West Park Jr Panthers

*As of the 2025 season WPJP will be implementing a Boundary Policy. Please see the policy here and additional FAQ's below*

Football

Cheer

Early Registration: $350 (February 1st to February 28th)
Regular Registration: $375 (March 1st to April 30th)
Registration includes: Registration fee, 1 bow, 1 pair of practice shorts and tank

Please have the following available to upload during the registration process:

Proof of address: Utility bill or mortgage statement or current lease agreement
Picture of athlete for player card: Recent headshot. No hats or sunglasses. White background preferred.

Documents required for registration:

Proof of Age (for athletes ages 6-14):
- School Registration Information: Print from the school system for the upcoming school year, including the player’s name, address, date of birth, and grade. For RCSD students, follow specific instructions for Returning Student Registration.
- Letter of School Verification: A letter from the school office on official letterhead, including the player’s details (name, address, DOB, and grade), signed and stamped.
- Cheer Only: For athletes 8u and up, submit a copy of the birth certificate in addition to the school verification.
Medical Release Form: Signed and stamped by a physician, with a physical completed after April 1st
Volunteer Deposit Check: $500 (separate check per athlete)
Football Equipment Deposit Check: $300

FAQ's

Are there exceptions to the boundary requirement?

Priority will be given to athletes who currently live in the West Park High School boundaries.
Athletes with a parent or legal guardian who teaches at West Park High School will also be allowed to register, in accordance with current RJUHSD enrollment guidelines.
Consideration will be given to athletes outside the high school boundaries/RJUHSD enrollment guidelines only when it is necessary to field a full team/squad.
- SYF minimum football roster requirement is 11 athletes, as required on the field. However, SYF rulebook notes 18 athletes per team roster is ideal.
- Maximum cheer roster allows for no more than 32 athletes on a competition mat. However, cheer roster size may vary based on competition strategy.
Requests for exception will be reviewed by the West Park Jr Panthers executive board and Registrar on a case-by-case basis and should be emailed to registrar.wpjp@gmail.com by April 1^st of each year.
- Requests will be evaluated by April 15^th of each year.
- If an exception is granted, it will only be valid for the current season and only applies to the ability to register.
  - When football team registration exceeds 40 players for that age group, all registered athletes must participate in try outs to be considered for final team rosters.
  - All registered cheer athletes must participate in evaluations/try outs to be considered for final squad rosters.
- The Executive Board reserves the right to make additional exceptions when a team roster is under 18 athletes.

What about athletes who played/cheered in previous seasons and do not reside within the WPHS boundaries?

Recognizing this is a new policy, 2025 will be a transition year. Any athlete who has played/cheered a minimum of two football seasons between 2021 and 2024 will be able to register for the 2025 season.
Priority will be given to athletes based on the number of seasons they have participated in the program and their current standing with the WPJP.

What about future seasons?

While we believe the area within West Park High School boundaries will provide a healthy interest of athletes, consideration will be given to athletes outside the high school boundaries only when it is necessary to field a full team/squad.
Requests for exception will be reviewed by the West Park Jr Panthers executive board and Registrar on a case-by-case basis.

How does this align with SYF guidelines?

Based on the 2024 SYF Rulebook SYF shall consist of an even number of teams if applicable. All of which must be supported by and affiliated with their local feeder high school and coaching staff.
Teams will be encouraged to recruit participants who reside within their high school student enrollment boundaries.
Placement of out of boundary participants is authorized, but should be done as a last resort to fill team/ association needs.

West Park Jr Panthers (WPJP) is committed to keeping program costs reasonable. To help ensure every athlete can participate, the WPJP Executive Board of Directors will budget funds annually, to provide financial assistance to athletes/families who are unable to afford the cost of registration for the football/sideline cheer season.
Two levels of financial assistance are available. The number of scholarships awarded will be based on the budgeted funds for the year and the number of applicants we receive.

To qualify, please submit a written request for scholarship to President.wpjp@gmail.com by April 1^st.
- Families must be in good financial and social standing to qualify for a scholarship (no past due balances nor code of conduct violations).
- The Executive Board will review all applications and respond by April 10^th.
- One scholarship per family per calendar year will be allowed.
When a scholarship is approved, the parent/guardian will be required to sign a scholarship agreement, which requires adherence to the SYF code of conduct as well as completion of additional volunteer time above the required hours per athlete.
- Full registration scholarships = DOUBLE the required volunteer hours
- Partial registration scholarships = Required volunteer hours + HALF required volunteer hours
- Approved scholarships cover the registration fees ONLY. Cheer uniform and optional item costs will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Failure to meet the additional volunteer hours will exclude your athlete from playoffs, cheer competitions, end of the year parties or awards, and may exclude your athlete from participating in the following football/cheer season, cheer competition season, or Jr STUNT team and/or receiving future scholarships.

For any questions, contact Rania at registrar.wpjp@gmail.com