Fall 2025 Rio Rancho Pop Warner Football & Cheer Information

About Us

Rio Rancho Pop Warner is a competitive youth football and cheer organization based in Rio Rancho, NM. We are committed to developing young athletes through discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Our program blends athletic training with structure, character-building, and a strong sense of community.

Will There Be Travel Involved?

Travel is at the discretion of each coach.
As a competitive program, we believe that playing teams outside the metro area is essential to player development. Most coaches choose to travel for select games.
Past travel locations include:

• El Paso, TX

• Colorado Springs, CO

• Phoenix, AZ

What Ages Do You Offer?

• Football: Ages 8–14

• Tackle Football for Ages 5–7 is available if a dedicated coach is secured

• Cheerleading: Ages 5–14, contingent on coach availability

How Do I Register?

Registration is completed online via SportsConnect.

Required Paperwork (Ages 5 & Up):

• Copy of Original Birth Certificate (new participants only)

• 2025 Pop Warner Medical Form (must be dated 2025)
  Click Here to Download Medical Form

• 2025 Pop Warner Participant Contract
  Click Here to Download Participant Contract

• Recent Wallet-Size Photo

• Profile Photo uploaded to the SportsConnect profile

• Copy of 2025–26 Final Report Card
  (Print as soon as available. Genesis will be offline shortly after school ends.)

Note: Paperwork will be collected by team moms in July, prior to the start of practice.

What Does My Child Get With Registration? Why Is Football & Cheer So Expensive?

Registration includes:

• Game Day Football Uniform (2 jerseys, 1 integrated pant, helmet decals)

• Cheer Uniform (for cheer participants)

• Practice and game field access

• Certified coaching staff and league insurance

• Game officials and EMTs

• Conference fees, trophies, awards, and end-of-season banquets

Program costs:
On average, it costs $350 per child to run football and cheer per season. Registration fees cover only part of that cost. We rely on fundraising and community support to bridge the gap.

Families are responsible for:

• Helmet (certified within the last 2 years)

• Shoulder pads

• Cleats

• Mouthpiece

• Practice gear

• Additional cheer gear as applicable

Team & Squad Placement

• Football: Drafts and placement occur after registration closes. Coaches will contact families via email or phone. Expect contact by the weekend before practice begins.

• Cheer: Placement and communication will follow a similar timeline.

Practice Information

Football

• Begins July 15, 2025

• Preseason: Up to 5 nights/week, 2 hours per night (max 10 hours/week)

• Saturday practices may be scheduled before games begin

• Once the season starts: limited to 6 hours/week

• Attendance is expected at all practices

• Practice days and locations are at the coach’s discretion

• Primary location: Harrisburg Park; additional sites may be used

Cheer

• Begins July 15, 2025

• Typically 2 nights/week, 1.5–2 hours

• Saturday practices may be added for the first 4–6 weeks

• Locations: Harrisburg Park or Stallings Park

Game Information

• Games may begin August 23, 2025

• Typically held on Saturdays, but weeknight or Sunday games are possible

• Regular season runs through late October

• Regional play begins in early November

Game schedules are released by Pop Warner, usually the Monday before each game.
Board members attempt to provide earlier notice, but scheduling often depends on out-of-state travel and coordination.

Coaches and/or team moms will distribute final schedules when available.

Regionals & Nationals Information

Regional Participation:

• Rio Rancho Pop Warner and New Mexico Pop Warner are competitive leagues

• Teams may qualify for Regionals at the coach’s discretion and if they win the NMPW Championship in their age group

• Regional games are spread across 3 weekends and will require travel to Texas

National Participation:

• The Pop Warner Super Bowl is scheduled for December 6–13, 2025, in Charlotte, NC

• If your team wins Regionals, it is expected that they will advance to Nationals

• Families should begin financial planning early to account for the potential cost of both events

• Coaches and/or team moms will provide fundraising opportunities during the season to help offset expenses

Important:
Participation in Regionals or Nationals is a serious commitment. Please be prepared to support travel, lodging, and related expenses if your team qualifies.