Sports and Recreation

League football beyond the scholastic realm is offered primarily by two organizing bodies, the Pop Warner program and Brunswick County Parks and Recreation. Look into registration in May or June as most teams commence practice early in August.

Coastal Pop Warner 
(910) 798-2141

Pop Warner organizes tackle football and cheerleading teams for boys and girls age 7 through 14 in Pee Wee, Junior Pee Wee, Midget and Mighty Mights divisions. Flag football for 5- and 6-year-olds is offered, too. More than 1,800 youngsters in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties participate in the Pop Warner program each year. Games are played at Ogden Park (see the Parks section at the end of this chapter).

Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation
1 Bob Sawyer Dr., Wrightsville Beach

(910) 256-7925

A flag football 7-on-7 adult league sponsored by Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation is offered in both spring and fall. The cost is $365 per team.

Brunswick County Parks and Recreation
Parks & Recreation Bldg., Government complex, Bolivia 
(910) 253-2670, (800) 222-4790 

There are two American Youth Football Leagues: one is for 10 to 12 year olds and the other for children younger than 9. There are six county teams for 10 to 12 year olds: Leland, Southport, Shallotte (2), Lockwood Folly and Town Creek. The five county teams for children age 9 and under are: Leland, Southport, Shallotte (2) and Town Creek. A child must weigh 150 pounds or less in shorts to participate in the 10 to 12-year-old group and 119 or less for the 9 and under group. Practice begins in August. Games begin in September and last until the first weekend of December. All games are played on Saturday nights at North Brunswick High School, South Brunswick High School and West Brunswick High School. Registration fee is $40 per child.

Oak Island Recreation Department
3003 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
(910) 278-4747, (910) 278-5518 

The Oak Island Recreation Department offers flag football during the sping and fall months with a choice of two leagues: an Open League for anyone interested and a Business League for participation of a company's employees. Team registration begins in early August for the the fall league and in February for the spring league.