1. What is the Flemington Falcons and Why Play for Us?

The Flemington Falcons is part of Pop Warner’s Mountain Valley Conference (MVC). The mission of Pop Warner / Flemington Falcons is to enable children to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment. Through this active participation, Pop Warner programs teach fundamental values and skills that young people will use throughout their lives.
Pop Warner seeks to provide fun athletic learning opportunities for children, while emphasizing the importance of teamwork, dedication and a superior work ethic in the classroom and on the playing field.
The Pop Warner Little Scholars Program is the only youth football and cheerleading organization that requires its participants to maintain academic standards in order to participate.
Positive experience and Safe Playing Environment Pop Warner programs have no tryouts or cutting of rosters. Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play. Each level of play for football is weight controlled for safety -- Players are matched by both age and weight levels. Cheerleaders are generally grouped by age and grade.

2. How old must my child be?

Thank you for your interest in the Flemington Falcons Football and Cheer program. We offer six divisions of Football and six divisions of Cheer for children ages 5 to 15. Weight limits do not apply to the Cheer program.

3. Does my child need to try out?

Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play. Each level of play for football is weight controlled for safety -- Players are matched by both age and weight levels. Cheerleaders are generally grouped by age and grade.

4. What is the cost for the program?

$ 130.00 for Flag Football, Flag Cheer and Mitey Mite Cheer Prior to APRIL 1st. $150 after APRIL 1st
$200.00 for all other Football and Cheer teams Prior to APRIL 1st. $220 after APRIL 1st.
Make out a check, payable to Flemington Falcons, for registration. Visa and MasterCard are accepted, payment form below. Please note the participant(s) name in the memo section. $25 late fee for registrations received after July 1. There is a $15 fee for all returned checks.
For each child participating in the program, please enclose a $250.00 “Parent Participation Bond” and $150.00 “Uniform and Equipment Bond.” Checks are made payable to the Flemington Falcons. Please note the participant(s) name in the memo section. Bond checks WILL NOT BE CASHED and will be destroyed or returned after your child participates in the fund-raisers, all equipment/uniforms are turned in, and the parent volunteer hours are fulfilled.

5. How long is the season and How often is Practice?

The season officially starts Monday, August 1st, 2011. Football practice in August will be Monday through Friday from 6 to 8 pm. Cheer will practice Monday through Thursday from 6 to 8:30 pm for the first two weeks in August and then follow the football practice schedule for the following two weeks. When the children return to school the football practice schedule is reduced to three times per week, being on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 pm and Saturday mornings. In the event that practice is cancelled due to weather, a make up practice will be held during that week on either Friday or Saturday. Indoor Cheer practice days and times vary by team but will not exceed 3 times per week.
The season for both Football and Cheer can continue into November/December depending on teams qualifying for play-offs and competition.

6. Are uniforms included?

All football equipment, football uniforms and cheer uniforms are supplied by the Flemington Falcons. However, there are other items that will need to be purchased for Cheer and Football. Please check the main webpage under either Cheer or Football.

7. Where do the Football teams practice?

Football practice is held on the field behind Copper Hill Elementary School in Ringoes.

8. Where do the Cheer teams practice?

In August Cheer teams practice on the field behind Copper Hill Elementary School in Ringoes. At the commencement of the school year, practices are moved indoors to various facilities in the Flemington area. In the past we have practiced at JP Case, The RAC, Barley Sheaf and Powertime. You will be given a schedule of places once school begins.

9. Where are home/away games played?

Home games are played at Hunterdon Central Regional High School. There are approx. “4” home games a year and “4” away games. Away games are typically no more than 60 minutes away.

10. Are we required to “volunteer”?

Yes, all families are required to fulfill volunteer hours. Parents are required to volunteer their time to the organization for 6 hours per first participant and 4 hours for each additional participant. Your help is needed in various positions to help the organization through your time and involvement. Positions include game day duties in the snack shack, gate and 50/50 sales, and field assistance to name a few. A complete listing of volunteer positions will be on the website with sign ups during equipment hand out in July. Positions will be assigned to those who do not voluntarily sign up. Remember, this is a volunteer organization for the benefit of your child. If you feel you can add or help out in any way, please feel free to talk with your coach or team commissioner. There is always something you could do to help out.

11. Is Fundraising Mandatory?

Each year, it costs approximately $100K to run the Falcon programs. Our registration fees cover less than half of that. We count on fundraising to support our costs and each year, we try to develop a comprehensive fundraising program that minimizes the financial impact to our families, offering several different venues for fundraising. Each year we need to replace and upgrade our equipment and uniforms. Additionally, the Falcons are one of a very few number of Pop Warner teams who are not subsidized by our townships! Your support is critical to ensuring we can continue to provide the best program possible for your child.

The Falcons have two mandatory fundraisers each year, which are described in detail below - Tag Day and Calendar Raffle.

Fundraisers - includes both mandatory and voluntary events:

Tag Day
(Required) – This event is for all Mighty Mite through Midget teams, and is a two hour commitment per athlete to dress in uniform and ask the community’s support at area businesses. Location sign up sheets will be available in August. In 2011, Tag Days will be September 16 and 17, with locations in both Flemington and Whitehouse areas.

Calendar Raffle
(Required) –The calendar raffle is one of our biggest fundraisers. Each family (not athlete) is required to sell 15 tickets at $10 each. Cash prizes, ranging from $40 to $200 are selected daily in October. November and December. All ticket sales are due by September 30th, 2011. The calendar raffle information will be distributed in August.

Mum Sale
Every year we hold an annual Mum sale. Order forms will be handed out in August, along with additional details of the sale.

Dine Arounds
This is a fun way to help support the Falcons. We will be hosting dine arounds throughout the 2011 season at various local restaurants. Please check our website and calendar for upcoming events.

Five Below
Every year we partner with Five Below for a fundraising opportunity. This year our fundraiser runs from August 28th through September 4th. By using the the Falcons Five Below flyer, the Falcons will receive a percentage of all sales! Share the flyer with your friends, family and neighbors and help increase sales.

Corporate Sponsors
Many corporations support employees giving through volunteer hours, United Way or other non-profit campaigns, and matching funds. If you are aware of any programs that can contribute to the Falcons through these avenues, please let us know!

Falcon Sponsorship
There are several sponsorship options available for both businesses and individuals. Each sponsorship level offers different advertisement venues, such as links on our new website, banners at home games, ads in our game day programs and recognition of our sponsors via announcements at our home games. If you or someone you know is interested, please forward our form (available on Left-side menu under Forms Download & Fundraising), or contact Kathleen Sorg.

Pictures
Pictures for the 2011 season are Scheduled for our Home Game day on Sept. 18th. More details to come

12. What is the Refund Policy should my child decide not to play?

The Falcons will refund registration fees less a 10% processing fee for requests prior to equipment and uniform handout which is held in late July. After equipment handout and prior to August 1, a 75% refund applies. After August 1 and prior to the end of the second week of practice, a 50% refund applies. For drops in weeks 3 and 4 in August, a 25% refund applies. No refunds will be issued after the first football game of the season is played at the end of August