Q:  What type of commitment is required from parents and participants?

A:  LAPW Football and Cheer is very different from other youth sports.  Practices are 4 times a week from August until Labor Day and last about 2 1/2 hours.  After Labor Day, practices will reduce to 3 times per week.  It is critical that your child participates in practices.  Missing practices can result in your child sitting out a game(s) or cheer competition(s).  It is also important for parents to donate time to each of their child’s team, be it working with the kid’s, fundraising, organizing events or bringing drinks or snacks. 

Q: How much volunteer time is expected for parents?

A: Parents are expected to volunteer for league and/or team activities for the duration of their teams's season, which inlcudes playoffs and bowl games.  Parents are also expected to assist during game days in the following: chain gang, field set up/take down, spotter duty, score board, video/picture taking.  Parents are also expected to help in running league assigned snack shacks for their team.

Q:  Are registration fees and fundraisers really mandatory?               

A:  YES, according to the California Corporations Code (Section 5311 & 5351) LAPW has the right to levy dues (Registration fees), assessments, and fees of it’s members.  If you do not find donors for fund raisers, you will automatically be assessed the amount expected to be raised.     

Q: Can I register after July 1st?

A: You can register after July 1st, however, there will be a $50.00 late fee assessed after July 1st.  Registration is encouraged prior to July 1st go give the league enough time to place particpants on teams and order the necessary equipment and uniforms prior to the first practice.           

Q:  What is LAPW refund policy?               

A: Pursuant to the California Corporations Code (Sections 5351 & 5340) once registration fees, charges, assessments, etc. are rendered to LAPW by a member; LAPW is under no legal obligation to provide a refund.  In general, LAPW has a policy of NO REFUNDS and you agree to the no refund policy when you sign up.  However, from time to time the Board of Directors does consider refunds under certain circumstances:      

Q:  How long is the season?

A:  The season begins at the beginning of August, and lasts until approx. mid-December (depending on when your team banquet is and if your team makes the playoffs).  The last regular season game is mid-November.                

Q:  Where can I find the rules governing LAPW?               

A: Almost all the rules can be found in your “team book”.  This must be on the field at every practice and game.  They include the LAPW By-laws, LAPW Policies & Procedures, OEC rules, and Pop Warner National rules.  Although probably not in the “team book”, the CIF Football rulebook is also utilized for game situations.                

Q:  Are their any events on Sundays? 

A:  Yes, but games are not scheduled for Sunday’s!  There is usually an OEC cheer competition scheduled on a Sunday in October.  It is mandatory for both the players and cheerleaders to attend this competition.  Also our picture day is usually scheduled on a Sunday.     

Q: How many games will be played?

A: 10 games for tackle and 8 games for flag.  Additional games will be played if the team makes playoffs (for Jr. Pee Wee level and above).           

Q: When are practices?               

A: In the month of August practices are 4 days per week for 2 ½ hours.  After Labor Day practices are three times per week depending on your team’s schedule.  The Head Coach will determine what days practices will fall on.  Cheer teams practice the same days and hours as their assigned football teams.                 

Q:  Why do I need to give LAPW my child’s report card?               

A: It is a Pop Warner national rule that each child provides proof of scholastic fitness.  Lack of such proof renders the participant ineligible for post-season games or cheer competition.  Further, this allows each child to participate in the scholastic portion of Pop Warner’s program.  Those eligible are asked to participate in regional and national awards ceremonies.  Additionally, national guidelines allow LAPW to decline an application or expel a member if a report card is not provided.                

Q: Where are practices and games held?

A:  Practices until Labor Day and all Home football games will be held at Los Alamitos High School.  All other practices will be held at different parks and schools throughout Los Alamitos, Rossmoor and Seal Beach.  Away games will vary by location.  Our conference (Orange Empire Conference) covers Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

Q: Can I request a certain Coach or Team?

A: No requests will be accepted for teams or coaches.  Players are placed on teams based on Pop Warner established weight and age requirements.

Q:  Will there be any expenses outside of the sign up and fundraising fee?

A:  Yes!  It is expected that each cheerleader purchase their own uniforms and the cost can be as much as $100. Football players are required to purchase an athletic supporter, but many participants also purchase cleats, and extra pads.  The league requires that every team host an end of the year banquet that can cost as much as $25 per attendee.  This cost can be reduced or eliminated depending on your teams fundraising efforts.  

Q:  Does a parent need to be at every team practice, game and team function?

A:  All flag football participants require that a parent be present at every team activity your child is present at.  Players and Cheerleaders in the Mighty Mite division and above only require that the parent gets the child to team events on time and picks them up at the end of each event.

Q: Who do I contact if I have a question?

A: You can contact a board member by going to the Contact Us tab on the website.  Click on the email address for a specific board member or go to the Miscellaneous tab and click on the registration email address.  Someone will respond back in a timely manner.