The volunteer-run nonprofit behind the Lake Nona Jr. Lions: what it offers, who can play and what a season costs
Lake Nona Youth Sports is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit in southeast Orlando whose teams play as the Lake Nona Jr. Lions. It runs Pop Warner tackle football and cheer, Cheer Elite, flag football, HEROES Lacrosse and AAU wrestling, and offers baseball and softball through South Orlando Babe Ruth. The organization says it serves more than 1,000 children a year, mainly ages 5 to 14, with wrestling and lacrosse running through high school. Most practices are at Heroes Community Park, and tackle football home games are played Saturdays at Lake Nona High School. Each program charges a seasonal registration fee, and a sponsor-funded program covers fees for some athletes.
Parents moving to Lake Nona ask about schools first and youth sports second. For football, cheer, lacrosse and wrestling, the answer is usually the same organization: Lake Nona Youth Sports, whose teams play as the Lake Nona Jr. Lions.
It's a volunteer-run nonprofit, not a club with a front desk, so the details are spread across several sign-up sites. Here they are in one place, with the gaps flagged.
What is Lake Nona Youth Sports?
Lake Nona Youth Sports is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs youth football, cheer, lacrosse and wrestling in southeast Orlando under the Lake Nona Jr. Lions name.
It was incorporated in 2009 and started with football and cheer after a group of parents organized the first meeting. Today it describes itself as the oldest and largest youth sports program of its kind serving Lake Nona. Its tackle football and cheer teams compete in the Mid Florida Pop Warner Conference, and it works closely with Lake Nona High School, whose teams are also the Lions.
Where do the Lake Nona Jr. Lions practice and play?
Most programs practice at Heroes Community Park, tackle football plays home games on Saturdays at Lake Nona High School, and wrestling uses the high school's wrestling room.
Heroes Community Park at 14028 Centerline Dr has four lit fields, which is why football, cheer, flag and lacrosse all practice there in the evening. Home games at Lake Nona High School give younger players a real stadium experience on Saturdays.
What sports does Lake Nona Youth Sports offer?
The organization offers Pop Warner tackle football and cheer, Cheer Elite, flag football, HEROES Lacrosse and AAU wrestling, plus baseball and softball through a partner league.
| Tackle football (Pop Warner) | Ages 7–13 in single-age divisions (8U–13U); fall season from mid-July; practices Mon, Tue, Thu at Heroes Community Park; home games Saturdays at Lake Nona High School |
|---|---|
| Cheer (Pop Warner) | Ages 4–15, from Jr Tiny-Mite to Varsity; late August through October, longer for teams that qualify for regionals and nationals |
| Cheer Elite | Ages 7–17; spring competition season, January through May |
| Flag football | K–2nd co-ed, 3rd–8th grade (with an all-girls division) and high school co-ed; winter and spring seasons; games at Heroes Community Park |
| HEROES Lacrosse | Boys and girls, kindergarten through high school; fall season; practices Tue and Thu at Heroes Community Park |
| Wrestling (AAU) | Ages 5–18; practices in the Lake Nona High School wrestling room |
| Baseball and softball | Ages 4–18 through a partnership with South Orlando Babe Ruth |
Flag football runs through the national Under the Lights league, and lacrosse requires a USA Lacrosse membership. Baseball and softball registration happens on the South Orlando Babe Ruth site.
What do Lake Nona Jr. Lions registration fees cover?
Each program charges a seasonal fee, and for tackle football it includes the helmet, shoulder pads and jerseys.
| Tackle football | Helmet, shoulder pads, and practice and game jerseys (returned after the season) |
|---|---|
| Pop Warner cheer | Practice uniform, bows, uniform and competition fees |
| Cheer Elite | Program fee; the competition uniform and travel cost extra |
| Wrestling | AAU registration and one tournament entry |
| Flag football | Shirt and shorts; discounts for military, first responders and teachers |
Families still buy practice pants, cleats, a mouthguard and a water bottle for football. Refunds, minus a processing fee, are available only before registration closes. Fees change each season, so check each program's registration page for current costs.
What do families need to register?
Pop Warner tackle football registration requires a birth certificate, a physical, the prior year's report card, two proofs of address and an insurance card.
Pop Warner has academic standards, which is why the report card is required. Ages are counted as of a cutoff date each year; for 2026 it was July 14. No boundary or school-zone restriction is published, but because proof of address is required, families living outside southeast Orlando should confirm eligibility with the league before registering.
Is financial help available?
Yes. The Sponsor A Child Athlete program, funded by local businesses, covers fees for families who apply.
Businesses can sponsor one child or several at different sponsorship levels, and families apply through an online athlete application. No income criteria or deadlines are published, so ask early. The organization also runs fundraisers, such as cookie-dough sales to send teams to national competitions.
Pros, Cons and Our Take
Pros
- One organization covers football, cheer, flag, lacrosse and wrestling.
- Practices at a lit city park and home games at the high school stadium.
- Equipment for tackle football is included in the fee.
- Sponsor-funded fee help is available.
Cons
- Volunteer-run, so information is spread across several websites and some pages are out of date.
- Fees change each season and aren't all posted in one place.
- Tackle football practices three evenings a week plus Saturday games, a real time commitment.
- Registration windows and parent volunteer expectations are not published.
Our Take
For families who want organized football, cheer or lacrosse close to home, the Jr. Lions are the default choice in Lake Nona. Go to a Saturday home game before registering to see how the program runs.
What the Neighbors Know
Families in Laureate Park, Isles of Lake Nona, Alora, Laurel Pointe and Eagle Creek are closest to Heroes Community Park, which matters when practice is three evenings a week. For other youth options, see the Lake Nona YMCA, Sofive Lake Nona and our Lake Nona sports and athletics guide.
Official Sources
- Lake Nona Youth Sports
- Lake Nona Youth Sports: About
- Lake Nona Youth Sports: Tackle football
- Lake Nona Youth Sports: Cheer
- Lake Nona Youth Sports: Scholarship
- Mid Florida Pop Warner Conference
Choosing a neighborhood around school and sports schedules? Browse the latest Lake Nona listings, or Call/Text David Myers at 407.801.3286 or use the contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lake Nona Youth Sports?
Lake Nona Youth Sports is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit in southeast Orlando whose teams play as the Lake Nona Jr. Lions. It runs Pop Warner football and cheer, flag football, lacrosse and wrestling.
What does Lake Nona Jr. Lions football registration include?
The tackle football fee includes a helmet, shoulder pads and practice and game jerseys. Families buy practice pants, cleats and a mouthguard. Check the registration page for the current fee.
Where does Lake Nona Youth Sports practice?
Most programs practice at Heroes Community Park, 14028 Centerline Dr. Tackle football home games are on Saturdays at Lake Nona High School, and wrestling practices in the high school's wrestling room.
Is there financial aid for Lake Nona Youth Sports?
Yes. The Sponsor A Child Athlete program, funded by local businesses, covers fees for families who apply through the organization's athlete application.
