Unraveling the Weight-Based Divisions in Pop Warner Football
Pop Warner Tackle Football Emphasizes Youth Sports and Scholastic Achievement
Pop Warner, a non-profit sports organization founded in 1929, offers football, cheerleading, and dancing programs for youngsters aged 5 to 16. The organization is dedicated to helping youngsters become responsible adults through sports, team spirit, and leadership development.
Pop Warner's tackle football program prioritizes safety in youth sports. To ensure a safe and competitive environment, the program employs a comprehensive age and weight matrix. This matrix divides the players into nine tackle football divisions based on age and weight: Tiny-Mite, Mitey-Mite, Junior Peewee, Peewee, Junior Midget, Midget, Junior Bantam, Unlimited, and Bantam.
The Tiny-Mite division is for children aged 5, 6, and 7 (35-75 lbs.). The Mitey-Mite division, for children aged 7, 8, and 9 (45-90 lbs.), is the first division where weight limits apply. The Junior Peewee division is for children aged 8, 9, and 10 (60-105 lbs.), with 11-year-olds allowed in (60-85 lbs.). The Peewee division is for children aged 9, 10, and 11 (75-120 lbs.), with 12-year-olds allowed in (75-100 lbs.).
The Junior Midget division is for children aged 10, 11, and 12 (85-135 lbs.), with 13-year-olds allowed in (85-115 lbs.). The Midget division is for children aged 11, 12, 13, and 14 (105-160 lbs.), with 15-year-olds allowed in (105-140 lbs.). The Junior Bantam division is for children aged 12, 13, and 14 (105-160 lbs.), with 15-year-olds allowed in (105-140 lbs.).
The Unlimited division, also known as the Scholastic Football, is for high school players. The Bantam division is for children aged 13, 14, and 15 (105-160 lbs.).
Pop Warner establishes a player's age for the season as "his or her age as of July 31st." After the second game in the season, a player is allowed to gain up to a pound a week to a maximum of nine pounds total for the year. This provision allows for natural growth while maintaining a safe and balanced competition.
Pop Warner's football program emphasizes youth sports and scholastic achievement. The organization believes in developing strong minds and bodies by placing equal emphasis on sports and academics. This approach ensures that the young athletes not only excel in their sport but also in their studies, preparing them for a successful future.
References:
[1] Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (2021). Pop Warner Rulebook
[2] Mount Pleasant Pop Warner (2021). Weight and Age Classifications
[5] USA Football (2021). Heads Up Football
Football, being one of the sports offered by Pop Warner, is a significant aspect of the organization's programs for youngsters aged 5 to 16. Pop Warner's football program underscores the importance of youth sports while also encouraging scholastic achievement, focusing on the development of strong minds and bodies to prepare young athletes for a successful future.
