARNER VS. AYF

Are you curious to know what the difference is between the 2 youth organizations within our city?  Please see below for a breakdown of the differences between the Pop Warner Program and the AYF Program. As always, please feel free to contact us if you have additional questions/concerns. Please see below for a list of the differences:

1. Mandatory Plays:

1. 16-25 players: PW = 10 plays, AYF = 8 plays

2. 26-30 players: PW = 8 plays, AYF = 6 plays

3. 31-35 (36AYF) players: PW = 6 plays, AYF = 4 plays

2. Concussion Rule:

1. PW requires any child that received a concussion during a game or practice to have a qualified doctor’s note prior to returning to ANY PW activity (practice or game).

2. AYF allows participants with a suspected or diagnosed concussion to participate in full contact practice and return to play WITHOUT written medical clearance after sitting out for one game even if the concussion symptoms may not have fully subsided.

3. Scholastics:

1. PW has a MANDATORY scholastic aptitude requirement. In 2012, 9200 participants were recognized nationwide for excellence in academics. Scholars must have at least a 96% GPA. You also receive a certificate of achievement from PW and an invitation to be recognized at the Annual Banquet. In 2012, PW gave out $95,000 in scholarships to Senior Scholars.

2. In 2012, AYF recognized 194 scholar athletes. AYF requires a 100% GPA in order to receive a certificate. AYF does not have a banquet to recognize the scholastic achievement of its participants.

4. Superbowl:

1. With PW, all teams have to earn their spots to nationals by winning on the field. All football games are aired live on ESPN3 and a televised ESPN special by NFL films. In 2012, PW featured 64 teams from 30 leagues in 17 states. There are no byes in PW, each team is guaranteed 2 games with Championship teams playing 3 games.

2. AYF does travel nationally, however the Eastern Conference chooses not to do so. If there is an opening for nationals a “wild card” team can be chosen to compete, whether or not they earned their spot. Of the 17 divisions, 8 had at least 1 bye.

5. Cheerleading:

1. PW featured 426 squads from 76 different leagues in 23 states at the 2012 Nationals in Florida. 5 full days of competitive cheerleading with 4 skill levels of competition. All cheer teams had to earn their spot in nationals by competing in 4 prior competitions. Live webcast aired everyday for family at home to watch. MPW holds 3 National Titles and we have also placed in the Top 5 many times.

2. AYF does travel nationally, however the Eastern Conference chooses not to do so. AYF competes in 2 local competitions and they receive a bid. However, only 176 AYF cheer teams competed at nationals and New Jersey AYF won 15 of the 21 divisions they competed in.

Please see below for the age/weight requirements for the 2013 season.  These are also listed on the National Website www.popwarner.com

AGE AND WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS 

Tiny-Mite: 5-7 years old; 35-75 lbs

Mitey-Mite: 7-9 years old; 45-90 lbs

Junior Pee Wee: 8-10 years old (11 years old older/lighter); 
	60-105 lbs (60-85 lbs o/l)

Pee Wee: 9-11 years old (12 years old older/lighter); 75-120 lbs 
	(75-100 lbs o/l)

Junior Midget: 10-12 years old (13 years old older/lighter); 
	90-145 lbs (90-120 lbs o/l)

Midget: 12-14 years old (15 years older older/lighter); 105-170 lbs 
	(105-140 lbs o/l)

Unlimited Patriot League: 11-14 years old (no older/lighter); 105+ lbs


The older/lighter division allows the "older but lighter" player to 
also qualify for pop warner.  The last year of eligibility falls under 
more stringent weight restrictions, per above.

Medford Cheerleaders being Recognized for their Scholastic Achievement!

CONGRATULATIONS TO SIMONE GATEAS AND KATHERINE (KATIE) PARRELLA FOR BEING RECOGNIZED ON THE NEW ENGLAND SCHOLASTICS TEAM!

The scholastic achievement recognition program recognizes those participants who achieved a 96% grade point average or better during the school year.  We are happy to announce that Simone (Grade 5) and Katie (Grade 6) both placed in the 2nd team which is the 2nd highest scores within the New England Region.  Both girls have been invited to attend the 53rd Annual National Pop Warner Scholastics Banquet in Boston in May. 

Please help us in congratulating Simone and Katie on a job well done during the 2011-2012 school year!!  Congratulations girls, the MPW Family is very proud of both of you!!