Tiger Beat Douglas Pop Warner Parent's Newsletter August 4, 2008

Practice

This first week is Conditioning Week. Contact or stunting is forbidden until a player/cheerleader has ten hours of conditioning practice. Any athlete that misses a practice this week will be required to complete the required ten hours before he/she can contact or stunt - no exceptions.

Practices before Labor Day shall be no more than 10 hours per week. Practice sessions are 2 hours per day, 5 days per week. After Labor Day there shall be no more than 6 hours total practice per week. Ten minute breaks after each hour of practice are mandatory and do not count against the total practice time for the day. Hot weather practice regulations mandate 15 minute breaks.

The specific practice times are set by your team coaching staff taking into consideration their work schedules, field availability, etc. They may start no earlier than 5:00 p.m. and must be off the field by 8:00.

During this warm weather make sure that your athlete drinks plenty of water before reporting to practice. Make sure it is water and not a soda or other sugar-based drink.

Be punctual when you drop off and pick up your child. Our coaches volunteer a lot of time and we do not expect them to sit around after practice waiting for parents. Our coaches are instructed to call the Sheriff’s Office if a child is not picked up immediately after practice. This is not just for our protection, but for your child’s well-being as well as this minimizes the opportunity for social transgressions - actual or contrived.

Team Selection

The teams were selected by the Board of Directors based on age and weight. There will be movement of players over the next few weeks as we watch weights and rosters fluctuate. We do not approve of “sweating down”, starving, or other extreme weight loss or gain methods. Weight loss or gain should be from working out and eating correctly. If your child is a weight concern you will be advised by your coach or a Board member. If you have questions contact your coach, Business Manager, Commissioner Biaggini, Mindy Miller, or Jim Valentine.

Tigerthon

Our primary fund-raiser is the Tigerthon. For every $100 your participant earns he/she will receive this year’s exceptional prize, a jacket with our new logo on the back. Don’t let your child miss out on this opportunity to own one, or more, of these fine, fine worthy Pop Warner symbols of accomplishment! Many of our athletes outfit their whole family with these wonderful Tiger spirit gear rewards! Football players that earn $500, or more, will not only earn FIVE prizes…they will be able to keep their game jersey at the end of the year!!! Cheer, too, has a special price for such exceptional performances.

It’s easy…here’s how it works: Every player/cheerleader will receive a Tigerthon envelope. Write his/her name and team on the envelope. Your child gets donations. Those that get enough donations will enjoy the coveted prizes!

Tigerthon envelopes will be distributed Tuesday, August 5th. Tigerthon envelopes and money will be collected on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Stodick snackbar area between 5:15 and 7:15 starting on Tuesday, August 12th. Don’t give it to your coach, or anybody else - take it to the snackbar area and give it only to the Tigerthon volunteers. Be sure to get a receipt for your money when you turn it in. All envelopes must be returned.

The Tigerthon is a way for DPW and the participants to both win, and we seriously need the funds in order to keep our registration costs down. Remember, folks, with a successful Tigerthon we can avoid candy sales, or other such onerous fund-raising activities. Get your donors lined out today!

Cuts

Involuntary cuts (excessive lap running for an individual, etc.) are prohibited in Pop Warner, however cuts are mandatory for the following: 1) Participants found to have signed up as a result of parental pressure or who tells team mgt. he/she does not really want to play/cheer, 2) Refuses or cannot furnish: Parental Consent, Physical, Proof of Age (birth cert.), Scholastic Fitness (report card), 3) One who attempts to intimidate fellow participants in practice by word and/or physical deed. 4) An extreme discipline problem. If a participant no longer shows up at practices or games of his/her own free-will it is considered a voluntary cut.

Tiger Beat

The Tiger Beat is the “official” publication of Douglas Pop Warner. Published once a week during the season, it will keep you, the parent, informed about Pop Warner happenings. It is given to the players/cheerleaders every Tuesday. Be sure to look for it - ask your child for it if they don’t give it to you on Tuesday. If it’s in the Beat we assume that you know about it. Be sure to read your Tiger Beat each week! You can find the latest Tiger Beat online at douglaspopwarner.com.
Helpful Hints

You are welcome and even encouraged to attend your child’s practice sessions. You may not, however, enter on the field and we ask that you don’t coach your child contrary to what is being taught on the field. If you have questions of, or suggestions for, your coaching staff, contact them after practice or on a break.

Ask a lot of questions - many parents around you have been involved for a long time – ask questions about the program, what is happening, what to expect. The sooner you get up to speed the more fun you’ll have.

Of course, there is no drinking of alcoholic beverages while you are watching practice sessions or games. Any violation of this policy will result in your being removed from the premises.

Thank you all for being so prompt and cooperative with your paperwork this year. We get a lot of pressure from Regional and National on this matter and your cooperation really helps.

If you have questions about what is going on, not going on, is going to happen, etc., call your coach or one of the following: Parent Advocate: Lisa Wetzel-782-8777, ext.254, or 781-5472 email carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com ; Commissioner: Mike Biaggini-782-6250, 265-2679, Cheer Coordinator: Cliff Brewer – 450-8153, or Jim Valentine 782-8777, ext.255, 781-3704.
http://www.douglaspopwarner.com

Thanks for your participation and cooperation!