The Wareham Tigers geared up at Palmer Field on Saturday, Aug. 4 with new uniforms and a cookout for the upcoming season.

Despite pouring rain, team energy was high with over 300 kids registered in either tackle football, flag football or cheerleading.

"We've seen a lot of success," said treasurer Mary Hicks. "So it's exciting to get underway."

This year, the Wareham Tigers will leave Pop Warner to join the Old Colony Youth Football League in an effort to keep games closer to home.

As members of Old Colony, the Tigers will also be able to fundraise and organize throughout the year.

"We used to say we were a fall family," said secretary Jody Santagate. "But now we're a year round family."

Flag football marks the newest addition to the Wareham Tigers with six full teams. The program is free for kids ages 5 to 7.

"We got somewhere between 42 and 45 to sign up," Hicks said. "So it's a success before we've even started."

Outside of games, the Wareham Tigers work to give back to the community through programs like Don't Trash Wareham and the Church of the Good Shepard Food Pantry.

The first home game for the Tigers will be on Sept. 9 at Spillane Field.