Cost:
The cost for registration is $95.00 for the first child, $75.00 for the second child and $55.00 for every additional child. In addition, there is a $50.00 Fundraising deposit per child.
Required Paperwork:
Pop Warner has specific paperwork
requirements that must be met. This
is to ensure each child is playing on
the proper level of play and that all
standards of National, Regional and
Local Pop Warner are met. We are
required to obtain the following from
you the parent; your cooperation is
anticipated and appreciated in
accomplish the paperwork
Physicians Statement:
All players are required to have either
a recent physical or a statement from
a doctor saying that the child is fit to participate in our program. The
doctors statement may be lengthy or
can simply state that this child is fit to
participate in football, cheer or dance.
The statement or physical must be
dated no earlier than January 1st. As
in the past, the Cicero Falcons will
attempt to secure the services for a
doctor to conduct physicals just prior
to the start of the program. We will
inform all registered players by mail
of the date the physicals will be held.
Parents are free, however, to choose
the Falcons supplied physical or their
own doctor. Please keep in mind the
Falcons supplied physical is a one
-time opportunity. Note: Players Will NOT be allowed to
practice without a valid Physical or
statement from a physician.
Click to download form
Proof of age:
All players are required to submit proof of age. The document must include the specific date of birth of the athlete. The following documents are accepted: Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, Official School Document, Statement from the child's doctor or a passport. Please provide copies only. No original documents will be accepted.
Player Contract:
The player contract is the parents or guardians permission for the child to participate with the Cicero Falcons. The contract is very important and without it the player may not be certified to participate.
Photograph:
Pop Warner requires a recent photo of the child. New photographs are required of all players, even if the child participated last season. The photo should be approx. 1.5"x1.5" in size and have the child's name printed on the reverse side.
Scholastic Fitness form:
Player need to document their scholastic fitness to participate. Players will be required to submit copies of their report cards as documentation. Additional scholastic forms may also be required for participation.
Cheerleading & Dance:
Many parents are surprised at the amount of time and effort that the girls put into the dance and cheerleading programs. Our girls put forth as much energy and practice time as our football players do theirs. The Cicero Falcons have invested greatly into the Cheerleading and dance programs. We have purchased quality uniforms for the teams and have secured indoor facilities for practice. Returning cheerleaders and members of the dance team can attest to the time and effort that they put into the program and to the rewards that hard work and practice bring.
In general, we place girls into teams based on a variety of criteria; age,
experience, size, school grade and other factors. The Falcons reserve the right to place the child on the level that best fits the need of the association. Cheerleaders and dancers conform to the same age scale as the football teams. Both cheerleading and dance programs have the same paperwork requirements as the football players.
Attending practice is quite important. Girls are required to
attend practice and put forth a reasonable effort. Failure to
attend practice can result in removal from the squad. It does
take time to mold the girls from an individual into a sharp
cheerleading squad and or polished dance squad. Parents are
asked to take an honest approach in consideration of the time
demands placed upon their child when engaged in more than one
youth program. Practices are generally held the same nights as
football practice at Central Park on Rt. 31. Your coach will
give you more information after the first few days of practice.
However practice times do change; your coach will keep you informed. With the higher teams using rented facilities, there will be some changes in practice times and additional fund raising requirements to offset the rental costs. Should you have any questions please contact your coach.
Levels of Play:
Football, Cheerleading & Dance:
The Falcons offer a full program of Pop Warner; starting with the Flag football for children as young as 5 years to the Midget program for youths up to age 15.
Division Ages Permitted:
Tiny Mite: 5-7 years
Mitey Mite - 7,8-9 years*
Jr. Pee Wee - 8-11 years*
Pee Wee - 9-12 years*
Jr. Midget - 10-13 years*
Midget - 11-15 years*
* These divisions also have weight restrictions for football teams. See the football page for more information.
Practice:
Practice begins Aug. 1st at 6:00 pm for: Mitey Mite, Jr. Pee Wee, Jr. Midget, and Midget. Be there early!
Note: Remember these dates, you will not be notified of the start of
practices! As we said, practice is very important. Despite the young ages of the players, there is a great deal to learn and master. Football is a complex game; the skills of the game come only with practice and repetition. This is why from early August through Labor day we practice 4 nights a week. After Labor Day practices are reduced to 3 nights per week. The Mitey Mite and Flag teams do not have such a heavy practice schedule. Each Football & Cheerleading coach will establish his or her own rules for attendance. We have found in the past that these have been fair and fairly exercised.
Coaching:
The Cicero Falcons are very fortunate to have one of the most experienced coaching staffs in CNY Pop Warner. Some coaches have over 10 years experience in Pop Warner football. This experience has paid off well for the Falcons. Each year our teams do well in the playoffs. Some even make it to the BIG Championship game and/or excel in Regional play. However parents play a big part in our coaching staffs and there is always room for another helping hand, YOU, just step forward.
Board of Directors:
Our Board of Directors are elected every December by a direct vote of the membership. Dates for elections are announced at our annual Banquet. If you are interested as to who comprises the Board, check with Bill Golembieski for details.
Fund Raising:
The Cicero Falcons budget is derived completely from money we raise. We receive no operational funds from the Town or from the School District. We need your cooperation and support. With an operating budget in the tens-of-thousands of dollars, along with equipment and insurance costs rising every year our program cannot be successful without solid parental support. Your coach will keep you informed of what fund raising is scheduled. A great number of improvements the Falcons have made in our facility, as many parents involved in the community will note. These improvements have not been without great ex pence and are expensive to maintain. Active participation in the fund raising efforts of the Cicero Falcons is a condition of participation for all players.
Equipment:
All football equipment and cheerleading uniforms are supplied by the Cicero Falcons except the following:
Football shoes, Athletic protector (cup) and girdles.
Cheerleading & Dance shoes, turtleneck shirt and spankies.
These items can be found at any Sporting Goods stores. Be sure to ask for football shoes. Cheer & Dance members should talk to their coach as to the specific footwear being used for the current season. Parents whose children do not return the equipment at the conclusion of the season will be billed for full replacement cost of that equipment.
Parental Role:
The most important part of the Cicero Falcons is YOU the parent Our program is only possible with your cooperation and support. Without you we can not play a game, cheer a cheer or raise a dime. We do need your support and do appreciate it. Make this a special time with your child, step forward and become an active part of his or her Pop Warner years. Those of us who have been around for a few years can attest to the rewards that Pop Warner gives.
An excuse many parents have is "I would have helped, but no one asked."
Well, we are asking NOW!!! Offer your assistance and take part in what we think is the best Pop Warner Football Association in the State.
The Season:
Starting dates for this season are announced in this packet. You will be busy from the first practice with paperwork requirements, early fundraising events and plenty of watching your child practice. The start of pre-season games will be mid August and the regular season will start just after Labor Day. We expect to have half our games at our Cicero Complex and the balance on the road. It's going to be an exciting season that we hope you will be an active part in.
For teams above the Mitey Mite level, we can hope to see post-season play. All teams that qualify will most likely take part in State and Regional Championships and/or some travel Bowl Game. These are opportunities for both football and cheerleading teams! Please note: Generally registration fees are non-refundable.
All teams will end the season with an awards ceremony. Coaches are required to collect all equipment issued. Parents sign for the equipment in their player contract. Any and all equipment that is not returned will be billed to the parent.
Message from the President:
Dear Parents,
It's a great pleasure to serve as President of the Cicero Falcons. It's also a big challenge, attempting to manage and direct such a big organization, with so many children. This year I have a great Board of Directors to assist me in this challenge and I believe that we have put together one of the best staffs of coaches in years. We have experienced people in all key positions that I'm sure I can call upon.
I have been involved in Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading for over
35 years. I've seen many teams and groups both prosper and fail. The biggest difference between success and failure is the amount of parental support and involvement. Those associations that have little or no involvement from their parents are doomed to failure both on and off the game field as well as a failure in providing a quality program to the children they pretended to serve.
It's the parents that make the difference!
This season make a promise to yourself, and more importantly, to your child that you will be as involved as you can be, and that you will do everything you can to make the Cicero Falcons the very best Pop Warner program that you can.
Where can you help? Just to give you a short list. Our refreshment stand is staffed with parents just like you. A few hours during the week and maybe at game times will be a huge aid. These dedicated workers would love some relief so that they could watch their child practice. Your coach has a host of jobs for parents that go unfilled every year, ask him or her what you can do. Finally, I know I have jobs that need to be done an I'm always open to new ideas for making things better.
We need to remember that we are all here to provide a great program to the children and that we go about things differently. We all approach the problem from a different perspective. If we do differ on a subject, we need to resolve those issues on an adult level. Working together and solving problems, I'm sure this will be the best season in Falcon history!
|
