Q: My son has never played football before and my daughter has never participated in cheerleading.  Will they do OK?

A: Many boys and girls who sign up have no prior experience.  The coaches take this into consideration during the conditioning and initial instruction periods.  This is why it is so critical that your child attends every practice.

Q: What happens if our plans change - can we get a refund?

A: refunds will only be issued if the participant does not initially make weight (football only) or has a doctor’s note advising they are not physically fit to participate, no exceptions unless approved by the board.

Q: I don’t get home in time to drive my kids to practice. What can we do?

A: Many families carpool together.  Information on carpooling is available at the mandatory Parent Meeting.

Q: We want to carpool with our neighbor but their practice is at a different site. Why can’t the boys be on the same team?

A: For safety reasons, Pop Warner rules require that football players be assigned to the division that is most appropriate for their age and weight.

Q: Can my daughter and her friend be on the same cheerleading squad?

A: Although there is a 4-year age span qualification on most division squads, it is not always possible to guarantee a spot on the same team.  It will depend on their birth dates; Cheer Director and Head Coach Assignments, and available space.

Q: Whom do I talk to when I need information?

A: For specific information (i.e. times, dates and game sites) see your team parent. If you have questions about how your child is doing, talk to the head coach (the best time is right after practice ends).  For general information call the RV Patriots Hotline and leave a message for the appropriate Director.

Q: When does the RV Patriots season begin and end each season?

A: For the 2008 season, practice will begin on August 1st.  The regular season will begin the weekend of Saturday/Sunday September 9-10 running through the first Sunday November.  If a football team or cheer team qualifies for post season activities, the football games and cheer competitions at the Conference and Region level are held in late October through November. The National Pop Warner Super Bowl Football and Cheerleading Championships are held in early December in Florida.

Q: We are planning to be away for the month of August.  Is that a problem?”

A: Unfortunately, yes!  Pre-season practice is extremely important.  If your child will be unable to attend these practices, we would STRONGLY discourage participation.  Football is a complex game requiring solid fundamental skills as well as a high degree of teamwork and conditioning.  Players who do not attend these sessions will find it a challenge to catch up both mentally and physically.  In the past, this has caused many families to reconsider their summer vacation plans, so please think about this before you register your child.  While this may seem like a lot, it is extremely important for players to attend pre-season practices.

Q: When and where are practices?  When and where are the games played and what towns do we play against?
A: Throughout the month of August and up until Labor Day weekend, practices for football and cheerleading run five nights, Monday through Friday, with a maximum of 10 hours of practice each week. Practice times are generally 6 - 8 PM, but can differ depending on coach and age group.  After Labor Day, practices are limited to 6 hours per week and will be Monday Tuesday and Thursday nights. The practice field is at Mill Dam Park across from the Brainerd School

There are nine regular season games played on Saturdays and Sundays, beginning the weekend after Labor Day and running through the last Sunday in October.  Playoffs for all divisions, except Mitey-Mites begin the in late October or early November. 

RV Patriots participates in the Pop Warner of Burlington County in the Eastern Region.

Q: What equipment/uniforms are supplied and must the participant provide?

A: Each football player will be responsible for providing his/her own:

• Mouth Guard
• Shoes/Cleats (Molded/Non-detachable only)
• Protective Cup

RV Patriots will provide the following:

• Practice pants
• Helmet
• Shoulder Pads
• Practice Jersey
• Pads
• Game uniforms (home/away jerseys and game pants).

Q: My child isn't a great athlete... Will he/she get to play?

A: Pop Warner Football has a "Mandatory Play Rule" which stipulates the minimum number of plays that each team member must play in every game.   These minimum play requirements are determined by the number of players on the team:

These are the minimum play numbers.  In most cases, players will play more than the minimum play requirements