I am excited to announce that the North Raleigh Athletic Association (“North Raleigh Bulldogs”) and the Wake Forest Athletic Association (“Wake Forest Titans”) will combine in a merger of equals beginning in the 2019 season. This will create one of the region’s and nation’s largest Pop Warner Associations based on number of participants and teams, North Raleigh Wake Forest Athletics. We are two like-minded Associations with deep traditions, a strong cultural alignment, and a shared dedication to delivering competitive and developmental football and cheer programs that foster the confidence and talent of our youth members as they strive for and reach their full potential. Together we will be better able to serve our youth members as we continue to create an atmosphere and environment for them to succeed on and off the field.
The Wake Forest Titans Football Association has been a proud member of Pop Warner since its inception in 2003. The mission of Pop Warner Little Scholars is to enable young people 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, skills and knowledge that young people will use throughout their lives.
The North Raleigh Athletic Association (NRAA) was founded in 1982 to provide a safe, organized and respectful environment for youth to learn and participate in football and cheer. Our programs are aligned with the national Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc., organization's rules, policies, processes, and philosophies. Since that time we have grown to a 501(c)(3) organization of hundreds of youth participants who consistently experience success at the local, regional, and national championship levels.
From practice to playoffs, we deliver competitive and developmental football and cheer programs that foster the confidence and talent of our youth members as they strive for and reach their full potential.
Pop Warner seeks to provide fun athletic learning opportunities for children, while emphasizing the importance of academic success. Specifically, Pop Warner seeks to familiarize players and spirit participants with the fundamentals of football and cheer leading. Pop Warner strives to inspire youth, regardless of race, creed 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.
Objectives
- To encourage and increase youth participation in football and cheer leading.
- To ensure a safe and positive playing environment for all participants.
- To instill life-long values of teamwork, dedication and a superior work ethic in the classroom and on the playing field.
Positive Experiences
- Pop Warner programs have no tryouts or cutting of rosters.
- Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play.
- On-field coaching is allowed for younger age levels.
- Individual awards are given only for academic excellence, not for on-field activities.
Safe Playing Environment
- Players are matched by age and weight levels.
- There are strict mandatory equipment requirements.
- Pop Warner provides Coaching Clinics and Risk Management Training.
- An enforced national rule book incorporates time-tested rules.
- A full-time executive staff supports all local associations and assists in sound policy creation.