For the first time ever, the DeLand Pop Warner Bulldogs cheer team took all five of their teams to the national championships this year, and took home three trophies. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for the group’s hard-won success this season, fueled by the love and passion the coaches have for their cheerleaders.
The Pop Warner team is completely staffed by volunteers, from the coaches all the way up to the board members.
They coach around 300 of the community’s youth to give them confidence and a chance to be a part of something meaningful, not for their own benefit, head coach Jennifer Arrington said, but for the love of their kids.
“We truly love these kids,” Arrington said. “There’s no if ands or why.”
Team breakdown
DeLand Pop Warner Bulldogs has five teams of various age groups that participate in competitions. Each team has its own unique routines that reflect members’ experience levels. The various teams are:
Tiny Mite Ages 5-7
Mitey Mite — Ages 7-9
Junior Pee Wee — Ages 9-10
Pee Wee — Ages 10-11
Junior Varsity — Ages 11-13
What are the competition categories?
Sideline — This is when a cheerleading team does its routines on the sidelines of football games.
Pom — This is a more dance-forward routine that utilizes pompoms, and is more curated for competitions.
Show cheer — This is a more complicated version of the pom competition that is reserved for the older teams, and is likewise usually competition-specific.
A coach and her crew — Jennifer Arrington is pictured with some of her girls on the Nationals stage as they won their trophies. The love that she has for her team is unmatched.
The Pee Wee team (ages 10-11) had an undefeated season in both the sideline and pom categories, from local all through nationals. The Tiny Mites (ages 5-7) also had an undefeated season. Mitey Mites (ages 7-9) placed fifth in the nation for sideline, and Junior Pee Wee (ages 9-10) placed sixth for the same category. Junior Varsity (ages 11-13) also placed fifth and sixth for sideline and show cheer, respectively.
One of the things that sets DeLand Pop Warner apart from the pack is that the teams don’t host qualifying tryouts to join the group. Their motto is that they accept everyone, regardless of experience level, which makes their sweep at nationals all the more impressive.
“We get to turn these children who may have never had a dance class into national champions, and that is an incredible feeling,” Arrington said. “It’s not so much about the winning aspect … but it’s watching these kids grow through the season in their confidence and who they are.”
The children’s parents can see the difference competing has made on their kids. Vanessa Dahl, a mother of a girl on the Pee Wee team, can attest to that.
“I just think it’s been great for her, it’s such a great team and bond of sisters, and they really cheer each other on,” Dahl said, adding, “She loves it. She’s super-excited.” Dahl emphasized how much fun her daughter has competing, and how proud she is of her hard work. Dahl said that none of this would be possible without the amazing Pop Warner coaches.
“She [Arrington] treats these girls like they’re her own daughters…” Dahl said.
“She just loves coaching these girls and being with them. She’s just done an amazing job.”
Arrington has competed in dance and cheer competitions for most of her life, but it wasn’t until after she won a long and arduous battle with cancer that she found meaning in coaching.
“When I went into remission after four years of cancer treatment, I struggled with purpose… How can I make a difference? How can I use my story to give hope to others and push people to never give up?” Arrington asked, adding, “I found purpose again when I started volunteering to coach. These young ladies in their Bulldog uniforms are truly who helped me feel alive again.”
The experience of helping her girls grow into strong confident young women is all the payment Arrington needs, she said. The trophies are just a bonus, because what self-respecting coach isn’t a tad competitive too?
The growth in sign-ups that Pop Warner has seen in the past few years has been incredible, and has contributed to their success at nationals. Eventually, they hope to work their way up to affording to send their kids to the global competitions as well.
Until then, they intend to keep putting in the blood, sweat and tears day-in and day-out to train like champions. But even with all of their accolades, the friendships forged have proved to be the real prize.
“Not that they don’t drive me crazy, because they’re very sassy,” Arrington said. “But I love all of them.”
