When does the season start?
August 1st
Does my child need specific skills?
NO! There are no try-outs and no specific skill requirements. Just bring your willingness to learn and work hard!
How often are practices?
Recreational level cheerleaders will practice one day a week on Saturdays or Sundays indoors at Showtime Elite Apex at 2161 E. Williams St., Apex.
Pop Warner cheerleaders will practice two or three times a week outside at our field off Perry Road in Apex and inside at Showtime Elite Apex or Redline Athletics.
EVERY Pop Warner competitive level participant must complete conditioning practice each week night for the first two weeks of the season from 6:00 – 8:00 pm outside at our practice field off Perry Road. After the conditioning period is complete, teams will hold twice weekly practices. Practices are determined by each team’s head coach. Competitive team practices could include weekends.
What are the age categories?
Recreation cheer teams are ages 4-14, birthdate any time during 2023.
Pop Warner cheerleaders are ages 8-11 based on the child’s age as of July 31st. There are NO exceptions.
What do the cheerleaders do other than practice?
Recreation program cheerleaders will participate in one competition Dec 2nd in Raleigh.
Pop Warner participants “cheer” on the sidelines at football games beginning on the last Saturday in August through mid-November. Cheer/dance teams are assigned to their corresponding football team by age and follow that team’s game schedule. Home games are at West Lake Middle School and away games include travel to any Pop Warner field in Wake, Durham and Johnston counties.
What do I have to pay for?
Registration fees are due upon registration. Cheerleaders need to purchase their own cheer shoes.
What does ASA provide?
All cheerleaders will receive a cheer uniform (top and skirt) to be returned in good condition at the end of the season.
Pop Warner cheerleaders will use poms provided by the coach at each game.
What extra items are provided by ASA?
Each cheerleader receives an ASA custom-designed practice t-shirt as well as competition bows. Athletes also receive a trophy at the end of the season.
**** Spirit wear for athletes and parents is on sale throughout the season.
If my child is on the Recreational team, does she perform at competition?
YES! All cheerleaders will participate in one competition at the end of the season - set for December 2nd in Raleigh. Participation in the competition is mandatory.
If my child is on a Pop Warner team, when and where are the competitions?
Local competition mostly likely will be held on a Sunday in mid to late October. Teams compete in their age division, skill level and team size against other teams within the league. If the team places 1st, 2nd or 3rd, they advance to the Regional competition held in Concord usually the Sunday before Thanksgiving. If the team places 1st or 2nd, they advance to the National competition at Universal in Florida the first week of December. Athletes are required to participate in all qualifying competitions. Please consider the time and financial commitment required to participate on a competitive-level team.
What is the cost if my child’s team advances to Pop Warner Nationals?
Congratulations, National competition is an honor and ASA teams have qualified for the past 17+ years straight! All qualifying participants need to travel to Florida and pay for an onsite Universal room package including 3 night minimum stay in the designated hotel with a three day park hopper pass. Each person on the reservation (anyone can come as long as they book with ASA) costs approximately $600 each for hotel and park passes which also includes admission to the Pop Warner private at Universal.
How do we fundraise?
All Pop Warner participants are encouraged to take part in the ASA program fundraising events to offset costs to run the program (uniforms, equipment, insurance, dues, administrative costs, etc.). ASA is a NON-PROFIT program providing a fantastic sports program for the youth in our area at a very reasonable cost.
Additional fundraising events including a business sponsor program are provided to allow competitive-level athletes an opportunity to raise funds to offset expenses if they qualify for travel competitions.
What are the volunteer requirements?
ALL Pop Warner participants are required to have a designated person volunteer for shifts at home games. A master schedule is distributed and volunteers are asked to sign up for at least 2 shifts (2 hours each) for the season. ASA is a 100% volunteer organization. EVERYONE from the coaches to association commissioners to league and region staff are all volunteers.