​What does it cost?

Cheer registration is $350 for standard registration and $40 for our Challenger program. Late fees may apply after May. A deposit of half of the registration fee $175 is required to register with our program. The balance must be paid in full at uniform fittings, typically held in early June. If you register your daughter after uniform fittings, the entire registration fee will be due at the time of sign up. In addition, failure to pay the balance in full with result in your cheerleader being removed from the roster and placed on a waiting list.



Does it matter where I live?

Yes. Saddleback Valley Pop Warner serves the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Newport Beach. If you live outside these areas but are interested in participating in our program, please contact us. On occasion boundary exceptions can be made if warranted.  

 

When does the season begin?

​Practice officially starts the first week of August. 



When will our head coach contact us?

Head coaches will usually establish contact with their team by late May. Once registered however you can refer to this website for current schedule information. If you are concerned because its late and you haven't heard from your coach, please contact us!



How long does the season last?

4-6 months (includes August—preparation month). The season opens around the first weekday of August to begin conditioning. The first game of the season is typically the third or fourth Saturday in August and continues into November. Competition season begins in late October/early November and continues into late January/early February for Jr Pee Wee levels and above.



Will my son be placed on his team with his coach and his teammates from the previous year?  

SVPW will make every attempt to have teammates and coaches track with each other.  We feel that it is in the players’ best interest to progress up the levels as a cohesive unit, however, we recognize that from time to time, there will be a circumstance that may prevent that from occurring.

What if I want my child to move up a level even though he could ‘stay down’?  

SVPW strongly feels that it is in the child’s best interest to play at the lowest level possible, based on his age and weight.  This can become a safety issue.  Please discuss your reasons for wanting to place your son at a higher level with our Athletic Director or President and we will come to a collective decision.

Where are practices held? ​

Los Alisos Middle School, Glen Yermo Elementary, Del Lago Elementary, Newhart Middle School, El Toro High School, Laguna Hills High School and other schools as needed.

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What if we already have a vacation scheduled for August? ​

Please discuss this with your Head Coach as soon as possible. Regular attendance is preferred during August due to the fundamental instruction and mandatory conditioning that takes place during the first 2 weeks of August. Most teams will excuse absences during August, but will set an attendance policy once school starts.

How many games will be played? ​

10 for tackle and 9 for Tiny Mite. Additional games will be played if the team makes playoffs (Jr Pee Wee levels and above).

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When and where are games played? ​

All games are on Saturdays. Home games are played at both El Toro High School and Laguna Hills High School. Away games will vary by location~~our conference covers all of Orange County and a few cities located in LA County (i.e. Long Beach, Lakewood, Montebello, Pasadena), so there is travel involved each week. Most teams are required to arrive to their game site at least 1 hour prior to kick off. Your head coach will determine that time each week.

Who does the scheduling of the games? ​

The Orange Empire Conference

Is there a refund policy if my child changes her mind and decides not to participate? ​

No, SVPW does not give refunds. In very rare cases due to injury or illness, a credit voucher for the following season may be issued. Approval of said voucher will be determined by the Board of Directors.

Why must I furnish a copy of my child's report cards? ​

It is a National Pop Warner rule that each participant provide proof of scholastic fitness in order to be rostered. It also qualifies those eligible to participate in local and national award ceremonies. Report cards are collected at camps in July or on the first day of practice. Be sure to save all current school year report cards. If your child does not meet the minimum grades required by National Pop Warner, he/she will be allowed to submit an Academic Waiver, which will allow his/her to participate through the end of September. By October 1st, all participants under an academic waiver must furnish a Progress Report from their school. OEC will review those Progress Reports and determine if the participant will be allowed to continue the season or not.

Is a baptismal or hospital birth certificate sufficient to prove my child’s age? ​

No. The only acceptable proof of age is a certified county birth certificate or a passport.

Why must my child have a physical & release form? ​

Pop Warner rules mandate that each participate is physically cleared to participate in our program. A free physical will be available at registration. In addition, SVPW will offer a one day free or low cost physical (typically in June or July). If you are unable to make that date, you can take our Pop Warner form to your physician for completion. Please be sure to discuss any medical issues (ie asthma, allergy to bee stings, etc) with your Head Coach prior to the season starting.

What is Certification? ​

Certification of all participants takes place in August. Each team has a book that houses all participant information (contract, proof of age, picture, medical release, etc) in individual sleeves. The book is checked, approved and sleeves sealed by a Conference Commissioner. The last piece of Certification is scholastic fitness (report cards). All participants must be scholastically eligible to participate.


What equipment must I supply?

You must supply acceptable football cleats, athletic supporter (hard or soft cup,) practice uniform (available for purchase at registration), 7 piece pad set, and belt.  We typically provide a mouth piece and chin strap, but many parents choose to purchase their own.

 

What else does my registration fee cover? ​

Our League is assessed fees by our Conference to cover expenses such as insurance, national charter fees, referee fees, etc. There are also field usage fees and general operating expenses that the registration fees cover. All participants receive a picture package and trophy, the costs of which are also covered by the registration fee.

How much volunteer time is expected from parents? ​

Each child’s family is expected to work at the snack bar during the season.

Why must parents participate so much? ​

SVPW is run exclusively by volunteers. All parents are expected to help out in some capacity.
Can anyone be a Head Coach? No. Anyone wishing to participate as a head coach is required to submit an application and successfully pass an interview conducted by the Board of Directors as well as mandatory background checks.

Can I request a certain Coach or Team? ​

Generally no but certain accommodations may be made when warranted. 

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What happens if my player misses practice? ​

Each Head Coach sets their own policy on absences. If a football player misses one or more practices during the week, they may have limited or no playing time in that week’s game. This is a safety issue not only for your child, but for the rest of the team.
 

Is it mandatory to fundraise? ​

Each team decides how they want to fundraise. Some teams require a ‘buy out’ of $40. Others require all parents to solicit a sponsorship or donation of at least $100, and other teams do fundraising activities. All fundraising at the team level goes towards each team’s individual expenses. Check with your Coach and/or Team Mom regarding your own team’s fundraising goals.

Who do I contact with questions about registration or if I want to refer a family to the program? ​

Please contact our us at info@svpopwarner.org.

How are volunteers screened? ​

National Pop Warner rules dictate that all volunteers (coaches, team moms, and anyone who will have direct contact with the participants) must pass a background check each year. The submission forms remain confidential and are shredded at the conclusion of the season. The background checks are run prior to the start of the season and include both Megan’s Law and criminal background checks.

Who can I talk to if I have a complaint? ​

There are plenty of people who are willing to listen! Always start with your Head Coach. The Head Coach has the final authority on how her team is run provided that she is operating under the rules of the local Conference and Pop Warner Nationals. If you are unable to discuss the issue with your Head Coach, please contact us at info@svpopwarner.org.