Our teams participate in Pop Warner Little Scholars Football and Cheer. There are no tryouts. The Cheer Directors assign participants to teams based on several criteria. Team placements will be announced in mid-July. After August 15th, team placement will not change unless there is an eligibility issue.
Ages 7-15 (as of 7/31/24). No prior experience is required to cheer at any level.
- Practices start August 1st.
- Mandatory Practice August 9, 2024, August 10, 2024 & August 11, 2024. Please do not schedule vacations during these dates.
- August practices will be 4 evenings per week (excluding Fridays).
- Once school begins (From September till possibly December) practices will be 2 days per week and Saturday. School year practice schedules will be determined after the July coaches meeting and Board of Education schedule approval.
- The competition team follows the Pop Warner Little Scholars Nationals track. Attending qualifying competitions from mid-October to the beginning of December.
Registration
Registration will open early April. Registration fee and work bond are due upon registration.
Registration fees includes:
- Competition Uniform (returned at the end of the season)
- Practice space fee
- Competition fees
- Insurance
- Misc. fees
Fees
Competition Cheer Registration: $425/athlete
Register by June 1 to avoid a $50 late fee.
Work Bond: $250/family (charged during registration)
Work Bond - refunded after volunteer requirement is fulfilled, uniform is returned and full participation in the Calendar Raffle.
Team Dues: $175 per athlete to take care of additional team expenses. Team dues will include: Competition bow, hairpiece, team bonding event(s), team clean-ups. Team dues will be collected by your coach by mid-August.
Attendance
Due to the nature of the sport, a practice missed by one cheerleader has a significant impact on the squad, particularly on that cheerleader’s stunt team. Please schedule your family vacations during June and July, as August is a critical month where skill sets are being evaluated and team positions determined. Please contact us should you have a prearranged vacation in August.
Competition Timeline (All Competitions are Mandatory)
The traditional season begins August 1st and could possibly run until the beginning of December.
- Garden State Competition, 10/20. The Cure Arena, Trenton
- Local Central Jersey Conference Competition, 10/13. The Cure Arena, Trenton
- Eastern Region Competition (1st and 2nd place per division/level from Locals), 10/27, 11/2, 11/3, The Cure Arena, Trenton
- Nationals Competition (1st and 2nd place per division/level from Regions), 12/9-12/12, Orlando, FL
- YCADA Globals, 2/22-2/23. Atlantic City, NJ
Travel
Pop Warner Travel puts together packages that include room and park passes. The minimum stay required is a 3-night stay in Orlando, FL. Pop Warner provides a letter for your child's school to explain the absence.
Coaching Opportunities
Parent volunteers interested in coaching are encouraged and should register as a volunteer during the player registration process. Coaches have varied experience with the sport and include former cheerleaders and interested parent volunteers. No experience is required—however knowledge of the sport is preferred. All are welcome and will be paired with experienced coaches accordingly. When registering as a volunteer you will need to upload a copy of your Rutgers SAFETY certification card. All coaches will also need to complete the required training through Ycada and pass a background check.
Volunteers under 18 years of age:
A junior coach must be rostered, and must comply with the same registration procedures as a rostered athlete. In addition a junior coach will be required to complete the training through Ycada. A junior coach can earn credit for volunteering. A form may be required for the coordinator/coach to approve their volunteer time. The junior coach would then need to turn in this paper to their sports director.
Equipment and Uniforms
The organization will provide competition cheerleading uniforms.
Competition teams are expected to purchase a team jacket, cheer sneakers and white no show socks.
Cheer sneakers will be sized for all teams by Village Shoes during a practice in August. More information to follow.
QUESTIONS: Email Cheer Director