HAMMOND - The local Pop Warner youth football program is shifting its focus to become a football club for children across the Calumet area.

Hammond Pop Warner is renaming itself Northlake Pop Warner, and pointing out that it is now open to kids who live not only in Hammond but in Whiting, and the Illinois border communities of Burnham, Calumet City and Lansing, and the Chicago neighborhood of Hegewisch.

Officials with the local program, whose teams are nicknamed the Patriots, say the expanded area will cause them to double their enrollment for their football teams open to children from 5 to 12 years old. The program also sponsors cheerleading teams for girls between 5 and 15.

Children under 8 will compete against others their age, while older children participate on teams competing against kids who are roughly the same weight.

Although one date for registration for the upcoming year took place last week, there will be additional registration opportunities July 8 and 18 at Pulaski Park, 139th Street and Sheffield Avenue in north Hammond. Teams will hold their practices at this park.

Fees are $125 for one child, $175 for two children and $225 for three or more children.

The Northlake program's literature is in both English and Spanish and the teams can accomodate children of both languages.

"This is a program that is about the children, we're about doing whatever is best for the children," said spokeswoman Terry Gibson.

Games are held at the Bishop Noll Institute, 1519 Hoffman St. in Hammond.

Children already registered can participate in the program's display as a part of the Independence Day parade in Whiting.