President's Message

Welcome to Santa Margarita Pop Warner Football and Cheer. We are one of the largest Pop Warner organizations in the country with over 800 kids and 28 football teams in 2011. We also fielded 5 cheer squads last year. Our league is made up of boys and girls ages 5 to 15 from Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch, San Juan Capistrano, Irvine, portions of Mission Viejo and Laguna Niguel, Trabuco Canyon, Las Flores, and Coto De Caza. SMPW is part of the Orange Empire Conference which is made up of 29 cities in Orange and LA Counties.

We have a very proud history at SMPW since 1996. Last year, we had 12 of our 18 playoff eligible teams participate in post-season play (Almost 70%!).  SMPW as a league had a 700 plus winning percentage which was the highest in the OEC. While the wins and records are exciting, one of the most important aspects of SM Pop Warner is the focus on teamwork, sportsmanship and the development of our youth.  In fact, Santa Margarita Pop Warner helps prepare kids for D1 high school football better than any other youth football program.  SMPW had 36 alumni play in the Southern Section, Pac 5 Final Four in 2011.  SMPW had 15 alumni play for the D1 State High School football champs for 2011!

Additionally, Pop Warner remains as the only youth sports organization that requires academic achievement be met in order to participate. Retention of players and coaches is strength of SMPW with over 95% of the kids that played in 2010 returning in 2011. 22 of our 28 coaches also returned with prior year experience. SMPW is also very proud of the CHALLENGER division football and cheer. SMPW sent the Challenger team to Florida this year to play at the National Championships. Our Pee Wee Titan team also won the D1 Orange Bowl and Wescon Regional Championships.

Lastly, SM Pop Warner is very fortunate to have the many board and non-board volunteers that keep our program moving forward. Our partnership with the school districts, Samlarc and the five local high schools (Tesoro, Trabuco Hills, San Juan Hills, J Serra and Santa Margarita) allows us to provide our kids with the best fields, equipment and facilities in the state and is a true asset to our program. I encourage each of you to get involved in 2012 with the best youth football league in the country!

GOOOOOSMPW!!!!!!!

Mark Graves

President