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posted 04/17/2009 2009 Registration Remains Open to all Players!
Hello AB Pop Warner Parents!
Registration will remain open until the season begins on August 3, 2009. Please click on the "Click here to Register" button on the left.
The registration fees for AB Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading can be found by clicking the "2009 Fees" button on the left.
Start Date: Our first official practice will be Monday, August 3rd. I know there has been a lot of discussion among our BOD and our Pop Warner parents about starting on this date. Allow me to address this topic and the thought process that went into our decision.
This is a unique year in regards to when Labor Day falls (Sept. 7) and when school starts (Sept. 1). Because Labor Day is so late, our official Pop Warner weigh-in will be on Saturday, September 12 and our first game will be Sunday September 13. If you count backwards, that means starting on August 3rd will give us one extra week to prepare the children for the season ahead.
The pros and cons of this start date were debated for a very long period at our most recent BOD meeting. Ultimately, the pros of starting on August 3rd won out for a variety of reasons.
First and foremost, starting on 8/3 allows us to finish our 4 nights per week schedule the week before school starts. Therefore, we can begin practicing 3 nights a week during the first week of school (which we felt would be more important than giving everyone an extra week of summer by starting on 8/10). Ultimately, it will be the head coach of each team that decides what nights they will practice starting the week of 8/31, but they can do so without having to practice 4 nights that week.
Second, starting earlier gives us some flexibility in regards to weather cancellations. You may remember that we had some dicey practices last year dodging thunderstorms and rain-soaked fields. The extra week allows us the possibility to move or cancel a practice without losing valuable preseason preparation.
Third, starting on 8/3 will keep us in line with the start date of the towns that we compete against. This will provide us an opportunity to either schedule a third scrimmage with another town or provides us more time in between scrimmages to better prepare the players.
Lastly, by starting on 8/3, we will be sharing the field with the varsity, junior varsity and freshman football players of ABRHS as they begin their "captain's practices." Our program has a rich tradition of players that started in AB Pop Warner and gone on to play football for the ABRHS Colonials. What better way to galvanize that tradition than having all AB football players, from the 7 year-old Mites to the 18 year-old seniors, on the same field preparing for the season! (For our newer parents, don't worry, the HS players will be working out among themselves, not with our little guys!)
One last note. While this start date may seem early to some, it really is not much earlier than prior years. Over the past few seasons, we have started on the first Monday of August. This year is no different. The only difference is Labor Day. As I said earlier, a lot of time, thought and debate went into this decision and we hope you see the benefit of starting on 8/3.
If you strongly disagree, you may contact me or any of the BOD members, but we will not have much more to add to the conversation than what I wrote above.
Preseason Attendance: It's my annual comment about this topic. Each year, the organization makes it clear how important it is that all participants, both football and cheering, commit themselves to the preseason practices in August (you can find the full guidelines on all forms of registration and on the website). I have sent numerous emails over the years talking about the safety concerns and how missing time affects the well-being of the player’s development and the team’s development. Over the past few years, 99% of our families make that commitment. 1% does not. If you end up being in that 1%, you are adversely affecting the other 99% of the families that made the commitment. In simple terms, it's just not fair to the other kids, coaches or parents. We will continue to appeal to your good sense of judgment and fairness to make the right choice. Please consider carefully if you can make this commitment to your teammates, their families and your coaches. If you can not, please do not register for AB Pop Warner. As always, I would be happy to discuss this with you.
That's about it for now. Hope you made it this far. Feel free to contact me, Ann-Marie or any of the BOD members if you have questions.
We are...AB!
Gerry McGavick
ABPW President
