Azalea Park Panthers: Pop Warner Football & Cheerleading

Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is a non-profit organization that provides youth football and cheer & dance programs for participants in 41 states and several countries around the world. Consisting of approximately 360,000 young people ranging from ages 5 to 16 years old, PWLS is the largest youth football, cheer and dance program in the United States. Azalea Park Panthers Pop Warner serves ages 7 - 15 in tackle football and cheerleading divisions.

PWLS, founded in 1929, continues to grow and serves as the only youth football, cheerleading & dance organization that requires its participants to maintain academic standards in order to participate. Pop Warner’s commitment to academics is what separates the program from other youth sports around the world.

As the only national youth sports organization that requires scholastic aptitude to participate, Pop Warner is committed to developing America's young people on the field and off. Each year Pop Warner continues to expand its efforts in team and activity participation, as well as visibility and outreach in the community.

The mission of Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. is to enable children to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment. Through this active participation, Pop Warner programs teach fundamental values, skills and knowledge that children will use throughout their lives

Objectives

*To encourage and increase youth participation in football, cheerleading and dance.
*To ensure a safe and positive playing environment for all participants.
*To instill life-long values of teamwork, dedication and a superior work ethic in the classroom and on the playing field.

Positive Experiences

*Pop Warner programs have no tryouts or cutting of rosters.
*Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play.
*On-field coaching is allowed for younger age levels.
*Individual awards are given only for academic excellence, not for on-field activities.

Safe Playing Environment

*Players are matched by age and weight levels.
*There are strict mandatory equipment requirements.
*Pop Warner provides Coaching Clinics and Risk Management Training.
*An enforced national rule book incorporates time-tested rules.
*A full-time executive staff supports all local associations and assists in sound policy creation.

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The following documents are needed no later than June in order to be eligible to participate: * A physical documented on a Pop Warner physical form or another form but it must state "cleared for sports". This must have an original signature of the doctor. It must be dated in the current season (year of play). Medical History and Physical Form (New for 2007 Season - Standardized Medical Form via National Pop Warner). * A copy of the state issued birth certificate. * 2 copies of the most current school year report card. This must contain all grading periods for that school year. * A completed and signed eligibility hard-card (provided by the league). * A wallet-size "head shot" picture. This must have been taken within the last year or so. Remember to put your child's name on the back of the picture. * Registration Form filled out. See APP Need to Know to download the Registration Form. Registration Form. * The report card must have a 2.0 or better grade point average. If less than 2.0, another form must be taken to the school and filled out in order to satisfy scholastic eligibilty requirements. See the Scholastic Coordinator for the form. Fee Structure: League participation fees are $? for POP WARNER Football and Cheerleading. Cheerleaders will, in addition, have to purchase their shoes and socks. * All participants must also participate in fundraising opportunities. * A corporate sponsorship discount of 10% of the donated amount will be credited to the account of the participant that brings in that sponsorship(s) to the league. * Payment Plans are available, to insure all that want to be involved may be involved, as follows: * The Treasurer is your contact point for any pre-arranged financial agreements. However, fees must be fully paid by June. Other Participant Costs - Participants will be required to purchase other personal items as listed below: Tackle Football - practice pants, football cleats, jock, mouth-piece. Cheerleading - team specific shoes, socks, body shirt to be used during competition, miscellaneous competition costs. There may be other miscellaneous costs of team snacks, team parties, coaching gifts, pictures, spirit items, … These costs do not have to be incurred. Azalea Park Provides for during the season and needs these items all returned at the end of the season: Football – Helmet, shoulder pads, pant pads, game jerseys and game pants. Cheerleading – If renting: Cheer uniform top and skirt. Azalea Park Also Provides: * An opportunity to have your physical done for a nominal amount. Physical Date to be posted later. * Trophies

THE POP WARNER SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICAN PROGRAM

Each year, the most academically accomplished Pop Warner kids compete for Academic All-American status. This process begins at the association level and up through each of the eight Pop Warner regions to the national level. In 2002, approximately 360,000 kids participated in Pop Warner. Incredibly, more than 45,000 achieved regional pre-qualifying status for national recognition. As our numbers once again reached record levels, 229 First Team members and over 3,400 Second Team members were named PWLS Academic All-Americans at the National Level in 2002.

The PWLS All-American Program requires a minimum 96% grade point average to apply for All-American status. After the applications have been processed, Pop Warner determines National First Team All-Americans (35 football, 18 cheer per grade) and National Second Team All-Americans.

ALL-AMERICAN SELECTION PROCESS:

A final score is calculated for each student that consists of up to 100 points (85%) for the student's grades for the prior school year, along with up to 18 points (15%) awarded for the attached Addendum sheet of activities and achievements.

Once the scores have been calculated, First Team All-Americans are selected. The top 35 football players and 18 cheerleaders per grade (plus ties) are selected as National First Team All-Americans.

Second Team All-Americans are then determined by Pop Warner based upon the number of applications that were submitted for that year. Last year's total was approximately 3,500 Second Team All-Americans

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Pop Warner will announce its annual Scholar All-Americans each year on April 1st. Each scholar will receive an informational packet in the mail by the end of April that includes:

Congratulatory letter from Pop Warner indicating their scholastic accomplishment.

Certificate of achievement for National All-Americans.

Information regarding the Pop Warner National All-American Banquet.

FREQUENTLY ASKED SCHOLASTIC QUESTIONS:

What is the difference between First Team and Second Team All-American?
A First Team All-American is one of the top 35 football players or top 18 cheerleaders for his/her grade nationwide! A Second Team All-American consists of those scholars who are above an annually increasing final score (GPA + addendum), ranging last year from 97.5 -100.5!

If my son/daughter makes First Team for his/her region, are they automatically a National First Team All-American?
No. Regional awards and National awards are separate from each other. You must understand that while someone makes First Team at the Region Level, he/she is competing against the entire nation at the National Level.

What is an All-American Senior Scholar and are they the only ones eligible for scholarships at the Awards Program in May?
An All-American Senior Scholar is a First Team recipient in grades 8, 9 or 10. Yes, they are the only Scholar All-Americans who are eligible for scholarships.

How big of an accomplishment is it to be named as a Pop Warner All-American Scholar?
A very tremendous accomplishment! If your son/daughter is recognized as a Pop Warner All-American Scholar, then he/she is amongst the top 1% of all Pop Warner participants. They are also eligible to attend our Awards Recognition Program held annually which commemorates their achievements on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

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