The objective of WVPW football is to familiarize each participant with the fundamentals of football and to provide them an opportunity to play football in an organized, adult-supervised, safety-oriented setting. We encourage good sportsmanship, fair play and a love of the game. While we foster athletic skills and believe winning games is important, our primary focus is molding good citizens and developing fine character. Pop Warner also requires that each participant meets specific academic standards.

In accordance with Pop Warner regulations, we carry a maximum of 35 players per team. Pop Warner also assures each team participant will play in each game through a Mandatory Play Requirement ("MPR") rule. Each player on the team is assured a minimum of six (6) plays per game. (Mitey Might players are assured six (6) plays per half.)

ELIGIBILTY

Any child living within the boundaries of WVPW wishing to play football is eligible to participate. Children are divided into teams based on the following age/weight breakdowns:

* Age as of July 31st
** Players allowed to gain 1 lb. per week after start of the season

SCHOLASTIC REQUIREMENTS

Pop Warner is the only national youth sport program that requires participants to maintain minimum scholastic standards. WVPW stresses that playing football is secondary to each child's schooling. If at any time it is brought to the attention of the WVPW Board that a child is failing in school due to their participation in football, the Board will meet with that child and their parent(s) to discuss the matter. If necessary, the Board will suspend the participant until his/her grades improve. In the same spirit, any child that maintains high scholastic achievement during the football season will be eligible for a scholastic award.

CONDITIONING

Football is a rigorous sport. Practices are intense, but structured so each child can succeed with effort and self-discipline. During the first week of practice, beginning August 1st, the participant is subjected to a vigorous training program designed to build strength and stamina needed to cope with the physical contact of tackle football.

CERTIFICATION

All candidates for a team must be certified. Certification includes the verification of the participant's age, weight & academic performance. Certification is conducted by Peninsula Pop Warner Football each year, usually close to Labor Day. There is no make-up session unless the candidate is ill and can provide a doctor's certificate to that effect. NO PLAYER CAN PARTICIPATE IN ANY GAMES UNLESS THE PLAYER IS CERTIFIED.

GAMES

Games are typically held on Sundays, and occasionally on Saturdays. Players must show up for games 90 minutes prior to game start time for weigh-in.

2007 Game Schedule and Record

PRACTICE SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT

The season begins August 1st. The regular season runs through the end of October. The season will continue through the end of November if a team qualifies for post-season playoffs, and potentially through mid-December if the team plays at the National championship level.

During the month of August, practices are held 5 days a week. Each practice is 2 hours. During the months of September and October, the practice schedule is reduced to 3 days per week, apx. 2 hours each practice.

If a team qualifies for post season playoff games, practices will continue throughout the month of October.

The National championship games are held in Orlando, Florida during the month of December. If any team advances to the championship level, participants should plan for continued practice sessions into December, and travel to Orlando, Florida during the second week of December.

The specific practice schedule will be determined based on facility available and team placement. Generally, participants have been able to manage participating in school activities held on an after school basis simultaneous with Pop Warner, but it is difficult to make commitments to other activities during the Pop Warner season.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is required at all practice sessions and games. Because of the conditioning required to play football safely, candidates should not miss practice. Players missing practice for legitimate reasons (sickness or injury) should contact the team coach. Coaches reserve the right to limit the game playing time of participants not attending practice sessions and/or scheduled games. Practice beings August 1st, and families should NOT plan vacations during the month of August.

COST

The registration fee is $350 per player including player certification t-shirt, or $340 for families with more than one participating child. The registration fee is due by June 2nd $100 of the registration fee may be earned back through a league sponsored fundraiser, details of which will be described at a later date. The registration fee covers practice and game uniforms (helmet, pads, mouthpieces, pants, and jerseys) most of which must be returned at the end of the season. The fee also covers facilities rental, lights, trophies, insurance, scholastic registration, first aid supplies, administrative costs and miscellaneous supplies.

Players are required to purchase cleats. Some teams elect to buy game jerseys for their players -- this is worked out by each coach and player parents. Some players purchase special pads (vests, special chin-straps, arm pads); special equipment is not provided by WVPW and is not required to participate.

Players on teams qualifying for regional competitions or national championship games will incur travel costs. Fundraising will be provided to help offset the cost of travel.