Pop Warner Youth Football League
The YMCA is home to the nation’s largest youth football program. Here in northern Michigan, the growth has been phenomenal, as we now have close to 90 football teams, 30 cheer squads, over 200 coaches and over 2000 participants. Thirty different cities throughout northern Michigan now participate. It just keeps growing and growing each year!The objectives were very simple when forming this league – to provide a safe, positive, and enjoyable introduction to youth tackle football. We wanted to teach the fundamental skills and strategies, all while keeping it as simple as possible, and instilling good values.
The YMCA Pop Warner Football program currently offers two divisions in which a child can compete. The Junior Peewee Division is aimed at ages 8-10 with a weight between 60-105 pounds. 11-year-olds may participate in this division if they weigh no more than 85 pounds. The Junior Midget Division is aimed at ages 10-12 with a weight between 85-135 pounds. 13-year-olds may play, but may not weigh more than 115 pounds. August 1st is the cutoff date when determining a player’s age for the playing season.
The season parallels the high school season and runs from August to October, with each team playing 7 games, all on Saturdays. Practices are held throughout the week before the season begins and again on weekdays before playing on Saturdays. The league has a travel format and was designed to mimic the “high school” game experience, with teams travelling to other cities to participate in big game day festivities.
The 30 cities presently offering this program are Bellaire, Benzie, Boyne City, Cadillac, Central Lake, Charlevoix, East Jordan, Elk Rapids, Evart, Forest Area, Frankfort, Glen Lake, Harbor Springs, Kalkaska, Kingsley, Lake City, Ludington, Mancelona, Manistee, Manton, Marion, McBain, Mesick, Onekama, Pellston, Petoskey, Pine River, Scottville, Suttons Bay, and Traverse City. The administrative body for all of these cities is the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA in Traverse City.
A cheer program is offered in many of these cities, as well. Each week at the games, you will see large numbers of cheerleaders on the sidelines rooting for their teams.
If you have any questions, please contact Laura Emery at 330-5244, or go to www.ymcafootball.com.
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Please call Laura Emery at 330-5244, or go to www.ymcafootball.com.