Mission Statement

Oceanside Pop Warner, established in 1971, provides a quality youth football and cheer program with emphasis on developing athletes while promoting safety, fun and participation for all; to advocate good sportsmanship, respect, and to honor the game.  Through the encouragement of teamwork, self-discipline, leadership and academic achievement, our commitment is to promote a positive culture that builds self esteem and instills the importance of both athletics and scholastic, which go hand-in-hand to foster confident, responsible, well-rounded young men and women.

All members of the Oceanside Pop Warner Community, to include Board Members, Coaches, Coaching Staff, Volunteers, and parents will adhere to all safety guidelines in order to mitigate injuries and ensure a safe and fun atmosphere for all OPW participants.

About Us

Oceanside Pop Warner Football & Cheer is a non-profit organization that provides youth football and cheer programs for participants who live in Oceanside and/or who attend school within the Oceanside Unified School District.

Oceanside Pop Warner is a part of Pop Warner Little Scholars which is the largest youth football, cheer and dance program in the world.

Pop Warner was founded in 1929 and serves as the only youth football, cheerleading & dance organization that requires its participants to maintain academic standards in order to participate. Pop Warner’s commitment to academics is what separates the program from other youth sports around the world and continues to grow year over year.

Since 1929, the Pop Warner Programs’ Philosophy has been that athletics and scholastics go hand in hand. At every level, Pop Warner programs seek to develop well-rounded young men and women who learn not only the fundamentals of football, cheerleading, and dance but also the importance of education in an atmosphere conducive to developing sound character while having a good time.

Oceanside Pop Warner is committed to developing Oceanside’s young people on the field and off. Each year OPW continues to expand its efforts in team and activity participation, as well as visibility and outreach in our community.

Our Program

Oceanside Pop Warner (OPW) is a 501(c)3 non-profit that was founded  for the purpose of developing, fostering, and generating a local Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading program. We are a subordinate member of Pop Warner Little Scholars (PWLS), and are subject to the rules and regulations set forth by PWLS.

We are part of the Westcon Pop Warner Region, a geographical division put in place by PWLS. Within our Region, there are several Leagues. Our League is the Palomar Conference. There are 17 associations that make up Palomar Conference. Our children will play against one of the teams that belong in those associations.

Our organization is run entirely by volunteers.  All our coaches and seasonal staff are also volunteers who put in many hours on and off the practice fields each season.  The season officially begins in August each year, but our board (elected members/volunteers by our parents) begin preparation for the new season as early as January.

Our organization is funded through registration fees, sponsors, and fundraisers.  All funds are put back into the program to pay expenses and make improvements.  Some of the expenses we incur each year include: repair and/or replacement of equipment and uniforms, field usage fees, insurance, membership dues, background checks for staff, merchandise for resale, referees, end-of-year participant trophies, participant pictures, and other miscellaneous administrative expenses.

Each year we strive to improve and nurture this program, thus ensuring its continued existence and availability for the community.  We appreciate the support and enthusiasm of all our volunteers, sponsors, and parents.

Our Commitment

Our goal is to encourage and increase youth participation in football and Cheer Leading by providing a safe and positive playing environment for all participants, and to instill life-long values of teamwork, dedication and a superior work ethic in the classroom and on the field.

Our City

Oceanside Pop Warner is located in the coastal city of Oceanside, CA in Northern San Diego county and lies just south of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, one of the largest military bases in the country.

Oceanside is home to two high schools, the El Camino Wildcats and the Oceanside Pirates.  Since 1963, Oceanside has won 22 CIF Football Championships (OHS-14, ECHS-8), including a record 7 consecutive CIF Championships from 2004-2010 by the Oceanside Pirates.

The City of Oceanside has a distinguished lineage of student-athletics to include:

  • Sam Brenner, plays for the Denver Broncos, winning Superbowl 50 in 2016.  He also played for the Miami Dolphins.  He was a OHS 2008 graduate.
  • Tiania Baul “Junior” Seau Jr. graduated from OHS and went on to the University of Southern California.  Junior Seau “55” played for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots.  Junior Seau was a 10-time All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowl selection, and named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was elected posthumously to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
  • Michael Booker, who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons and played five seasons in the NFL.  He was a 1993 ECHS graduate.
  • Willie James Buchanon, who played for both the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers.  He was a OHS graduate in 1968.
  • Joe Salave’a graduated from OHS.  He played for the Arizona Wildcats at the University of Arizona, the Tennessee Oilers/Titans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Washingotn Redskins.  He is now a defensive coach who works at San Jose State University, University of Arizona, and now at Washington State University.
  • Bryant Westbrook, played for the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. Graduated from El Camino High School in 1993.
  • Toussaint Tyler who graduated from ECHS.  He played running back for the New Orleans Saints for two seasons.
  • Dokie Williams was born in Oceanside.  He played for the Los Angeles Raiders for five seasons where his team won the Super Bowl XVIII.
  • Ken Stills, played for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.  He was born in Oceanside.
  • D.J. Clark, who was on the Green Bay Packers practice squad and was signed on briefly by the Carolina Panthers.  He was born in Oceanside.
  • J.C. “Jayice” Pearson was born in Oceanside.  He played for  the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings.  He was a FOX and ESPN sportscaster and is now on a radio show.