CHALLENGER PROGRAM:


The mission of the Pop Warner Challenger Division is to bring the Pop Warner experience to those special needs individuals.

Pop Warner’s overall goals are to enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment and by establishing a Challenger Division, Pop Warner is providing an opportunity for everyone to participate in the great game of football.

Pop Warner objectives are to inspire our youth, regardless of race, creed, religion or national origin to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness as reflected in the life of the late Glenn Scobie “Pop” Warner. Pop Warner Strives to make the game fun for all boys and girls.

The program stresses learning lessons of value far beyond the playing or spirit days of those involved, such as; self-discipline, teamwork, concentration, friendship, leadership, and sportsmanship.

The philosophy of the Pop Warner Challenger Division is to provide the framework for local Pop Warner programs to offer a structured football program for participants with special needs. The Challenger program is non-competitive and no score is kept. The games are modeled after a typical Pop Warner game with warm-ups, coin toss and national anthem etc. Participation in the Challenger Division is permitted at the request of the individual’s parent or guardian.

The Pop Warner Challenger Division was pioneered and established in 2004 in East Greenbush in the Capital District Pop Warner League.