2023 Football and Cheer Registration – Questions & Answers
How do I register?
Registration is completed on this website.
Thereafter, live uniform fitting sessions will be held on June 7th. We are currently awaiting approval of dates and will update you all as soon as we have a confirmed date.
Attending one of these sessions is MANDATORY for all football players as they must be sized for their uniforms and receive their fundraising tickets!
When does the season start?
Football and cheer practices begin in late July, and football games will begin in late August and continue every weekend (except for bye weeks) through October. Cheer competitions start in October, with all games and competitions ending by early November.
Why is registration held so early?
We hold registration in May so we can promote our football and cheer programs through the schools. It also gives us an opportunity to order the equipment and supplies we need before practice begins in July.
Where do you hold your practices?
All practices are held at Starpoint Central School. Football players practice on the fields to the East of Fricano Primary School. Cheerleaders practice outside near Fricano Primary School in July and August, and then inside the Starpoint Fricano and Regan gyms once school starts.
When are practices held?
Practices start in late July and are held at each coach’s discretion. Here’s our general schedule:
Football: Four nights a week in July/August from 6:00-8:00 p.m, weather permitting.
Cheer: 2-3 nights a week on Monday through Thursday from 6:00-8:00 p.m, weather permitting.
When school starts, practices are cut back to two or three nights a week from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Cheerleaders may practice more frequently in the weeks leading up to competitions.
Where do you play your games?
Home games are played on Starpoint’s football field, while away games are played against other NEYSA teams through Niagara County and northern Erie County.
Click here for a list of NEYSA teams, and click here for a map of all NEYSA field locations.
When are games played?
Home games are played on Saturday mornings - early afternoon at Starpoint. Away games may be held on Friday night, anytime Saturday, or Sunday. Our cheerleaders participate in competitions held on Saturday or Sunday afternoons.
What are the maximum weight limits for football?
There are no maximum weight limits for football, allowing all children to participate with players their own age. Players above a weight set by our league participate as "stripers", and must play certain positions on the field. The striper weight limits are:
Mini Spartans: Above 90 lbs
Freshman Spartans: Above 110 lbs
JV Spartans: Above 135 lbs
Varsity Spartans: Above 160 lbs
You may your head coach for more specific information about the striper rule.
How are cheerleading teams determined?
Cheerleaders are placed by our cheer staff on teams generally based on age, grade level and ability.
Do your cheerleaders participate in competitions?
Absolutely! Our cheerleaders have proudly represented Pendleton at numerous cheer competitions in past years, including the UB Spirit Challenge, Fall Fest and the Elite Heat Hot Cheer Challenge.
How much does it cost to participate?
There is a $75 registration fee plus a $100 Volunteer Service Deposit for each youth registered. The Volunteer Service Deposit will be refunded when your service commitment is fulfilled.
Each youth is also responsible for selling $100 in raffle tickets. You will receive your raffle tickets at a live sizing event in June, and the funds and ticket stubs are due the first week of practice in July.
As for football, families must also purchase a personalized jersey and game pants for their player. PABA will order these items to ensure consistency and payment for this uniform package is due at the time of registration.
What is the service fee?
On game days, PABA needs volunteers serving customers in the concession stand and merchandise tent, setting up the field, selling 50/50 tickets, cleaning up after the game, and many other duties. We also count your service as complete if you serve as a coach, board member, or team mom. If you volunteer for an approved task, you receive a refund of your service fee. As you can see, the service fee is simply there to encourage parents to volunteer.
What is the raffle?
PABA offers one of the lowest registration fees for football and cheerleading in Western New York. To keep our registration fees low, we require each football player and cheerleader to sell $100 in raffle tickets. You will receive your tickets when you register, and the money and completed ticket stubs are due the first week of practice in July. All raffle money must be turned in for your child to receive his or her uniform and equipment.
What should I bring with me to uniform sizing?
All parents should bring the child they registered for football or cheerleading, as well as cash, credit card, or a check for payment, if you have chosen not to pay by credit card during the online registration process. We also accept payment through Independent Health’s “Health Extras” program. Parents registering first-time football players should also bring a copy of their child's birth certificate.
What will I have to buy?
For football players, PABA supplies helmets, shoulder pads, rib guard pads and a practice jersey. As stated above, families must also purchase a personalized jersey and game pants for their player. PABA will order these items to ensure consistency and payment for this uniform package is due at the time of registration. If your player's uniform still fits from the previous season and still matches our standard uniform, you do not have to buy a new uniform for that year.
Players must also purchase their own cleats, athletic supporter or "cup", mouthpieces and chinstraps. Practice jerseys may be kept at the end of the season.
For cheerleaders, PABA supplies cheer uniforms, but cheerleaders must purchase apparel as follows:
Cheer sneakers, Crop top, Briefs, Hair bow, Cheer socks, Personalized cheer jacket. The total cost of the jacket is $60.00, and PABA subsidizes half the cost. If a replacement is needed, participants must pay the full $60.00.
How do I get more information?
Email us at [email protected]