The mission of the Pop Warner Challenger Division is to bring the Pop Warner experience to those special needs individuals.

Pop Warner’s overall goals are to enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment and by establishing a Challenger Division Pop Warner is providing an opportunity for everyone to participate on the sidelines cheering on the local football team or performing as a team before a Pop Warner audience.

Pop Warner objectives are to inspire our youth, regardless of race, creed, religion or national origin to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness as reflected in the life of the late Glenn Scobie “Pop” Warner. Pop Warner Strives to make the game fun for all boys and girls.

The program stresses learning lessons of value far beyond the playing or spirit days of those involved, such as; self-discipline, teamwork, concentration, friendship, leadership, and sportsmanship.  The philosophy of the Pop Warner Challenger Division is to provide the framework for local Pop Warner programs to offer a structured football, cheer and dance programs for participants with special needs.

The Challenger program is non-competitive and no score or score sheet is kept.  The games are modeled after a typical Pop Warner game with warm-ups, coin toss and national anthem etc. A Challenger Cheer or Dance team may also perform an exhibition performance in the Pop Warner Championships.  Participation in the Challenger Division is permitted at the request of the individual’s parent or guardian.

Challenger Division Structure

• Challenger Divisions may be formed in current existing Pop Warner Leagues.
• Challenger Leagues may be chartered if no current Pop Warner League exists.
  • Challenger Leagues must field complete standard Charter Application and submit required forms, boundaries, by-laws and Articles of Incorporation.

The modified Spirit rules of the Pop Warner Challenger Division

• The Challenger Division includes all children ages 5 to 18 with physical or mental disabilities who are currently enrolled in school.
• All participants including Coaching Staff and Helpers must be rostered.
  
  • Rostered Team Helpers are a minimum of 13 years of age, max 18 years of age, to assist participants.
• The Challenger Division follows Pop Warner Cheer & Dance Rules. Teams may roster in YCADA Show Cheer PW1, Pom Performance, Theme Dance or Hip Hop divisions following proper progression under direct supervision.
• YCADA routine guidelines recommend that Challenger Cheer Exhibition Performances’ be one minute thirty seconds. Performances may include Cheer and Dance.
• Teams are permitted to cheer for one football game per week.

For more information on starting a Challenger Spirit Team, please email [email protected].