Press release:
YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA TO DISCONTINUE POP WARNER FOOTBALL AND CHEER PROGRAM
Declining enrollment, safety concerns behind the decision
Asheville, November 2, 2015 – The YMCA of Western North Carolina will be discontinuing its Pop Warner football and cheer program for Asheville-area youth, effective with the end of this season. The last game was held Saturday, October 31, 2015.
Nationwide, football has seen dramatic declines in participation, due largely to increased awareness of the risk of concussions and injury through the sport. Enrollment in the YMCA of Western North Carolina’s Pop Warner program reflected this decline. The YMCA of WNC executive team and YMCA Pop Warner staff leaders and volunteers made the decision to make youth safety a priority and stop offering Pop Warner Football and Pop Warner Cheer.
“This was a tough decision,” said Paul Vest, president and CEO of the YMCA of Western North Carolina. “Since we formed our Pop Warner league in 2010, we’ve served 1500 football players and over 200 cheerleaders. Our volunteers have contributed thousands of hours of time encouraging these young athletes, and we remain grateful for their support. The YMCA is committed to youth development, and as the health risks to football players, especially through concussions, become more apparent, we believe it is the right choice.”
The YMCA of Western North Carolina will still offer cheerleading, which will now be expanded to a spring season. The Y will also continue to offer a wide range of sports for boys and girls, including basketball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, t-ball, swim team, and flag football. As always, the youth sports programs will include valuable lessons in teamwork, good sportsmanship, and skill building, all in a setting that emphasizes safety and fun.
For more information on YMCA of Western North Carolina youth sports opportunities, please contact Tina Weaver, Director of Program Development, at tweaver@ymcawnc.org, or 828 210 9605.
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