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Frequently Asked Questions
When are sign-ups and how do we register?
How do I select my proper division for my child?
- League Age is the age of your son on August 1st.
- Flag: Ages 5 & 6 (w/ no weight limits)
- Junior Mighty Mite (first time tackle players): Ages 6, 7 & 8 (45 lbs – 90 lbs)
- Mighty Mite: Ages 7, 8 (45-90 lbs) & Age 9 (45-70 lbs)
- Junior Pee Wee: Ages 8, 9 & 10 (60-105 lbs) & Age 11 (60-85 lbs)
- Pee Wee: 9, 10 & 11 (75-120 lbs) & Age 12 (75-100 lbs)
- Junior Midget: 10, 11 & 12 (85-135 lbs) & Age 13 (85-115 lbs)
- Midget: 11, 12 13 & 14 (105-160 lbs) & Age 15 (105-140 lbs)
How much are the fees for Football (Tackle or Flag) and Cheerleading?
- Tackle Football is $380
- Flag Football is $225
- Cheerleading is $250
What is included in my Tackle Football Registration Fee?
- Included in your fee is the following:
- Helmet & shoulder pads for use during the season
- Pocket pad girdle & knee, thigh, hip and tail pads to keep
- Practice Jersey, Pants and belt & Mouthpiece to keep
- Game Pants for use during the season
- Two Game Day Jerseys (Home & Conflict) to keep.
- $25 Operations Buy-out
- $15 Travel Fund Fee
- Physical Fee
- Photo Package
- $100 of Opening Day Raffle Tickets (100% returning to player)
What is included in my Cheer Registration Fee?
What do I need to buy for my son for tackle football that is not provided by the league?
- Jock, Socks & Shoes. Buy shoes early, don’t wait until late July!
- Special Pads or protective gear such as neck pads, rib pads, body suit pads, special mouthpiece. Note: All worn Protective gear must be included in game-day weigh-ins.
- Helmet eye visors are only allowed with special medical clearance (waiver) by an ‘Ophthalmologist’ identifying the ‘medical’ reason for the required use of a visor. Note: This is for EMT eye access purposes and an OEC Rule. Sport goggles can be worn in lieu of helmet eye visors. Approved visors must be clear and not tinted.
- Personal helmets can be used as long as they are less than two (2) years old or have been factory safety certified within the past two (2) years if they are older than 2 years. Inside sticker should identify re-certification.
- No skull caps (UnderArmor, Nike, etc.) allowed during practices or games.
- Practice & game day water bottle (1-Quart or ½-gallon jug type recommended).
- Football Gear Bags (Cobra bags will be available for purchase at Physical Day).
How do I know if I am eligible to play Pop Warner football for Tustin?
- If you are a Tustin resident or a resident of a City that does not have a Pop Warner football team, such as Orange or Irvine, you are eligible to play for Tustin.
- If you are a resident of Unincorporated Santa Ana and have a Zip Code of 92705 (Cowan Heights, North Tustin) you are eligible. However, if you reside in the City of Santa Ana and have a Zip Code of 92705 you will need a Geographical Waiver from the Pop Warner Association where you live (see Waiver FAQ below). In general, if you can light fireworks in front of your home, you most likely need a Waiver from Santa Ana Pop Warner.
- You can go to www.popwarneroec.com to see the other cities and refer to the OEC Administrative By-Laws for Association boundary information as well as download the Waiver form.
- If you have played under a Waiver for two (2) years for Tustin, you have been ‘grandfathered’ in our Association. Waivers are only good for one (1) year.
How do I obtain a Geographical Waiver?
- If a Geographical Waiver is required, applicants will not be allowed to sign-up via the online registration system.
- The applying member is responsible for obtaining a Waiver from the resident’s Pop Warner releasing city, signed by that Association President.
- The applicant can obtain the Waiver from www.popwarneroec.com and also obtain the contact information for the releasing city from the OEC website links.
- Once the Waiver is signed by the releasing city the applicant can now apply (in person only) for Tustin Pop Warner.
- All Waiver applicants will be required to submit all paperwork and payment (in full) in order to be placed on an official roster.
- Note: If you played your first year with a waiver in 2008 for Tustin, you will be allowed to sign-up on-line but a waiver is still required for your second season.
- Note: Waivers are not automatic. It is up to the releasing city to authorize and sign the Waiver. Tustin has no overriding power to obtaining a Waiver.
When does practice begin & how long do they last?
- First day of practice begins on August 1st and there will be practice during August five (5) days a week through the month up until the beginning of the season. After the season begins there will be practices three (3) days a week.
- Practices will last 2-1/2 hours including water breaks.
- Players must have a minimum of ten (10) days of practice (20 hours), 10-hours without pads and 10-hours with pads (non contact) to certify mid-August (exact date tbd). This is a requirement in order to play in the first season game on August 30th.
- August practices will be held at various TUSD campuses (TBD).
- Beginning September practices will be held at either Foothill or Tustin High School (to be determined by the Head Coach).
When is Opening Day Ceremonies & When does the Season begin?
- Opening Day is tentatively set for August 22nd at Foothill High School. This will be a scrimmage and not a league game.
- The first season game is on Saturday August 29th, Labor Day weekend.
How long does the season last?
- There will be a minimum of ten (10) consecutive Saturday games in a season for all divisions beginning on Saturday, August 29th
- JPW & up may qualify for playoffs & Championships which could extend the season into early December.
- Bowl games will be an option should the team decide to participate. These games are held either Thanksgiving Weekend or the first weekend of December.
What are the weight limit policies?
- In the shadow of the recent tragedies surrounding youth athletes who have perished on the football field, and with great concern for rapid weight loss or restricted weight gain of naturally growing children, Tustin Pop Warner will take weight limits very seriously.
- Tustin Pop Warner cannot sign-up a player who is eight (8) pounds over the maximum weight limits.
- Weight will be verified at the league physical day or from the physicians signed physical form should you be unable to attend the league physical day.
- Note: No players will be officially assigned to a team until the weight has been documented.
- Physical documentation must be turned in before July 1st for all registered players. Should physical documentation not be turned in by 07/01 said player will be removed from the team roster until paperwork is submitted and approved. Space permitting the player will be placed back on the team roster.
- Players whom are of concern due to their weight history from August certification in 2006 will monitored and checked prior to team assignment on June 1st.
- Players must be within six (6) pounds of the maximum weight limit before beginning practice on August 1st.
- Note: No player can attend practice, even to condition to drop weight, if they are six (6) pounds over the division weight limit.
- Players must be at or under the maximum weight limit by Team Certification (mid-August).
What is my league volunteer commitment?
- Your operations volunteer commitment has been taken care of in your registration fee. $25 of your fee will go into paying for the labor for game day field set up, field teardown, snack bar & timekeeping. At Tustin we think you should spend time enjoying the games and your children’s participation and not having to work.
What are my league and team fundraising commitments?
- A great portion of your league fundraising commitment has been included in your registration fee. The cost of the operations of the league and planned growth and investments are accounted for in our registration fees. However, each team has committed to a minimum Pre-Season fundraising campaign of $1500 per team of which $1000 goes to the league’s general fund and $500 is deposited in the individual team account. We hope this campaign consists of corporate contributions in lieu of individual personal contributions.
- The league may hold additional fundraising campaigns during the season and your voluntary participation would be welcome.
- Team fundraising is structured by the individual team Staff. Team fund raising is deposited into a team account for use by the team for direct ‘team’ expenses including but not limited to; jersey nameplates, team parties, end of season banquet and post season travel.
What is the “Travel Fund’?
- The Travel Fund fee is a component of your Registration Fee. $15 from each tackle player and cheerleader (JMM thru Midget) will go into a separate league travel account with our financial institution. Any teams that qualify for Nationals (Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando) will receive up to 80% of the funds in the account at any given year. 20% will remain in the fund for continued growth.
- The current year Board will decide on a maximum $/participant at the beginning of each season that would be distributed from said Fund.
- Note: National Competition is only open to JPW thru Midget. Notwithstanding, the JMM & MM levels will still participate as by the time those players are eligible for travel to Nationals the fund will be larger.
- FYI: The cost to Travel to Florida for the Championships (Div 1) is approximately $1200 per football player & $800 per cheerleader (including airfare, required Disney team hotel accommodations & food). OEC (our conference) and the NFL also have Travel Funds that will have distributions to traveling teams/squads. It can be assumed that at least $500 of travel will be subsidized though these three funds.
What is OEC & WESCON?
- The Orange Empire Conference (‘OEC’) is the conference that Tustin belongs to consisting of 26 cities primarily in Orange County.
- The Western Regional Conference (‘WESCON) is the conference that OEC belongs to and is 1 of 8 national conferences that comprise National Pop Warner.
How far will I be traveling for away games and what are the game times?
- You can expect to travel as far north as Pasadena, Hacienda Heights & North Long Beach and as far south as San Clemente. You can refer to the OEC website for the complete list of cities.
- Game times begin as early as 8AM and as late as 7PM. normally, the Flag, JMM & MM usually will be morning games, the JPW & PW games will be late morning to early afternoon games and the JM & M games are late afternoon or evening games. Game times will vary.
- Regional Playoff Games may include travel to the Inland Empire, San Diego and/or Western Arizona.
As a returning member to Tustin Pop Warner, do I have any special privileges?
- Yes you do. If your child was a ‘08 season participant, he does have some privileges. He can return to his head coach (either in the same division or an upper division) automatically as long as he signs up within the first seven (7) days of registration (April 4th) and if there is room in the division.
- See team request & assignment FAQ for more details.
How do I request and get assigned to a specific team?
- Sign-Ups are on a first come first serve basis.
- Teams are considered full once the number of registrants reaches 35. Divisions are considered full when all teams have reached 35 registrants. (example - 2 teams in a division equals 70 player spots available).
- You can choose your requested team during the registration process on-line.
- If you are returning to your head coach, you will be automatically assigned to his team unless you choose to play for another team/coach. As long as you sign up and there is room in the ‘division’, you will be assigned to your head coach team.
- If you change teams or divisions and are not with your previous season head coach you will be assigned to your requested team in the order of your sign-up.
- Team assignments are not guaranteed. All paperwork and physical needs to be fully executed and validated to be assigned to an official roster.
When and how do I get the required Physical and turn in paperwork?
- Physicals will be conducted June 20th; each Head Coach will contact all players regarding the team's specified time..
- Physical fee is included in your registration.
- All required paperwork as identified in Sign-Up FAQ needs to be submitted at Physical Day.
- If you cannot make the Physical Day you can obtain a physical form from our website and have your doctor fill out the form and authorize. You must use this official physical form.
How and when will I be notified on what team my child has been assigned to?
- Your head coach will receive the preliminary roster on June 1st.
- You will be contacted after June 1st by your head coach.
- Your team meeting will take in the month of June and scheduled by your head coach.
What is my child’s scholastic obligation?
- The official name of Pop Warner is ‘Pop Warner Little Scholars’. Scholastic responsibility is the most important component of our program.
- Your child must turn in a report card for the entire 2007/2008 school year that has an overall grade point average of 2.0.
- Scholastic Waivers are available for those participants who do not meet the scholastic eligibility standards. Participants who cheer or play under a scholastic waiver must abide by the specific criteria required by National Pop Warner.
When do I get the TPW equipment and how do make sure it fits properly?
- Your head coach and staff will size up all equipment at your team meeting.
- Equipment will be distributed to your head coach in mid-July.
Is there a Scholarship Program if I cannot afford the fee?
- Tustin Pop Warner Football and Cheer has established a Scholarship Program to assist those who may need financial assistance. Families whose children or dependents meet the requirements of the California State School Lunch Program and attend a school within the Tustin Unified School District are eligible for the Scholarship Program.
- For the 2009 season, Tustin Pop Warner will provide thirty-five (35) scholarships on a first come, first serve basis. The fee for Scholarship Participants is $150 payable in three installments with the first installment of $50 due at the time of online registration.
- Scholarship Applications can be obtained during the online registration process.
- All applications must be signed by a school official and have a school stamp; all applications will be verified by Tustin Pop Warner Football & Cheer.
- Completed applications must be returned to Tustin Pop Warner Football & Cheer by May 15th, 2009. If the Scholarship application is not turned in on time, or if they can not be verified, your son/daughter will forfeit their registration position.
Is there a Refund Policy?
- Refunds will be issued in accordance with the following circumstances:
- Registration cancellations between March 29th and April 30th will be “charged” a $50.00 cancellation fee.
- Registration cancellations between May 1st and June 30th will be “charged” a $150 cancellation fee (
- Registration cancellations after July 1st will not receive any refund.
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