Youth Football and Cheerleading – A Reno Dads Guide – Updated for 2023
It’s that time of year again when registration for youth sports is flourishing and parents all over Reno are clearing their calendars for baseball, softball, football, cheerleading, soccer, and every other sport hosting spring and summer leagues.
With so many options, we wanted to compile a list of community and private organizations below concentrating on the younger kids (as most teens are already familiar with their league and options). For those that aren’t, feel free to reach out and we can assist in getting you to the right place.
This article focuses on youth football (tackle and flag) and cheerleading in Reno, Sparks, Tahoe, and Carson City areas. You can check out the Youth Baseball Guide here. Ideally, we would like to compile a resource for other sports, so feel free to share some sports you’d like to know about and we will try to do some digging around for you! If you notice that a league or team is missing from our list or want us to add your organization, please let us know and we can add it.
Tackle Football
Pop Warner
Pop Warner is a national youth tackle football and cheerleading organization for all children between the ages of 5 and 14 with local leagues throughout our region. Their philosophy is to develop well-rounded youth who learn not only the fundamentals of football and cheerleading, but also the importance of education, good sportsmanship, honesty, courage, and respect for authority while at the same time, having a memorable experience that will last a lifetime.
Registration is open now through June with practices beginning in July. Players are assigned to teams geographically and by high school for which they are zoned and players are matched by age levels. Games start in August and go through November when the championship is held.
- Reno Sparks Pop Warner
- Carson City Pop Warner
- Douglas Pop Warner
- Fallon Pop Warner
- Fernley Pop Warner
- Hawthorne Pop Warner
- North Lake Tahoe Pop Warner
- Silver Stage Pop Warner
- South Lake Tahoe Pop Warner
- Truckee Pop Warner
Sierra Youth Football League
Sierra Youth Football League (SYFL) is a local youth tackle football and cheerleading organization for all children between the ages of 5 and 14, prior to any child moving into high school. Teams are based on age level as of July 31. The idea behind this is to keep kids together that will be playing together in high school which brings many benefits to the participants, parents, and the high schools. Players are assigned to teams geographically and by high school for which they are zoned. The sooner children engage in the program, they are able to strengthen and sharpen their skills over the course of many years as opposed to trying to “catch up” when they reach the sport in high school.
Registration is open now through May with practices beginning in July. Games start in August and go through November when the championship is held.
Cheerleading
Sierra Youth Football League
Sierra Youth Football League (SYFL) provides cheerleading for all children between the ages of 5 and 14, prior to any child moving into high school. Cheerleading coexists with the the SYFL football program
Registration is open now through May with practices beginning in July. Games start in August and go through November when the championship is held. The Cheer Competition will be in late October or November.
Pop Warner
Participation in the Pop Warner Spirit Program provides kids an opportunity to perform in an organized, supervised, safety-oriented environment alongside the Pop Warner Football program. Pop Warner programs emphasize fun for all and encourage the development of qualities important long after Pop Warner days are gone.
The participants in the Pop Warner program are unique as opposed to those of other programs. While they are taught about the values of competition, they are also maintaining their grades at a satisfactory level in order to attain the ultimate prize of being named a Pop Warner National Champion. We salute all the efforts and accomplishments that our participants put forward!
Check out the Pop Warner team football links above for more information on your specific cheerleading region and program information.
Five Star Athletics
From competitive teams to recreational classes, Five Star Athletics helps your child develop their cheer and tumbling skills. Established in 2010, they have quickly become the area’s premier training facility. Their classes will help your child gain confidence, make new friends, and develop skills that will last a lifetime.
Five Star Athletics focuses on six core values to create great members of our community. All Things Are Equal, We Before Me, Character Matters, No Excuses, Gossip Free Zone, and Fail Forward.
TNT & PDC Cheer and Dance
TNT & PDC Dance and Cheer studio offers a wide range of learning opportunities for all ages, young and old. The coaching staff has more than twenty years of experience in the dancing field. Registeration is open for new students.
Flag Football
Sierra Youth Football League (SYFL)
SYFL Flag football is for 5 & 6 year olds. Players may not turn 7 before July 31st of 2019. Flag football season will run during the regular football season of August through October.
Swift Sportsdome
The Swift Sportsdome in South Reno (and the Reno Sportsdome in North Reno) offers children ages 5-14 the opportunity to play in the NFL Flag Football League, the largest flag football league in the nation offering a non-contact football experience. Check their website for registration info and dates.
Northern Nevada Sports and Recreation (NNSR)
NNSR Youth Flag Football is an NFL Flag affiliated league played in Sparks, South Reno, Northwest Reno, and North Valleys. The program is for children grades kindergarten through middle school, and with teams divided into age-based divisions. All divisions in the flag football program are co-ed. The youth flag football program is designed to develop and enhance players fundamental skills of passing, catching and defensive abilities in a safe and fun environment. Skills and game strategy are instructed by our volunteer coaches while emphasizing teamwork and sportsmanship. League policy is that everyone is equally engaged in games and practices.
Games and practices are two days a week Monday through Friday after 5:30pm for 50 minutes with no weekend games or practices. Spring Youth Flag Football starts in April and will end the week mid-June. Games are in Sparks, North West Reno, South Reno, and North Valleys.
If you enjoyed this article, check out A Coach’s Promise To Your Kids and Help Me Coach Your Kids, both based on the author’s experience coaching community baseball. As always, thanks for your support.
