Foxborough, MA -- The New England Patriots have teamed up with Fidelity Investments to help send eight regional Pop Warner football and cheerleading teams to the annual Pop Warner Super Bowl this weekend. The national championships take place at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, FL, beginning on December 3.
Among the 64 teams competing for the championships are eight representing Massachusetts and Connecticut. They include:
- Dorchester Eagles of Massachusetts (Jr. Midget)
- Everett Huskies of Massachusetts (Pee Wee)
- Holliston Panthers of Massachusetts (Pee Wee)
- Worcester Vikings of Massachusetts (Jr. Pee Wee)
- New Haven Steelers of Connecticut (Midget)
- Waterbury Patriots of Connecticut (Jr. Midget)
- West Haven Seahawks of Connecticut (Jr. Pee Wee)
- West Haven Seahawks of Connecticut (Midget )
Together the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation and Fidelity Investments have contributed nearly $40,000 to offset travel expenses for the teams. Each team is required to raise funds to pay its own way to the competition in Florida.
"The Kraft family and the New England Patriots have a long history of supporting Pop Warner programs throughout New England," said Rena Clark, Vice President of Community Affairs and Corporate Philanthropy for the New England Patriots. "We understand the financial demand that come with youth sports, and we are pleased that we can help to defray the cost of this once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of these programs."
This is one of several initiatives that the Patriots and Fidelity have undertaken in support of Pop Warner New England. On August 1, the organizations donated more than 400 helmets and additional pieces of equipment to four start-up teams in the region. At a recent Patriots home game, Fidelity offered commemorative Patriots/Pop Warner pins for a donation of $5 to Pop Warner. Fidelity and the Patriots Charitable Foundation will close out the season by presenting the 'Fidelity Investments Inspire the Future Award' to recognize an individual's dedication to youth football and their role in helping develop sportsmanship and teamwork in young adults.
"Fidelity is pleased to continue its partnership with the Patriots and support worthy community programs such as this," said Jennifer K. Brown, EVP, Communications Services for Fidelity Investments.
In order to advance to the Pop Warner Super Bowl, a team must win its respective League Championship as well as the Regional Championship. Each advancing team is guaranteed to play two games at the Super Bowl, with a Tomlin and Warner Champion being crowned in each age-weight division and competition level.
