What is North Port Junior Bobcats?
North Port Junior Bobcats is a youth cheerleading and tackle football program in North Port, FL, serving athletes ages 5–14.
What league do the Jr Bobcats participate in?
Spring — Premier Spring Football (PSF), 8-man tackle & cheer. Fall — American Youth Football (AYF), Southeast Region. See our league & age divisions.
What ages can participate?
Ages 5–14: flag football for ages 5–6, tackle football in 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U divisions, and cheerleading for ages 5–14.
How is playing time handled?
AYF requires a minimum play count for every athlete in every game, tracked during play. Concerns about playing time? Follow the 24-hour rule, then contact Mike Knipp at npjrbobcats@gmail.com — not the coaches on the sideline.
What is the 24-hour rule?
If something at a game or practice upsets you, wait 24 hours before raising it with a coach. Cooler conversations are better conversations — and per AYF rules, parents are never permitted on the field or team sideline. See The Sideline Standard.
Is North Port Jr Bobcats a nonprofit?
Yes. We’re a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization — registration fees, sponsorships, and fundraising all go back into the program: equipment, insurance, field time, and keeping the game affordable for North Port families.
What if the registration fee is a stretch for our family?
Talk to us — we offer scholarships to offset registration fees so every kid in the community has the opportunity to be part of the Bobcat family. Email npjrbobcats@gmail.com and we’ll figure it out together.
When are practices and games?
Typically practices are 3× a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) and games are Saturdays. Cheer may have alternate days from football — once assigned to a team, your coach will give you the schedule. Fall practice starts in July.
How long is each season?
The spring season is five games plus playoffs — recent seasons have kicked off in early March with the championship the first weekend of May. Fall has 8 games with the potential for a bye week, running August–November and potentially into December due to championships.
Do you travel for games?
Each season has a mix of home and away games. Home games are at Larry Thoenissen Field behind the George Mullen Center; away games can be up to an hour away.
What if my kid has never cheered or played before?
We welcome kids of ALL skill and experience levels! Our coaches will prepare them for the field.
What do the programs cost?
Program fees are shown in PlayMetrics when registration opens. Tackle football registration includes 2 personalized uniforms, a bag, a warm-up, and helmet + equipment rental. Cheer includes sideline and competition uniforms, warm-up, bow, bag, and pom-pom rental — cheerleaders cheer our football games plus two competitions. Flag football includes the uniform shirt, shorts, and flag belt. We’re a nonprofit and scholarships are available to offset registration fees — email npjrbobcats@gmail.com.
Bobcat Nation 🐾
