1. Why does Knights registration cost so much?
The expenses, including quality equipment, field use, game officials, insurance, para-medic, etc..., are not covered by the registrations fees. Thus we ask sponsors to help cover the expenses of our football organization. Some income is received from the Snack Shack and booster sales. No board members are paid; they are all volunteers (just like this webmaster). The registration covers approximately half of the costs of fielding a player.

2. Why a Birth Certificate?
The Pop Warner youth football system matches players on teams of similar ages and weights for safety reasons. Therefore, players of all teams nationwide must submit proof of age.

3. How is weight determined?
While the Knights will initially use your submitted weight during registration (the medical form), all players nationwide are weighed during "Certification Day" by Conference officials - in our case: officials from the Peninsula Pop Warner Conference weigh every player from all the teams from San Bruno to Santa Cruz... one at a time. Then each player is also weighed before each game... all this to make sure only players of equivalent weights are competing. If your player happens to fall on or slightly above the maximum weight range for their age, but is not eligible to move to the next level team because of age, they do assume the risk of working all of August and not 'making weight'. Set your weight goals early in the summer if this applies to your player.

4. Where do the records go and who sees them, such as the Birth Certificate?
All the materials/forms submitted come together in an official Record Book for each team. During Certification Day, Peninsula Conference officials verify each player's documents, residence, and weight, making sure he is on a team appropriate for his age and weight level - again for safety reasons Conference wide. The book is then kept by each team Head Coach and is not available basically to anyone. Exception (for example): the Medical Form would be available in case of injury.

5. Why must we submit school Report Cards?
Pop Warner National policy considers school more important than football. Thus a player must submit proof that he is academically sound enough so that football does not interfere with his grades. High academic achievement is rewarded in the "Pop Warner Little Scholars" program, resulting in a very elaborate dinner and awards night at the end of each year.

6. What about this safety issue?
While injury is a possibility, excellent equipment, required conditioning, and weight-age similarity tend to minimize injury.   Statistically, Pop Warner football has fewer injuries than soccer. In ten years of Pop Warner football involvement and hundreds of games/practices, I've seen two football injuries requiring a physician's care.

7. What about the family vacation we normally take in August?
August is the month of conditioning and learning-teaching, and is necessarily devoted to Knights football.   By Pop Warner rules, no conditioning - no play.

8. Can any kid play contact football?
Football is a team game, rewarding players with self-esteem, confidence, an ability to work together, and better physical health. I have found "heart" and desire to be the most important factors in a player's success. My son tended to be on the smaller side of the age-weight groupings; however, he presently is an 'A' student, Eagle Scout, and fullback/linebacker for his high school varsity team.   I am a strong believer in the value of team sports to a young boy.

9. I saw the Pop Warner Super Bowl on tv.   What is that?
Successful teams within their conference further compete at the regional level; winning teams then proceed to the semi-finals and finals at the Pop Warner Super Bowl usually held at the Disneyland Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida in December.

10. My son doesn't want to play football, but I think it is good for him or will "toughen him up"; should I sign him up?
    No. Encourage him to seek a sport in which he has an interest.

BONUS QUESTION:   My son cannot make all the practices or will necessarily be late; can he still play?
    No - (you) he is not committed.