When is registration?
Our registration period usually opens the 1st week of February. Football and Cheer rosters fill up quickly.
What is the fee for registration?
The cost to register a football player or cheerleader is $325 for the current season. There are several discounts that you can take advantage of to help reduce the financial burden, including an Early-Bird Discount, among others.
What required documentation do I need to register my child?
1) Pop Warner Participant Contract and Parental Consent Form (electronically-signed in athlete's profile)
2) Pop Warner Participant Medical History Form (electronically-signed in athlete's profile)
3) copy of the official birth certificate (showing the official seal)
In the weeks prior to the first practice, there will be a Parent Meeting to introduce you to your Coaches and West Orange Board members. At one of those meetings or the first day of practice, you will also be required to submit:
1) copy of your child’s Final Report card (showing the final grades for all marking periods) for the most recent full academic year, and,
2) completed Sports / Medical Physical Form for your athlete and signed by a medical professional. The medical form can be dated anytime in the current year. So, if your child is getting a check-up or other physical for any other reason, please remember to get form signed by the medical professional.
Does West Orange Pop Warner coordinate the physicals?
No. Parents are responsible for getting their athlete's physicals scheduled with the doctor of their choice.
If my child doesn’t like it, can I get my money back?
Prior to June 1st, you can get a full refund, less a $50 processing fee. Between June 1st and the 1st day of practice you can get a 50% refund. After 1st day of practice, there are no refunds.
Is there a discount for signing up additional kids from my family?
Yes. Each additional child registered after the first registered child will be $25 less.
When does the season start?
The season begins on July 15, and the first game will be approximately in mid-August.
Are there any additional fees I can expect during the year?
Each team manages their own financials during the season. You may be asked to contribute money to buy ‘team’ supplies such as Gatorade, ice, snacks, etc. These fees usually do not amount to more than $5-10 per week.
Football players will need cleats and practice gear (practice pants, practice jersey, mouth guard, squeeze water bottle).
For cheerleaders, there are accessories that will need to be purchased prior to and/or during the season starting and these usually run between $75 and $125.
How many games are there in a season?
There are 8 regular season games, a Jamboree or pre-season game prior to opening week and playoff games if the teams qualify. Most games are held on Saturday mornings / afternoons.
Where are the home games?
West Orange Wildcat Home games are normally played at Walker Football Field in Winter Garden. As the primary feeder program to West Orange High School, among others in the West Orange district, some Home Games will be played at the West Orange High School Football Stadium.
Where are the practices?
All practices are held at Veterans Park or Walker Field (across the street from Veterans Park) in Winter Garden.
How do I know what division my child will play or cheer for?
Team assignments are determined by age.
How long and frequent are the practices?
The first week of practice is reserved for conditioning. No contact is permitted during the Conditioning week, and this time is used to exercise and begin evaluations of the athletes. From the end of conditioning until Labor Day, teams can practice in pads for up to 10 hours per week. After Labor Day, teams are allowed to practice up to 6 hours per week. Cheerleading practices typically average the same hours per week as football.
Can I be a football coach?
All Head Coaches are selected and managed by the West Orange Football Commissioner. Assistant Coaches are selected by each team’s Head Coach and approved by the Commissioner. The West Orange program strongly encourages coaches not to coach their own child’s team to avoid issues of player favoritism; but, this is not a rule. Since most teams practice at the same times, this is typically not an issue.
All coaches, who will be on the practice field or on the sidelines during games, must complete: (1) Pop Warner Southeast Region Football Coaches Certification (every 3 years), (2) USA Football National Certification (every year), and (3) a submit to and pass a confidential Level 2 FDLE Background Check (each year), including Fingerprints (every 5 years).
If you are interested in becoming an Assistant Coach, please contact the Football Commissioner or a team’s Head Coach.
Can I be a cheer coach?
All Head Coaches are selected and managed by the West Orange Cheer & Dance Coordinator. Assistant Coaches are selected by each team’s Head Coach and approved by the Coordinator. Similar to football coaches, the West Orange program strongly encourages coaches not to coach their own child’s team to avoid issues of player favoritism; but, this is not a rule.
All coaches, who will be on the practice field or on the sidelines during games, must complete: (1) a Pop Warner Southeast Region Cheer Coaches Certification (every 2 years), (2) YCADA National Certification (every year), and (3) a submit to and pass a confidential Level 2 FDLE Background Check (each year), including Fingerprints (every 5 years).
If you are interested in becoming an Assistant Coach, please contact the Cheer & Dance Coordinator or a team’s Head Coach.
What is the minimum age for becoming a Head Coach?
The minimum age for football Head Coaches is 21, and 21 for cheerleading. Assistant Coaches must be at least 18 years of age.
How many players are there per football team?
Pop Warner rules mandate that no team may have more than 35 and no less than 18 players on active roster.
How many cheerleaders are there per cheer team?
Generally, cheer teams typically range from 6 to 12 per active roster.
What equipment does my son get and what do I have to purchase?
West Orange will provide each player with a certified football helmet, shoulder pads, game pants, and game jersey (home and away), all of which MUST be returned at the end of the season. Players are responsible for providing their own mouth guards, practice pants, practice jersey, socks and cleats. Other equipment, such as rib protectors, athletic supporters and neck braces, is not required equipment, but can be used, if desired. Cheerleaders are provided a uniform ensemble.
Are the rules different between age groups/classes?
For the most part, the general rules of football apply to all age divisions. Mid-Florida Pop Warner adheres to the same rule book that governs State of Florida High School play. The youngest class (7U) is a purely instructional level and teams play in 25-minute halfs with a running clock. Coaches are on the field at all times and can directly instruct players before, during and after plays. Teams from the 8U to 14U (oldest) levels play 10-minute quarters, and also adhere to minimum play rules.
All players dressed to play are required to participate a minimum amount of plays depending on the roster size.
How far are the away games?
The Mid-Florida Pop Warner Conference includes teams from Lake, Orange, Seminole, Polk, Osceola and Volusia Counties. You can expect to travel to any city in these counties for away games. For teams that make the playoffs, regional games can be as far as Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa.
Are the games properly officiated?
Yes. Referees from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) oversee all games. These are the same officials who officiate at the high school football games.
Do you need coaches for cheerleading?
Cheerleading Head Coaches and assistants are desperately needed for all cheerleading levels. Please contact the Cheer & Dance Coordinator, if you are interested.
If I don’t have an athlete that is playing in the program, can I have a daughter that is in the Cheer program?
Absolutely! We strongly encourage all young women and girls from the community to become cheerleaders in our program. Cheerleading is an integral part of successful football and is a great way for the girls to exercise, compete and socialize.
Is there a competition for cheerleaders?
Yes, towards the end of every season, all cheerleaders from Mid-Florida Pop Warner compete in the annual cheerleading competition. There is also an opportunity to compete beyond the Mid-Florida Pop Warner Conference Competition, if teams advance. West Orange has had many winning cheer programs in the past.
Are the backgrounds of your coaches checked?
Yes. All Head and Assistant Coaches must submit to and pass a confidential Level 2 FDLE Background Check (each year), including Fingerprints (every 5 years).
What type of assistance can I provide if I’m not a coach?
Team Parents (Moms or Dads) are highly encouraged to assist the Head Coaches in the management of supplies, communication and, most importantly, paperwork. Team Parents are essential to successful seasons.
If you are interested in becoming a Team Parent, then please contact the Head Coach of the team you are interested in supporting. Please note that these positions require a substantial time and energy commitment. Make sure that you can commit to being at most practices and all games, if you are serious about volunteering. In addition, since our Team Parents are provided access to all West Orange student-athletes as well as authorized access to game sidelines, they must complete: (1) a Pop Warner Southeast Region Football or Cheer Certification, (2) USA Football or YCADA National Certification (every year), and (3) a submit to and pass a confidential Level 2 FDLE Background Check (each year), including Fingerprints (every 5 years).
Outside of Team Parents, there are many tasks that you can assist with on game days. Volunteers are always needed to to support game day operations and activities, such as being a part of the on-field chain crew during the day of games, supporting the Mandatory Play Rule (MPR) execution during each game, game announcer, litter control, etc.
Is the emphasis on winning?
Since Pop Warner is a scholastic organization first, the emphasis is on academics. On the football field, the emphasis is on hard work, discipline, teamwork and commitment with the understanding that winning is a by-product of those attributes.
Does my child’s scholastic performance affect his ability to play?
Absolutely! Pop Warner is first and foremost an academic institution built on advancing young men and women through football. Pop Warner closely monitors the academic performance of all its participants.
For those who fall too far behind, they will be required to provide a bi-weekly progress report signed by their school administrators in order to play each week.
For exceptional students, there are scholarships available to those who qualify. West Orange Pop Warner has a board-appointed Scholastic Coordinator whose responsibility it is to monitor and report on the academic progress of all participants.
Does West Orange Pop Warner accept sponsors?
Most definitely! The West Orange Pop Warner program is always in need of generous benefactors who wish to donate funds and supplies. All donations are tax-deductible, as West Orange is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) program.
Is West Orange Wildcats Pop Warner affiliated with West Orange High School?
Sort of. As the primary feeder program to West Orange High School, among others in the West Orange district, including Windermere High School and Horizon High School, we try our best to align ourselves with the goals and direction of the high school. However, there is no financial affiliation between our two programs.