Frequently Asked Questions

What are the age requirements?

Sarasota Sun Devils age-based FOOTBALL divisions.  Division Age is as of July 31st

National Pop Warner football game is safer than it has ever been. Teams are safely established by the following:

Ages 5 & 6          Team 6U
Ages 7 & 8          Team 8U
Ages 9 & 10        Team 10U
Ages 11 & 12      Team 12U
Ages 13 & 14      Team 14U

*Divisions are subject to change based on enrollment

Sarasota Sun Devils age-based CHEER divisions.  Division Age is as of July 31st

National Pop Warner cheer is safer than it has ever been. Teams are safely established by the following:

Ages 5-7         Tiny Mites
Ages 7-9         Mitey Mites
Ages 8-11       Junior Pee Wee
Ages 9-12       Pee Wee
Ages 10-13     Jr. Varsity
Ages 12-16     Varsity

*Divisions are subject to change based on enrollment

What’s included with registration?

SUN DEVILS REGISTRATION COSTS INCLUDE:

All Football Players will be provided with a helmet, shoulder pads, game pants, game jersey and game day t-shirt.

Football players will be able to keep their “Game” Jersey and t-shirt at the end of the season.

NOT included but REQUIRED: Mouth Piece with strap to connect to helmet AND Football Cleats.

All Cheerleaders will be provided with game day uniform (shell and skirt with built-in bloomers), competition top (paired with game day skirt), competition shoes, game day bow, pink bow (for October), competition bow, one traveler uniform (shirt and shorts) and a backpack.

Registration fees also cover team registration fees to Peace River Conference (PRC) competition.

All additional costs for competitions will be covered by fundraising. Any financial shortcomings will be parent’s responsibility to pay for.

Game day uniform, competition top and backpack with be collected after the last competition.

NOT included but REQUIRED: Additional practice Soffe shorts (Black), game day shoes and no-show socks.

Cheerleaders will be able to keep their “competition” shoes, bows, traveler’s and any additional “gifts” that may be provided at the end of the season. There is also an option to purchase the backpack upon exiting the program prior to aging out.

How long is the season?

The Pop Warner Season officially kicks off on August 1st.
For both Football and Cheerleading qualifying teams, there are post-season playoffs/competitions.
All competitions are completed by Mid-December.

Fall Cheer Season August 1st – October, with post season continuing through mid-December.  Year-Round Cheer Season August 1st through May.

FOOTBALL (Qualifying Teams)

Conference Championship: End of October
Regional Championship: Beginning of November

POP WARNER SUPER BOWL(Camping World Stadium and Universal Orlando Resort): December

*Dates and Locations are subject to change.

CHEER (Qualifying Teams)

Peace River Conference Championship: October
Southeast Region Championship: November, Thanksgiving Weekend

POP WARNER NATIONAL CHEER & DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP (Camping World Stadium and Universal Orlando Resort): December

*Dates and Locations are subject to change.

When do we practice?

Practice Begins August 1

For the Month of August: Practices can be up to 5 nights a week Monday through Friday from 5:45-8:45pm, plus possible weekend practices.

After the first game and through the regular season: Practices are 3 nights a week.

**Please Note**
All family vacations need to be completed prior to August 1.
Pop Warner rules require a specific amount of conditions and practice hours be completed prior to participating in regular games. These requirements require all participants to be present on August 1.

When do we play?

Game Day is Saturday!

All teams play an 8-game schedule.
6U – 14U teams are also eligible for post-season playoffs.

Game Day usually kicks off with the youngest team playing first, and the oldest team completing the day.

Let’s GO SUN DEVILS!


Schedules are always subject to change.

**All participants arrive one hour or more prior to game time – home or away**

What are the mandatory play rules?

Pop Warner is one of the few youth leagues in the country which has enacted & ENFORCES a mandatory minimum play requirement for all players. The rule is listed here and is absolute.

The following are excerpts from the By-Laws regarding the Mandatory play rule.

1. Each team shall strictly follow the current National MPR.
2. Game officials will notify both Head coaches at the end of the third quarter of play, that any player who has not met the MPR should now be placed in the game.
3. Any player who has not met the MPR by the end of the 3rd quarter, according to the MPR sheet, MUST start the 4th quarter, regardless of whether that team is on Offense or Defense. These players shall remain in the game until they have met the MPR. The  MPR sheet shall be considered the FINAL WORD and may not be over-ruled by ANY coach or Commissioner.

The current National Pop Warner rule book states the following with regards to the MPR.

16-25 players    –    10 plays
26-30 players    –     8 plays
31-35 players    –     6 plays

The MPR is determined by the number of players eligible at the time of the game, and not based on the size of the roster.

Scholarship Opportunities

ELIGIBILITY

Income based with a variable fee scale. Determined with a financial matrix; the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Matrix along with Sarasota County School Board Free/Reduced Lunch Matrix. Scholarships are good for only one season. You must reapply each season.

All applications and financial information will be kept confidential.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Required Documents

  1. Copy of current income tax return
  2. Copy of two (2) consecutive pay stubs (or a letter from employer)
  3. Copy of SNAP, free lunch or Medicaid
  4. Proof of unemployment (if applicable)
  5. Completed Sun Devils scholarship application
Download Application

APPROVAL PROCESS

  • Submit all required documents 14 days prior to registration by email to: ssdtreasurer1@gmail.com
  • Reviewed by scholarship committee of 3 (Treasurer, President and Registrar)
  • Notify family of eligibility via email
  • You must bring a copy of the approval email to registration

SCHOLARSHIP LEVELS (using income matrix)

    Hardship: 100% scholarship (Lowest bracket along with letter of circumstances. Further documents may be required) Priority: 75% scholarship Standard: 50% Scholarship
Chain of Command

If there is a question or complaint against a player, a parent, a member of the coaching staff, an official, a member of the Board of Directors, or the Board of Directors, the complaint must be filed with the appropriate member in the Chain of Command.

The Chain of Command is as follows:

  • Head Coach
  • Football or Cheer Director
  • Association Vice President
  • Association President
  • Association Board of Directors
When do you contact Conference?

There are only three people from your Association who can contact Conference:

Your Association President, Athletic Director, and Cheer Director.

If you have an issue that you believe should come to the attention of Peace River Conference, please do this through one of your three Conference Representatives. If you have a complaint against the Association’s Board of Directors, then, and only then, may you submit a formal complaint in writing to the President of Peace River Conference.

AT NO TIME DO YOU EVER CALL A CONFERENCE OFFICER ON THE PHONE

How do I contact National Pop Warner?

National Pop Warner doesn’t hear complaints from anyone. If you have a complaint, please contact us directly using the button below.

Contact Us