SMPW Cheer

The objective of SMPW cheer is to teach each performer the fundamentals of cheer and to provide them an opportunity to perform in an organized, adult-supervised, safety-oriented and fun setting. We strongly emphasize good sportsmanship, fair play and teamwork. While we coach athletic skills on a competitive level and believe winning cheer competitions is important, our primary focus is forming good citizens and developing fine character. Pop Warner also requires that each student athlete meets specific academic standards.

Any child living within the boundaries of San Marcos Unified School District wishing to cheer is eligible to participate. Children are divided into teams based on the following age/weight breakdowns in the following chart. However, these are not strict standards in cheer as they are in football. To complete a cheer squad, older and younger cheerleaders may be combined without regard to weight.

Pop Warner is the only national youth sport program that requires participants to maintain minimum scholastic standards. SMPW emphasizes that playing football is secondary to each child's education. If at any time it is brought to the attention of the SMPW 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.

Cheer is an athletic performance 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 nature of cheer.

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.

Games are typically held on Saturdays, but some post-season games may fall on a Sunday. Cheer squads cheer for SMPW football teams but they also compete in cheer competition meets on a competitive level. JAMZ events are also venues in which SMPW cheerleaders compete.

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 squad qualifies for Regional competition, and potentially through mid-December if the team plays at the National championship level. The season will also continue if the football team the squad is rostered with qualifies for post-season playoffs/games.

During the month of August, practices are held 4 days a week for competitive squads, and 3 days a week for Flag and Mitey Mite. Starting in September, the practice schedule is reduced to 3 days per week for competitive and 2 days a week for Flag and Mitey Mite.

If a squad qualifies for post season playoff games, practices will continue throughout the month of October and possibly through November if playoff victories continue.

The National championship games are held in Orlando, Florida during the month of December. If any squad 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 cheer squad 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 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 in advance and must certify absences. 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. Pop Warner games are always scheduled on Saturdays, however some post-season events may be scheduled on a Sunday.

The registration fee is $375 for cheer with tackle and $275 for cheer with flag or mighty mite. The registration fee covers uniforms, cheer camp, pictures, banquet and trophies. .

Players on teams qualifying for regional playoffs or national championship games at the Disney World Sports Center, in Orlando, Florida, will incur travel, lodging and meal costs. Additional team fundraising will probably be required to help offset the cost of team travel expenses at the national level.

Cheerleading was officially recognized in the 1970’s, but has been a part of the Pop Warner program for several decades.

The first ever National Cheerleading competition was held in DeKalb County, GA. Today, 130,000 children are participating in cheerleading and dance around the United States.

Participation in the Pop Warner Spirit Program provides kids an opportunity to perform in an organized, supervised, safety-oriented environment. Pop Warner programs emphasize fun for all and encourage the development of qualities important long after Pop Warner days are gone.

The Spirit Program is growing in numbers each year due to the popularity of the sport. In an effort to keep pace with the many new changes in the cheer & dance industry, there are a few basic rules that are unique to Pop Warner Spirit Squads. For a complete list of Pop Warner guidelines, please download the Official Pop Warner Rulebook.

Important Dates:

WHEN	WHAT	WHERE & WHEN
August 1	Cheer and Dance COACHES CLINIC	Oceanside High School- Hosted by Oceanside PW
August 1	1st Day of Practice	Bradley Park - Individual Team Times Vary
August 2 & 3	Cheer and Dance Fun Day Camp	Oceanside High School- Hosted by Oceanside PW
October 26	PALOMAR Cheer and Dance Competition	COX Arena-San Diego State University Campus
November 23	WESCON Cheer and Dance Championships	Long Beach Arena

JULY 13th (all day)
Mission Estancia Elementary, 3330 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA. 92009

MANDATORY for all NEW Head coaches and Coordinators, and RETURNING Head coaches and Coordinators WHOSE CERTIFICATION HAS EXPIRED.

Palomar Conference pays for one new head coach per squad. It is highly encouraged that each association send assistant coaches and student demonstrators. Cost for the training will be forthcoming.

REMEMBER: If head coaches are not certified, their squads will not be allowed to STUNT or COMPETE.

August 1st Coaches Clinic and August 2nd and 3rd Cheer Camp
OCEANSIDE High School
Seagaze Drive and Horne Street
Oceanside, CA 92054