What to expect from becoming a Saratoga Pop Warner Cheerleader

Saratoga Pop Warner provides the opportunity for children ages 3-13 to participate in our cheerleading program. Our cheerleaders learn lifelong skills such as commitment, teamwork, dedication, and responsibility all while learning the sport of cheerleading. 

Cheerleading Teams and Ages: 

• Competition Cheer-The Competition Cheer season will run August 1st through March 30, 2025.  Cheerleaders are required to attend practice 4 days a week through Labor Day and then 3 practices a week from September-March, cheer at football games on either Saturday or Sunday from mid-September through mid-October and compete at qualifying competitions and winter competitions.  

• Junior Tiny Mites-Junior Tiny Mites is for children ages 3-4. The child must be 3 by August 1, 2023. Junior Tiny Mites will practice twice a week for 8 weeks and compete as an exhibition team at the Capital District Competition. 

• Depending on demand, the following teams may be available competition cheer.  On teams that have an age range, it is highly encouraged to go to the younger team unless the child has previous experience.  

  • Tiny Mite: Ages 5-7, must be 5 by July 31, 2023

  • Mighty Mite: Ages 7-9, must be 7 by July 31, 2023

  • Junior Pee Wee: Ages 9-11, must be 9 by July 31, 2023

  • Pee Wee: Ages 9-12, must be 9 by July 31, 2023

  • Junior Varsity: Ages 10-13, must be 10 by July 31, 2023 

Dates and Times:

• Competition Cheer: August 1 -March 30th

  • Monday-Thursday: Practice 6-8 pm 

  • After Labor Day days of week TBD: Practice 6-7:30 pm

  • Football games: Saturday or Sunday, Schedule TBA in September

• Junior Tiny Mites- August - October 

  • Day of week TBD Practice 6-7 pm through Labor Day

    
    

Location:

• August-Mid September: East Side Rec, Saratoga Springs

• Mid-September-February: TBD

Competition Schedule for Competition Teams only:  It is required that cheerleaders attend all competitions

• Capital District, Schenectady-October TBD

• Empires, Clifton Park-October TBD

• Eastern Regionals, Trenton, NJ- (if qualify at Capital District)-TBD

• Nationals, Orlando, Fl- (if qualify at Eastern Regionals)-early December  

• Winter Competitions (3-5 additional competitions)-locations and dates TBD 

What to Wear:

• Practice: Athletic clothing as appropriate 

• Games: To be determined by team’s coach

• Competitions: Uniform, Bow, Cheer sneakers and anything else requested by team’s coach

• Uniforms: Each child will be measured within the first two weeks of August and payment will be due at that time. All cheerleaders must attend!

Approximate Cheer Costs:

These are all estimated costs, which are subject to change with the best interest and safety of the children, parents, and the Saratoga Pop Warner organization in mind. 

Competition Cheer:

• Registration: $250 Due prior to season start

• Uniform Package $200   Due mid-end of August 

• Cheer sneakers $30-$80 can be purchased from any retailer at any time. Will need for practice, games and competitions.  

Cheer Competition Costs for Competition Teams only:  

• Capital District: No additional costs for cheerleaders, spectator tickets range from $20-$40, optional tee shirts for purchase at event: $20

• Empires: No additional costs for cheerleaders, spectator tickets range from $20-$40, optional tee shirts for purchase at event: $20

• Eastern Regional, if qualify personal travel accommodations (it is recommended all cheerleaders travel with their families the night before the competition and stay at the hotel blocked by their coaches, spectator tickets $20-$40, pictures on average $10-$20 per cheerleader, optional tee shirts for purchase at event $20  

• Nationals, if qualify: Pop Warner’s RERQUIRED travel package (includes hotel stay, spectator tickets, transportation from hotel to competition and two tickets to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure) ~$1,000/person, flights/travel costs, pictures on average $10-$20 per cheerleader, optional tee shirts for purchase at event $20  

• Winter Competitions-travel and spectator costs TBD

• Additional Required Deposit Checks: checks will not be cashed unless a task is not completed

• $50 check – Pom Pom deposit-to ensure pom poms are returned in the same condition received

• $100 check – Concession check-an adult from each family is required to work a shift in the concession stand or take on a different volunteer role.

• Two, $100 checks -Fundraising-there are two required, $100 fundraisers for the Saratoga Pop Warner Program

Competition Team Additional Fundraising Options:

There will be additional fundraising options for the competition team to assist with uniform and competition costs.  SSPW’ board will lead fundraising options, but it will be the option of each family to participate and in return receive funds from the fundraisers.  

Questions, comments, or concerns please contact your VP of Cheer:

Abbi Gailor at [email protected]