In an effort to help both new and returning Poway Pop Warner families better understand the Poway Pop Warner program, we have published the following “most” frequently asked questions.

Q: How are Head Coaches selected?
A: The following process is used to select Head Coaches:

1. In the latter portion of our season, Coaching surveys are sent out to all parents (as a Constant Contact email). The Board reads all the surveys, including ratings and comments.
2. The curent Board reviews all other known factors such as: Parental emails sent directly to the Board, Board-observed incidents/issues, and any Conference emails/phone calls received pertaining to any specific Head Coach.
Please note that NO third-party “hear-say” information/testimony is considered in the Board’s Head Coach selection process.
3. The Board then reviews how well the coach interacted with the Board and that Head Coach’s support of all Board decisions.
4. Next, the Board reviews any past problems/issues with any Head Coach to determine if those problems/issues have been resolved/improved.
5. Lastly, if a Head Coach applicant is required to interview, all interview results are reviewed and evaluated by the Board.

Note: Keep in mind that while a winning record is nice to have, team records do not play a part in the Head Coach selection process.

Please note: It is VERY important that all players and cheerleaders (with help from their parents) complete the Coaches Survey when it is received. All ratings and comments should be made ONLY by participants, not by parents.

Q: When does the football and cheer season begin and end?
A: For 2012, practice will begin on or about Aug 1 (the first Monday of the month). The first (pre-season) game is generally on the first Saturday after Labor Day. Regular season games begin the next week and run for 10 consecutive weeks. Flag seasons end in late October as Flag participants play 8 games. Tackle Football teams and cheer squads that qualify for bowl games, regional championships or cheer competitions may be acetic through early December if they reach the National Championship level.

Q: Before practice starts, how will I know what’s going on and what I have to do next?
A: The next events that will happen after registration are: 1) “Parent Night” – this meeting (for 1 parent only, no players or cheerleaders) will be hosted by the PPW Board. You will learn a lot more about our program and meet your Board of Directors and Head Coaches. 2) “Team Meeting” – After teams are formed, your Head Coach will host a TEAM MEETING for parents and players/cheerleaders. Separate meetings will be held for players and cheerleaders. At this very important meeting, you will officially meet your entire team staff. Your Head Coach will preview his or her team rules, goals, and coaching philosophy, review “WHAT TO EXPECT” in terms of individual and team discipline, the procedure for handling any issues and concerns you may have, and answer any and all questions regarding the upcoming season. This meeting is “MANDATORY” for all parents, players, and cheerleaders. A Board member will also be present to answer any additional questions.

You should check our website, www.powaypopwarner.org, regularly for the latest information, especially after the season begins.
Also, on this website’s Homepage, please “SIGN-UP” using your best email address to receive regular important updates and Poway Pop Warner newsletters through our “Constant Contact” email program.

Q: How often are games and practices? What is the time commitment per week?
A: Until Labor Day, tackle football and cheer squads will practice five days per week up to a maximum of 2.5 hours per day including break and team business time. Flag football and cheer will practice 1.5 hours / 3 days per week. After Labor Day, tackle and cheer teams practice 3 days per week while Flag practices 2 days per week. All games are played on Saturdays at various times and locations throughout North County Coastal and inland communities. Home games are played at Poway High and possibly Twin Peaks (Flag). It is essential that vacations and other events are scheduled around football and cheer. If participants miss more than 7 consecutive days of practice, we are required to drop them from the team to which they have been assigned.

Q: Are there activities on Sunday?
A: Poway Pop Warner tries to limit Sunday activities to Registrations, Equipment issue and “Picture Day”. We must use Sundays due to facility availability and to ensure that the most kids can participate due to other sports activities on Saturday.

Q: Where are the practices held?
A: Practice locations will all be City fields in Poway or Poway Unified School District and specific times and locations will be provided by your Head Coach just as soon as they have been finalized. Your Head Coach will also provide this information to all families at his or her TEAM meeting.

Q: What qualifications or certifications are Head Coaches required to have?
A: All Head Coaches, staff and Board Members MUST pass a thorough background check. The Head Coach and one additional staff member MUST be certified in First Aid/CPR. In addition, they must be certified as football or Cheer Head Coaches by attending mandatory Palomar Conference coaching clinics or be certified by taking on-line courses. Each Head Coach is responsible for interviewing his or her staff. All Head Coaches, their staff, and Board Members are volunteers in our non-profit organization and receive no financial or any other form of compensation for their valuable and time-consuming service.

Q: What does my child get for the registration fee?
A: Your registration fee includes: A SPORTS PHYSICAL (a $25 value if registered at one of our first 3 advertised registration dates, A STANDARD PHOTO PACKAGE, an END OF YEAR PARTICIPATION TROPHY/AWARD, and all players get to keep their game jersey, girdle and mouthpiece. Cheerleaders (because they are paying for their uniforms beginning in 2010) will keep everything. In subsequent years, they can sell or trade with other cheerleaders in Poway to keep their uniforms fitting properly but at a reduced cost.

Q: How much will my child play in football and what position will he play?
A: Decisions about playing time and positions are made by the coaches of the team, and are the final responsibility of the Head Coach. National Pop Warner rules require (the Minimum Play Rule or MPR) that players who attend all scheduled practices will play at least 8 to 12 plays in a game (most games include 40-60 plays). Coaches will make playing time and position assignment decisions based on hard work, practice attendance, experience, demonstrated skills at assigned positions, game performance and concern for player safety. Keep in mind that all teams at all levels want to win games and no coach wants to put a player in an unfair situation where he has little change of succeeding. First time players should expect less playing time than returning, experienced players until they gain confidence and demonstrate their abilities to their Head Coach. Head Coaches are encouraged to carefully evaluate players on a week to week basis and there are many imps when a first year player, over time will gain more playing time based on improvement shown.

Q: What is the “REFUND POLICY” in Poway Pop Warner?
A: All requests for refunds must be in writing to the Board. Refunds shall be made (or not made) in strict accordance with the REFUND POLICY as written in the Poway Pop Warner Policies & Procedures which can be found by selecting ADMIN PAGE on this website.

Q: How can my team raise money for travel or the end of season team party?
A: By collecting TEAM SPONSORSHIPS or by TEAM FUNDRAISING in strict accordance with the Poway Pop Warner Policies & Procedures which can be found by selecting the ADMIN PAGE of this website.

Q: What is the “Player/Cheerleader Still Photo & Video Release” clause I read on one of the required registration forms?
A: You are giving permission to Poway Pop Warner to take and publish images of your son/daughter in local newspapers, team highlight videos, and on our own website for the sole purpose of promoting both local and regional participation in Pop Warner and to recognize outstanding academic and team achievement.

Q: What is the “Dispute Resolution” clause I read on one of the required registration forms?
A: You are agreeing to follow the following procedure should you have any issues, concerns, or problems with any team staff member:

1. Bring the dispute directly to the attention of the Head Coach for resolution (away from participants, and never interrupting practice).
2. If not resolved, you will bring the matter to the attention of Poway Pop Warners football or cheer “Coaches Representative” for resolution. Your Head Coach will provide full contact information.
3. If still not resolved, the coaches representative will bring the matter to the full board for final and binding resolution.

Q: If my son or daughter is injured during a practice or game, does Pop Warner insurance pay for any required medical care?
A: Pop Warner medical insurance is secondary to all other family medical insurance.

We hope that by reviewing the above “Frequently Asked Questions” you have gained a better understanding of one of the greatest programs in San Diego…Poway Pop Warner!

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thank you,
Your 2012 PPW Board of Directors