LANGHORNE, PA - To support cheer and dance teams that do not have a national championship this year, Pop Warner   is opening its National Cheer and Dance Championships to allow non-Pop Warner recreation teams to participate in an Open Division this December in Orlando, Florida.

It's the first time teams outside the organization would participate in a Pop Warner event. Those teams will compete in an Open Division that is created for this year only.

“This has been a tough year and unfortunately many teams across the country have had to make the difficult decision to cancel their seasons. But for those teams in Pop Warner and across the broader cheer and dance community who are working hard to have a season this fall, we wanted to make sure they all had an opportunity to participate in an event where they could celebrate the season and compete for a national title,” said Lisa Moroski, the National Cheer & Dance Commissioner of Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. “The creation of an Open Division for this year, allows that to happen.”

Pop Warner announced last month that it plans to hold its National Cheer & Dance Championships from December 5-7. The three-day long event will be hosted by Florida Citrus Sports at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL and will look to feature approximately 200 cheer and dances teams from Pop Warner as well as teams outside of the Pop Warner organization who have had their events cancelled this season.

Pop Warner cheer and dance teams will have the opportunity to compete in five different age divisions (Mitey Mite, Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr. Varsity, Varsity & Challenger) and 12 different Skill Levels (PW 1, PW 2, PW 3, PW 4, Sideline Performance Cheer, Core Cheer, Non-Mount 1, Non-Mount 2, Non-Mount 3, Pom Performance, Theme Dance & Hip Hop).

Cheer and dance teams entering an Open Division will have the opportunity to compete in four different age divisions (16U, 13U, 12U, 11U) and 11 different YCADA Skill Levels (Show Cheer 1-4, Sideline Performance Cheer 1, Non-Mount 1-3, Pom Performance, Theme Dance & Hip Hop).

In addition to competition, all participating teams are invited to the Pop Warner Celebration Party at Universal Studios on Monday, December 7.

Resorts will include the beautiful Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Rosen Plaza and Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando.

If you are interested in competing this year, team registration along with a $500 deposit is due no later than October 9. Final Payment is due November 15.

You Can Find More Details Here at the National Championship Web Page.

About Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.
Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Langhorne, PA, Pop Warner Little Scholars is the nation’s oldest youth football, cheerleading and dance organization and the only youth sports organization that emphasizes academics as a prerequisite for participation. Pop Warner participants enjoy the opportunity to learn and compete in their sports in an atmosphere that emphasizes fun, academics and character. For more information on Pop Warner and its programs, visit popwarner.com or follow Pop Warner on Twitter @Pop_Warner, Facebook @PopWarnerLittleScholars, Instagram @popwarnerlittlescholars and Snapchat @popwarner1929.