WEST ORANGE WILDCATS POP WARNER

West Orange Wildcats Pop Warner

2026 Season – Frequently Asked Questions

When does registration open?

Registration typically opens the first week of March, and teams fill quickly due to Pop Warner roster limits. We encourage families to register early to secure their spot.

What is the cost to participate?

Registration is $325 per athlete for football or cheer.

Discounts Available

⭐ Early Bird Special – Runs the entire month of March

Family Discount
Families registering three or more children receive a $50 family discount.

Payment Plans Available
Flexible payment plans are available to help families manage registration costs.

Important Deadline
All required paperwork and final payments must be completed by June 1st to be put on a roster.

For assistance with payment plans:

📧 [email protected]

Why is there a $150 non-refundable portion of registration?

The $150 non-refundable portion of registration allows the West Orange Wildcats to begin preparing for the season and securing equipment and resources for each athlete.

This includes items such as:

• Football helmets and shoulder pads
• Game and cheer uniforms
• Practice and game-day equipment
• League registration and insurance

Because these items must be ordered in advance for each participant, this portion of the registration is non-refundable.

What documents are required to register?

Required at registration:

• Pop Warner Participant Contract & Consent Form
• Pop Warner Medical History Form
• Copy of athlete’s official birth certificate

Required before the first practice:

• Copy of the athlete’s final report card
• Sports physical signed by a medical professional

Physicals may be dated anytime within the current calendar year.

What is the refund policy?

• Before June 1st: Full refund minus the $150 non-refundable registration fee
• After June 1st: No refunds, as equipment and program resources have already been ordered.

When does the season start?

July 15 – First day of practice
August 8 - Jamboree
August 15 – First games

Teams typically play:

• 1 preseason jamboree
• 8 regular season games
• Playoffs if the team qualifies

Most games are played on Saturdays.

Where are practices held?

📍 Veterans Memorial Park – Winter Garden
📍 Walker Field – Winter Garden

Where are home games played?

Walker Football Field – Winter Garden

How do I know what division my child will play or cheer for?

Team assignments are determined by age divisions according to Pop Warner guidelines. Teams will be selected after registration is completed.

How often are practices?

The first two weeks of practice is dedicated to conditioning only, with no contact permitted.

Typical practice schedule:

• Up to 10 hours per week until Labor Day
• Up to 6 hours per week after Labor Day

Cheerleading practices follow a similar schedule.

Note Flag and Jr Tiny Mites will follow a different schedule.

Are there additional costs during the season?

Some teams rotate parents bringing halftime snacks and drinks during games, while others may collect a small contribution so the Team Parent can purchase items for the team. This may vary by team.

Typical items include:

• Gatorade
• Ice
• Team snacks

These usually average $5–$10 per week.

Football players will also need:

• Cleats
• Practice pants
• Practice jersey
• Mouth guard
• Water bottle

Cheerleaders may need accessories that typically range $75–$125 for the season.

What equipment is provided?

West Orange provides football players with:

• Certified football helmet
• Shoulder pads
• Game pants
• Game jerseys (home and away)

These items must be returned at the end of the season.

Players provide their own:

• Cleats
• Practice pants and jersey
• Mouth guard
• Socks

Additional protective gear (rib protectors, neck rolls, etc.) may be used but is optional.

Cheerleaders are provided a uniform ensemble.

What teams/squads do we offer?

Tackle Teams we will have this year: 8U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U
Flag Team 6U

Cheer Teams: Jr Tiny Mites, Tiny Mites, Mitey Mites, Jr Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr Varsity

How far are away games?

Mid-Florida Pop Warner teams compete throughout:

• Orange County
• Lake County
• Seminole County
• Polk County
• Osceola County
• Volusia County

Playoff games may require travel to cities such as Jacksonville, Tampa, or Miami.

Are games properly officiated?

Yes. Games are officiated by referees from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) — the same officials who work high school football games.

Can I become a football coach?

Yes! Head Coaches are selected by the West Orange Football Commissioner.

Assistant Coaches are selected by the Head Coach and approved by the Commissioner.

All coaches must complete:

• Pop Warner Southeast Region Coaching Certification (every 3 years)
• USA Football National Certification (annually)
• Level 2 FDLE Background Check (annually)
• Fingerprinting

Head Coaches must be 21 years or older.
Assistant Coaches 18 years of age and older

Can I become a cheer coach?

Yes! Head Cheer Coaches are selected by the Cheer & Dance Coordinator, and assistant coaches are approved by the coordinator.

Requirements include:

• Pop Warner Cheer Coaching Certification
• YCADA National Certification (annually)
• Level 2 FDLE Background Check (annually)
• Fingerprinting (every 5 years)

Head Cheer Coaches must be 21 years or older.
Assistant Coaches 18 years of age and older
Jr Coaches 16 or 17 years old
Student Demonstrators 15 years old or 14 years old if on high school squad (must be 2 years older than the oldest girl on the squad)

Do you need cheer coaches?

Yes! Cheer Head Coaches and assistants are always needed, and we welcome volunteers who want to help grow the program.

Can my child participate in cheer without playing football?

Absolutely! Many cheerleaders participate without having a football player in the program.

Cheerleading is a great opportunity for girls to build confidence, stay active, and be part of the team environment.

Is there a cheer competition?

Yes. At the end of the season, teams compete in the Mid-Florida Pop Warner Cheer Competition, with opportunities to advance to higher levels of competition.
Mid Florida Cheer Competition October 24, 2026

West Orange has had many successful cheer teams over the years.

Can parents volunteer if they are not coaches?

Yes! Volunteers are essential to our program.

Parents can help as:

• Team Parents
• Game-day chain crew
• Announcers
• Event support
• Mandatory Play Rule tracking
• Field setup and operations

Team Parents assist with communication, supplies, and paperwork.

We are also looking for support staff for the Executive Board:
Team Parent Liaison Cheer
Team Parent Liaison Football
Asst. Football Commissioner
Equipment Manager
Concession Manager
Fundraiser/Sponsorship Lead
Field Day Manager
Events manager Coordinator

Is the emphasis on winning?

Pop Warner is a scholastic-based youth sports program, meaning academics come first.

Our program emphasizes:

📚 Academic success
🏈 Teamwork
💪 Discipline
🤝 Character development

Winning is simply the result of those values.

Does academic performance affect eligibility?

Yes. Student-athletes must maintain academic progress.

Athletes who fall behind academically may be required to submit bi-weekly progress reports to remain eligible.

Outstanding students may qualify for Pop Warner scholastic awards and scholarships.

Does West Orange Wildcats accept sponsors?

Yes! The West Orange Wildcats are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we welcome partnerships with businesses that want to support youth athletics in our community.

All sponsorships are tax deductible.

Is West Orange Wildcats affiliated with West Orange High School?

West Orange Wildcats serves as a primary feeder program for West Orange High School, as well as other schools in the West Orange area including Windermere High School and Horizon High School.

While we work closely with the local football community, there is no financial affiliation between the programs.