What league are the Jr. Whip-Purs affiliated with? |
| The Hampshire Jr. Whip-Purs are proudly affiliated with Chicagoland Pop Warner. Pop Warner is one of the largest and most respected youth sports organizations in the country, founded in 1929 with a mission to provide safe, structured, and educational athletic opportunities for young athletes. With a strong emphasis on academic achievement, sportsmanship, and character development, Pop Warner has been a leader in youth football and cheerleading for nearly a century. The organization serves hundreds of thousands of participants nationwide and is well known for its age- and weight-based divisions, focus on player safety, and its nationally recognized Little Scholars academic program.
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Why are the Jr Whip-Purs Cheerleaders only Sideline? |
 | Over the years, the Jr. Whip-Purs have offered competitive cheer opportunities through Pop Warner, AYC, and ILCA at the recreational level. Following the 2024 season, however, we saw a continued decline in enrollment and overall interest in recreational competitive cheer. Many athletes chose to pursue more established private tumbling and dance programs, while others joined organizations competing at higher levels than the ILCA C-REC division.
At the same time, we heard from many athletes who were involved in those outside programs but still wanted the opportunity to participate in sideline cheer with their peers. Rather than dividing our resources across two lower-level programs, the Board made the decision to focus exclusively on strengthening our sideline cheer program.
By concentrating fully on sideline cheer, we are able to provide a better overall experience, stronger game-day presence, and more consistent opportunities for our athletes. This decision does not rule out the possibility of offering competitive cheer again in the future if interest and participation levels support it. For now, our athletes are thriving, and we are proud of the direction our cheer program is moving.
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When should my child start? Should I wait until they're older to be safe? |
 | If your son or daughter will be at least 5 years old by July 15, 2026, they are officially eligible to become a Jr Whip-Pur this season! While every family decides when the time is right to start, there is a distinct advantage to beginning early. Starting young allows your child to grow alongside their teammates, fully immersing themselves in the sport they love while building a foundation of confidence and skill. For our Football Parents: It’s natural to have concerns about contact at a young age. However, there is a strategic benefit to starting now: safety through experience. As children grow bigger and stronger, the game naturally speeds up. By starting early, your son learns the fundamentals of proper tackling and blocking techniques in a controlled environment with peers his own size. Waiting until the "competition" is older—and more experienced—actually puts an athlete at a disadvantage. While flag football is a fantastic sport, the specialized skills required for tackle football are best mastered through years of consistent, hands-on development. For our Cheer Parents: Safety is our top priority. Our cheerleaders are taught strictly age-appropriate stunts and routines in a high-energy, supportive environment. No athlete is ever placed in a position that exceeds their skill level or safety comfort zone. We focus on building coordination, teamwork, and spirit. |
How long do the Football and Cheer seasons run? |
 | Football and cheer currently participate in a fall season through Pop Warner, which runs from July 15 through October. The exact end date can vary depending on team success, as teams that qualify may continue into postseason play following the eight-game regular season.
Cheer teams are guaranteed to perform at all home games (typically four per season) and at least two away games. In addition to the regular season and potential postseason games, our football teams also take part in the annual Chicagoland Jamboree prior to the start of the season.
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How far do we have to travel? |
 | Chicagoland Pop Warner is a large conference that spans much of Northern Illinois, with teams located in Winnebago, Cook, Kendall, Kane, DuPage, Will, McHenry, Lake, and DeKalb counties. While some away games may require travel of up to two hours, the majority are much closer. All practices and home games are held at Hampshire Middle School.
To see all of the diverse teams and locations where we may play, check out Chicagoland Pop Warner's Association Page.
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Is Pop Warner the equivalent of Little League or Park District? |
 | No. The Hampshire Jr. Whip-Purs Football Program is a full-contact tackle football program that serves as a feeder program for athletes aspiring to play at Hampshire High School.
We are not a YMCA or Park District–style recreational program. To put in the terms baseball families would understand, our program is more comparable to a travel baseball program rather than Little League. While we place a strong emphasis on athlete growth and development, we are also a competitive program, focused on building teams that can successfully compete at the older age levels and prepare athletes for the high school game.
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How much does it Cost? |
 | The Jr Whip-Purs Remain one of the most affordable programs in the region. Here is the breakdown:
| Cheerleading | $ 150.00 | $ 150.00 | $ 300.00 | | Football 6U | $ 200.00 | $ 150.00 | $ 350.00 | | Football 7U | $ 300.00 | $ 150.00 | $ 450.00 | | Football 8U - 13U | $ 400.00 | $ 150.00 | $ 550.00 |
In order to minimize fundraisers, the Jr Whip-Purs adopted the Fundraising Buy-In model before the 2024 Season. In addition to your registration fee, you will owe an additional $150 per registration to cover your fundraising obligation for the year. We will then issue you 15 raffle tickets with a value of $10 a piece. You may either sell the tickets in order to make back your Buy-In or roll the dice and claim hem for yourself and try and win a cash prize.
If you have multiple children in the program, you will receive $50 off each subsequent registration after paying for the first athlete in full. You will still be liable for a Fundraiser Buy-In for each registration.
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What is the Commitment level expected of Parents and Athletes? |
 | Participation in the Hampshire Jr. Whip-Purs Football and Cheer program requires a shared commitment from both athletes and parents to ensure a positive, productive, and respectful environment for everyone involved.
Athlete Expectations
Athletes are expected to attend all scheduled practices, games, and team events unless excused in advance. Maintaining academic eligibility is essential; all athletes must meet or exceed the minimum grade point average required under Pop Warner standards. While on the field—whether at practice or during games—athletes are expected to give their coaches full attention, demonstrate strong effort, and follow instruction. Good sportsmanship, respect for teammates, opponents, officials, and coaches, and adherence to team rules are required at all times. Our program is committed to developing not only skilled athletes, but also responsible, respectful, and well-rounded members of the community.
Parent Expectations
Parents play a critical role in their child’s experience and development. Parents are expected to support and encourage their athletes, reinforce coaching instruction, and promote a positive attitude toward teamwork and effort. Respectful behavior toward coaches, officials, volunteers, opponents, and other families is expected at all practices, games, and events. Parents should communicate proactively with coaches regarding absences, concerns, or questions and follow established channels for addressing issues. Shared Responsibility
Both athletes and parents are expected to uphold the values of the Jr. Whip-Purs program, including accountability, integrity, and respect. Timely communication, adherence to Pop Warner and program policies, and a commitment to creating a safe, positive, and supportive environment are essential to the success of our teams and the overall experience of our families.
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