Media Contact Only: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195 (DPR); Jack Pfeiffer, (202) 727-1751 (EOM)
DPR DC Pop Warner Football: (202) 673-2032
Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty was joined by DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Acting Director Ximena Hartsock, Neal Owens, Area Director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW), and the District of Columbia Pop Warner Football and Cheer Leagues to celebrate the opening of the second season of DC Pop Warner at DPR’s Ridge Road Recreation Center, located at 800 Ridge Road, SE.
"My administration is committed to providing safe, healthy and educational opportunities for youth across the District," said Mayor Fenty. "This year DC DPR has partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington to make DC Pop Warner bigger and better than ever before."
This year the DC Pop Warner Football League will have over 3,400 youth athletes, ages 5 to 15 years old, competing in six Pop Warner Football age/weight divisions. Founded in 1929, Pop Warner Football is the only youth football program (local, regional, and national) that sets and enforces a strict age and weight matrix which reduces the risk of injuries. Pop Warner is also the only national youth sports organization that requires its participants to maintain academic standards in order to participate. This year also marks the first year that DPR will hold the charter for the DC Pop Warner Football League.
"It’s always exciting to be able to expand opportunities for our young athletes," said DPR Acting Director Hartsock. "With the support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and Pop Warner, DPR has a fall season filled with excitement."
“We look forward to the Pop Warner season in partnership with DPR” says Pandit Wright, BGCGW President and CEO. “Our football players and cheerleaders are able to enjoy the benefits of being physically active as well as learning the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and commitment.”
DC Pop Warner Cheer and Dance is for boys and girls ages 5 to 15 years old, and this year over 150 young athletes on 11 teams will compete in local, regional, and national competitions. Registration for the DC Pop Warner Cheer and Dance fall and winter programs is open through September 18, 2009. For more information or to register, contact DPR Athletic Programs at (202) 671-1700.
DC Pop Warner football games will be played across the District every weekend through October 17. Playoffs weekend begins October 24, and Championship Weekend begins on October 31. Teams will play for the DC Pop Warner Football League Championship, and the opportunity to represent the DC Pop Warner Football League in the Regional Playoffs in November, and a shot to compete in the Pop Warner Football Super Bowl in December. For more information about DPR's DC Pop Warner programs, visit "Youth Sports" in the "Athletic Programs" section on DPR's website, dpr.dc.gov or call DC Pop Warner Football League at (202) 673-2032 or (202) 671-1700.
View photos from the event at DPR's flickr photostream.*
For information on how to support or contribute to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, please contact DPR's Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 671-1462 or DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.
*Note: Some links provided on dc.gov or other DC government websites may display vendor logos, banners, or similar identification. Such links are used for operational reasons only and do not constitute or imply any endorsement of any vendor or its product.