Manchester Pop Warner Red Hawks
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register my child to play or cheer?
On our website, click 'register' and create an account with your (the parent/guardian) information. While setting up your account, you can then add participants and select from available programs to sign up. Payment can be applied on our website.
Registering online is the 1st step in the registration process.
>Pop Warner requires that the Pop Warner Participant Contract & Parental Consent form as well as the Pop Warner Physical Fitness & Medical History form are completed and turned in before players and cheerleaders can participate.
>Pop Warner requires that we collect a copy of your participant's 2020/2021 complete report card
> For new participants; we are required to collect your participant's original birth certificate and a copy to be certified. The original birth certificate will be returned to you.
Pop Warner forms will be posted on our website no later than March 31st.
Once all forms and documents are turned in and the registration fee is paid in full, registration is then complete.
Click HERE to access the 2021 Pop Warner registration forms
How do I turn in the required paperwork?
Register for emails, check our website and follow us on Facebook. We will announce dates and times, when and where you can turn in your paperwork ahead of the start of the season. For the safety of your information, we cannot accept any documents until they are all complete and ready to turn in at the same time.
How do I sign up to receive emails?
On our website, click 'register' and create an account with your (the parent/guardian) information.
What kind of programs do you offer for Football and Cheer?
We are a co-ed Pop Warner Tackle Football and Cheer league.
We run a yearly Fall Pop Warner Tackle Football and Cheer Season starting in August and running thru November (sometimes December if teams reach Championship level)
We make every effort to run additional programs to provide the youth in our community added activities during our off-season months..
These may include, but are not limited to, winter flag football, Spring, summer or winter Cheer clinics, and winter, spring and summer workouts.
Does my child need to have experience to participate?
We welcome young athletes, boys and girls, of all skill levels to play tackle football or to cheer, with no experience required.
What age does my child need to be to participate?
For Tackle Football; players can start as young as 5 years old and play all the way thru 14 years old.
For Cheer, cheerleaders can start as young as 5 years old and can cheer all the way thru to 16 years old.
Players and Cheerleaders participate in our Pop Warner Tackle Football and Cheer program based on their age as of July31st of the given year.
How are teams determined?
Football teams are determined by age. 6U includes ages 5&6. 8U includes ages 7&8. 10U includes ages 9&10. 12U includes ages 11&12. 14U includes ages 13&14.
Cheer teams are determined by age groups and registration totals.. Tiny Mite will include ages 5 thru 7. Mitey Mite will include ages 7 thru 9. Jr. PeeWee will include ages 8 thru 10. PeeWee will include ages 9 thru 12. Jr. Varsity will include ages 10 thru 13. Varsity will include ages 12 thru 16.
What is the practice schedule?
For Football; practices start with conditioning Monday thru Friday from 6pm to 8pm for 2 weeks..
Practices will then reduce to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm-8pm.
Younger teams team will practice 2 nights per week, and may be excused at 7:30pm.
For cheer; at the start of the season practices are Monday thru Friday from 6pm to 8pm for 2 weeks..
Practices will then reduce, and may fall on Monday, Tues, Wed or Thursday evenings.
Final Cheer practice schedules will be determined by the coach.
Families are advised to check with their coach or team parent for ALL final practice plans.
Where are practices held?
We practice at the Washington School field in Manchester, at 94 Cedar Street. Practice locations may change, but will always be local; in the Manchester area
Are parents required to attend practices?
It is best for your child that a parent or guardian is present during practices.
This is mandatory for all families with a player or cheerleader under 13 years old. Parents or Guardians should be available in the unexpected event of your child experiencing illness, an injury, an unexpected weather cancellation due to lightning, and it's especially important that parents are present to bring their child home when practice ends.
Will practices or games get cancelled in bad weather?
Football is practiced and played in all types of weather including rain, cold weather, hot weather etc. Cheerleaders cheer for the teams playing in these elements. For the safety of our participants, lightening will mandate a delay or cancellation. The town may also close fields in the event of severe weather conditions.
When and Where are games played?
Games are usually on Sundays, but some may be on Saturdays as well.
We play home games at the Manchester High School field.
Away games are played in towns throughout Connecticut, with Pop Warner Tackle Football teams affiliated with Southern Connecticut Pop Warner (SCPW). Occasionally, in the event of challenges with filling schedules, SCPW may plan a game that is out of state.
Game times are generally spread throughout the day with younger teams playing the earliest games and older teams playing the later games.
Families are encouraged to consult with their coach or team parent for game schedules and required arrival times.
Does the league provide transportation to away games?
Parents/guardians are expected to provide transportation for their player or cheerleader.
In the event there is a conflict, parents/guardians are encouraged to reach out to their coach or team parent to arrange car pooling.
If I have more than one child participating, will they always play in the same place on the same day?
Southern Connecticut Pop Warner makes every effort to schedule for leagues to play all teams in the same place on the same date,
Despite their best efforts, this can't always be accomplished, and some teams may travel to different places.
Families are encouraged to work with their coach and/or team parent to arrange car pooling when needed.
Does the league provide equipment and uniforms?
After the registration fee is paid in full;
Football players will be provided the game uniform and a practice jersey.
Football players will be provided shoulder pads, and a helmet.
Parents/guardians are required to supply padded practice pants, cleats, mouth guard and protective cup; all of which is required for player safety.
Cheerleaders will be provided their game day cheer uniform including the cheer skirt, cheer top and bow.
Cheerleaders will be provided pom-poms.
Parents/guardians are expected to provide white cheer shoes and socks, and athletic under shorts.
ALL League provided equipment and uniforms will be returned to the league after the player/cheerleader's final game of the season.
Can I request a refund?
Refunds can be processed up until the league participates in our first game/jamboree of the season. A $25 processing fee will be withheld from refunds.
Who should I contact if I want to volunteer to help the league?
It takes a lot of work to run a football and cheer program, so we appreciate every parent and family member who is willing to contribute.
During the season we will send out sign up opportunities to assist during our home games. There are plenty of roles to be filled, and even an hour of your time makes a big difference.
Check our website for details about our 'Gridiron Club'. This is another volunteer role, working with a group of other fun and invested parents and families.
Who should I contact if I am interested in Coaching?
We always appreciate parents and family members who want to contribute and work with our kids.
If you are interested in coaching Football, please send us an email at [email protected].
If you are interested in coaching Cheer, please send us an email at [email protected].
Who should I contact if I am interested in joining the league Board of Directors?
We are very interested to hear from parents and family members who want to participate in planning and running the organization and making it the best program possible for our kids.
Please send us an email at [email protected]