Our 2024 Fall Tackle Football program is 11 vs 11 tackle football for 6-14U and 8 v 8 tackle football for 6U.  Tackle Football is played through FYD Pop Warner's Age-Based Divisions and is even ages. The Fall Tackle season begins with Summer Conditioning.


FOOTBALL DIVISIONS:
Division placement is based your athlete's age on July 31, 2024. All divisions are unlimited weight.
We will be EVEN AGES for Fall 2024!!

6U Tackle - ages 5-6 | Age-Based (8v8 tackle)
8U Tackle – ages 7-8 | Age-Based
10U Tackle –ages 9-10 | Age-Based
12U Tackle - ages 10-11-12 | Age-Based
14U Tackle - ages 12-13-14 | Age-Based


SCHEDULE & PROGRAM DETAILS:
The Fall Tackle season begins with summer conditioning in June through mid-July. The Fall Tackle season officially runs from August through November. Depending on team performance, post-season Regionals and Nationals take place in late-November/early-December.


*IMPORTANT DATES*

-  June 10th - Registration balances due in full.

-  June (Dates TBD)- Summer Conditioning Practice Begins

-  DATE TBD - Fall Equipment Distribution (Tackle Only) - This is MANDATORY!

-  August 1 - Tackle Season Begins

-  August 24 - Jamboree / Certification

-  August 31 - Game 1

FALL SEASON
All tackle teams practice Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:00pm-8:30pm until school begins. Then we will practice 3 days a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:00pm-8:00pm

Players are required to meet conditioning requirements (20hrs of fall practice) before they will be allowed to play any games/Jamboree.


GAMES:
-  Fall games begin in August and take place on Saturdays.
-  Kickoff times vary by division. Historically, games progress from our youngest team through 14U.
-  We typically have 5 games. Roughly half of these games will be played at our home fields in Holiday. Away games are played at opponent fields in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas or Manatee County.  There is a chance we may play one out-of-conference game.
*Full schedule will be posted upon release from FYD Pop Warner*

EQUIPMENT:
All necessary equipment, helmets and shoulder pads, are provided by the Bucs. Included in the cost of your registration is the use of certified Speed Flex football helmets, shoulder pads, and game-day uniform(s). This equipment will be fitted and issued to your athlete at the beginning of the season during Equipment Distribution and must be returned after the last game at Equipment Return.

IMPORTANT DATE!! TBD is Equipment Distribution.

Equipment Distribution is mandatory, so mark your calendars! 

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT FOOTBALL? Contact the Football Commissioner at [email protected]

Our 2024 Cheer program is recreational cheerleading that includes fundamentals, development, sideline and competitive cheer.  All experience levels are welcome!

Summer Conditioning focuses on technique, physical conditioning and learning sideline cheers. Start date TBD. 

Fall is the start of sideline cheer and competition season. Athletes will cheer at Saturday football games and begin learning competition choreography. We will be building for a full routine to perform at competitions in October/November/December.

CHEERLEADING DIVISIONS:
Team placement will be based on your athlete's age only. Our teams for competition will vary based the number of registered participants we have at each age/level. Team placement will be determined by the Cheer Director.

Pop Warner Age Divisions
Jr. Tiny Mites - ages 3-4
Tiny Mites - ages 5-6
Mitey-Mite - ages 7-8
Pee Wee - ages 9-10
Junior Varsity - ages 11-12-13

For registration purposes, you will register by your athlete's age on 7/31/2024.

SCHEDULE:
Summer Conditioning - June & July, exact dates TBD

Fall Season - August through early December
-- June 10th- Registration fees due in full.

-- Begins August 1st

-- Practices* (August): 4 days per week (Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs from 6:00-8:30pm)

-- Practices* (September through November): 3 days per week (Mon, Wed & Thurs from 6:00-8:00pm)

-- Makeup practices may be held on Tuesday or Friday if practice is rained out.

-- Sideline Cheer - Football games will be played on Saturdays starting August 24th through October

-- Competition Cheer - October through early December.

*Jr Tiny Mites (ages 3-4) will have a reduced schedule.

All practices are located at our home fields at J BEN HARRILL RECREATION CENTER in Holiday.

FALL SEASON
All cheer teams practice Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:00pm-8:30pm until school begins. Then we will practice 3 days a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:00pm-8:00pm

Players are required to meet conditioning requirements (20hrs of fall practice) before they will be allowed to cheer at any games/Jamboree.


SIDELINE CHEER- FOOTBALL GAMES:
Our Cheer program includes mandatory participation in sideline cheer at all football games. Football games are held on Saturdays and run from August through late-October/early-November. The Fall Football game schedule will be released in August.


COMPETITIONS:
-  Competition season runs from October through early December (season end will depend on team advancement).
-  ALL teams are competitive. 
-  Cheerleaders compete at local FYD/Pop Warner Cheer Jam competition with hopes of advancing to Regionals (Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando) and then moving on to Nationals in Orlando the first week of December.
-  YOU MUST BE AVAILABLE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND FOR POP WARNER REGIONALS.

*Disclaimer: Our Jr Tiny Mites will perform an exhibition routine at local Cheer Jam only*


QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT CHEER? Contact the Cheer Coordinator at [email protected]

Florida's rainy season runs from May through mid-October. This can and will impact our ability to hold practice. If practice is canceled due to rainout, a makeup practice will be scheduled. Pay attention to BAND for communication about if practice is delayed or canceled. DO NOT ASK US IF PRACTICE IS STILL ON! We are always monitoring the weather and will let you know. Again, this is Florida, it may be pouring at your house, but sunny at the fields.

FOOTBALL
We can and WILL practice in rain as long as there is no lightning in the area and the fields aren't overly saturated. Saturated fields aren't a safety issue, but we have to protect the integrity of our grass fields.

CHEER
Most cheer practices will be delayed/cancelled for heavy rain. It's unsafe to stunt, jump or tumble in super wet conditions.

LIGHTNING / SEVERE WEATHER
Parents, DO NOT DROP OFF your athlete if severe weather is in the forecast. 

If lightning is within 10 miles (we have a lightning detector), the practice/game will be suspended. Athletes will need to seek shelter in their parent's vehicle.

Coaches are responsible for having a head count of their kids for each practice.  When the FIRST sign of lightning strikes, you MUST head to your vehicle, but DO NOT LEAVE! We will assess timing and either wait it out or call practice. Check with league for this communication. This is for the safety of our coaches, players and parents.  If you decide to leave during a lightning delay, your athlete will be marked absent for practice and will count against their attendance.

The New Port Richey Buccaneers are fortunate to be one of the few organizations to have the exclusive field use agreement to a game field with all of the amenities that come with it.  With this, also comes responsibility.  We are responsible for the entire gameday experience for our families and our guests.  A contribution by the family of each athlete is needed to ensure our overall success.  We offer two ways for our families to meet this requirement:

1.  Every family is responsible for volunteering at least 10 hours to the organization per family prior to the completion of the season.  To ensure this occurs, each family will provide a $150 Volunteer Deposit Check which will only be cashed should the family fail to meet the required shifts.  Once the family has met this requirement, the check will be returned. Most banks provide three (3) free checks. Please communicate with our Treasurer if you are unable to obtain a check ([email protected]).

-OR-

2.  A buyout option where the family donates $150 and is not required to perform the contribution hours.

*Board Members, Coaches, and Team Parents are exempt from this requirement as long as they fulfill the duties of their title.*


We will have plenty of volunteer opportunities throughout the season to ensure all families may complete the required 10 hours.  These may include but are not limited to:

-  Participating in helmet drives 
-  Helping in concession during practices and games
-  Field preparation for home games
-  Preparing half-time snacks for athletes
-  Organizing and distributing uniforms
-  Car washes
-  Helping at the front gate during home games
-  Game Day set-up and break-down

The methods for tracking hours worked, collection, and return of deposit checks shall be coordinated by the Parent Representative.

FOOTBALL
Included with your registration fees is the use of a certified SpeedFlex football helmet and Rydell shoulder pads. This equipment will be fitted and issued to your athlete at the beginning of the season during Equipment Distribution and must be returned after the last game at Equipment Return. Game day jerseys and pants will also be distributed as included in your registration fee but are not required to be returned.

CHEERLEADING
Included with your registration fees is the use of our game day and competition cheerleading uniforms. These uniforms will be fitted and issued to your athlete at the beginning of the season during Equipment Distribution and must be returned after the last competition at Equipment Return. 

ALL ATHLETES
You must provide a $300 deposit check before any equipment/uniform is issued. NO EXCEPTIONS.  Your deposit check will be returned to you at the end of the season when you return the borrowed equipment/uniforms.

-  It is very important you attend to Equipment Distribution, so mark your calendars! Your athlete will NOT be fitted during practice time and is not allowed to practice without a helmet.

-  Fall Equipment Distribution date TBD

Anyone volunteering as a Board Member, Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Jr Coach or Team Parent interacting with players must complete the FYD Pop Warner volunteer training requirements. There is strict adherence to this process for the safety of all participants.

You must have a badge if you will be in direct contact with children or if you need access to the Practice or Game field.

Photo
Photos should be a square clear headshot and will be used for your badge. No glasses or hats. Email your photo to either the Football Commissioner or Cheer Coordinator, and make it your photo on Sports Connect. 

Background Check
Please only submit a background check after you've been approved for your role. After you submit your application, we will receive a notification after your background check clears, so you don't have to do anything more here.

**CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE YOUR BACKGROUND CHECK**


YCADA Cheer Certification
After you complete your training, email your certification to the Cheer Coordinator at [email protected].
https://shop.ycada.org/courses/y101pw2023


USA Football Certification
After you complete your training, email your certification to the Football Commissioner at [email protected].
https://usafootball.com/development-training/certification/

Southeast Region Pop Warner Training
Mandatory In-Person Football and Cheer Coaches Clinic: Saturday, July 20, 2024. Location TBD.

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HEAD COACHES
Must be 21 years old by the start of the official Fall season (August 1st)
Head Coaches can only be rostered on one team.

Registration Requirements
-- Photo
-- Background Check
-- Training: Southeast Region Pop Warner Certification
-- Training [Football]: USA Football Heads Up Football program (good for 1 year)
-- Training [Tiny-Mite/6U Football]: Southeast Region Pop Warner Tiny-Mite Training
-- Training [Cheer/Dance]: YCADA Coaches' Education and Testing PW 101 (good for 2 years)
-- Training [Cheer/Dance]: YCADA Coaches' Competitive Edge program (recommended, but not required)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ASSISTANT COACHES
Must be 18 years old by the start of the official Fall season (August 1st)

Registration Requirements
-- Photo
-- Background Check
-- Training: Southeast Region Pop Warner Certification
-- Training [Football]: USA Football Heads Up Football program (good for 1 year)
-- Training [Tiny-Mite/6U Football]: Southeast Region Pop Warner Tiny-Mite Training
-- Training [Cheer/Dance]: YCADA Coaches' Education and Testing PW 101 (good for 2 years)
-- Training [Cheer/Dance]: YCADA Coaches' Competitive Edge program (recommended, but not required)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COACH TRAINEE (aka Jr Coach)
16-17 years old by the start of the official Fall season (August 1st)

Qualifications (Applies to Cheer Only)
-- At least two seasons prior Cheer/Dance experience.
-- The oldest girl on the team assisting must be at least 2 years younger.
-- The Coach Trainer may be used to demonstrate moves, techniques and may teach words to cheers. He/she is not allowed to coach or conduct a practice.

Registration Requirements
-- Photo
-- Parent Consent Form
-- Physical (Medical/Physical Release Form)
-- Proof of Age (Driver's License, Passport or Birth Certificate)
-- Scholastic Eligibility (Report Card)
-- Training: Southeast Region Pop Warner Certification
-- Training [Football]: USA Football Heads Up Football program (good for 1 year)
-- Training [Cheer/Dance]: YCADA Coaches' Education and Testing PW 101 (good for 2 years)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

STUDENT DEMONSTRATOR (aka Student Coach) - Cheer Only
Must 15 years old or 14 if on a High School Cheer/Dance Team. Age determined on August 1st for the current Fall season.

Qualifications (Applies to Cheer Only)
-- At least two seasons prior Cheer/Dance experience.
-- The oldest girl on the team assisting must be at least 2 years younger.
-- The Coach Trainer may be used to demonstrate moves, techniques and may teach words to cheers. He/she is not allowed to coach or conduct a practice.
-- Rostered participant may not also be Student Demonstrator.

Registration Requirements
-- Photo
-- Parent Consent Form
-- Physical (Medical/Physical Release Form)
-- Proof of Age (Driver's License, Passport or Birth Certificate)
-- Scholastic Eligibility (Report Card)
-- Training: Southeast Region Pop Warner Certification
-- Training [Football]: USA Football Heads Up Football program (good for 1 year)
-- Training [Cheer/Dance]: YCADA Coaches' Education and Testing PW 101 (good for 2 years) 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TEAM PARENT
Registration Requirements
-- Photo
-- Background Check
-- Training: Southeast Region Pop Warner Team Parent Training
-- Training [Football]: USA Football Heads Up Football program (good for 1 year)
-- Training [Tiny-Mite/6U Football]: Southeast Region Pop Warner Tiny-Mite Training
-- Training [Cheer]: YCADA Coaches' Education and Testing PW 101 (good for 2 years)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TRAINER
If no dedicated trainer, each team must at least one coach has current Red Cross Certificate in Community CPR and First Aid (or equivalent) or the P.R.E.P.A.R.E Course by the National Center for Sport Safety (www.sportssafety.org)

Registration Requirements
-- Photo
-- Background Check
-- Training: Southeast Region Pop Warner Certification
-- Training [Football]: USA Football Heads Up Football program (good for 1 year)
-- Training [Cheer/Dance]: YCADA Coaches' Education and Testing PW 101 (good for 2 years)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BOARD MEMBER
Registration Requirements
-- Photo
-- Background Check
-- Training: FYD/Southeast Region Pop Warner Administrator Training (not required for all positions)