Cheer Guidelines 2016

Welcome to all our new cheerleaders!Welcome back to our returning cheerleaders!Each of you has an important role with your squad and we look forward to a great season!

Cheerleading has fast become a “real” athletic sport with much physical activity.We want all the girls to have a wonderful experience cheering with us in an environment in which everyone is comfortable.

As such, we ask that each cheerleader and parent read the guidelines detailed below.Please keep in mind that these guidelines have been put in place with the safety and cohesiveness of each squad as our top priority.Kindly sign where indicated, detach and return to your Team Momager prior to picking up your uniform.

It is imperative that all cheerleaders make every effort to come to all practices and games. Cheerleading is a team sport, and it is unfair to the team and coaches if during our very short season this is not made a priority. If just 1 cheerleader misses a practice it can affect stunting and this makes it very hard for the coaches to progress their routines to prepare them for competition. Please note that attendance will be taken and if several practices are missed you may either be asked to sit out or not be allowed to stunt for safety reasons.

Please note that safety is our number one priority, and therefore parents must refrain from interacting with the squad during outdoor practices. We will have a dedicated parents’ area for all outdoor practices.
Cheer Uniforms
The league will provide each girl with:
• Cheer skirt, shell and midriff long sleeve mock turtle neck. These items must all be returned by the end of the season to either Amanda Piccoli or Nicole Giampaola, with your name on the bag it is returned in. If these items are not returned by the last equipment return date, you will be charged a fee of $150.00 to cover the cost of a new uniform.

All remaining cheer accessories have been included in your registration fee:

Sneakers
Bow
Briefs
Socks

No need to purchase anything else. We will be ordering cheer warm-ups this yearwith a portion of the cost being offset by one of FVM's sponsors. The warm-ups will consist ofboth a monogrammed sweatshirt and matching sweatpants. The final expense will be determined once our total roster has been set.

We have become part of the AYC (American Youth Cheer Association) as part of the CTYFC (CT Youth Football and Cheer Conference) this year. As part of this association the following paper work must be handed in for each child. All documents are available on our website under their team page and under the document tab. Here is the list of the required documents:

Participant Tracker Card _____
Emergency Consent Form _____
Medical Release Form _____
Birth Certificate original or certified copy _____
Image Release Waiver _____
Waiver and Release of Liability _____
Concussion Acknowledgement Form _____
Most current report card _____

****Please have all the above documents completed no later than 8/25

CHEERLEADERS & PARENTS:

1) For safety purposes,no jewelry is allowed.Rings, bracelets, necklaces, anklets or any type of earrings are not permitted.Please do not wear hair bands on wrists.
a) The first time a cheerleader shows up at practice with jewelry she will be spoken toby the team Manager/Coach
b) The second time a cheerleader shows up for practice with jewelry the team Manager/Coach will speak with the Parent
c) The third time the cheerleader shows up with jewelry she will be asked to sit down and will not practice or perform depending on whether this is a practice day or game day.
2) Hair should be pulled back in a ponytail for all practices and games.
3) Please, use bathroom facilities before arriving to practice.
4) Fingernails should be clipped and filed.
5) Wear comfortable/appropriate clothing to each practice:T-shirt, shorts, socks, and Cheer sneakers.A light jacket or sweatshirt may be necessary for cooler weather.Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended.
6) No bare feet, flip-flops, sandals or slip-on shoes.
7) No lotion on your arms, legs or hands.
8) No gum chewing.
9) No cell phone use/texting during practice or games.Should an emergency arise, inform a Team Mom or Coach immediately.
10) Bring a water bottle to each practice and game.The bottles should contain clear liquids only (no colored juice, Gatorade, etc.).Dispose of all empty bottles in garbage receptacles.
11) Please, be prompt for all practices and games.If delayed, kindly e-mail or call your Team Mom and she will inform the Coaches.Stunt groups and line formations are difficult to alter and girls who arrive late may have to “sit out”.
12) All cheerleaders should respect their teammates and Coaches.
13) It is vital for safety purposes that Coaches have each girl’s full attention and that they follow directions at all times.Girls receiving more than two reminders will be asked to “sit out”.
14) Check e-mails on a daily basis for any practice/game updates or inclement weather changes.
15) If during a practice or game there is a sudden weather change, please return immediately to pick up your daughter.
16) When dropping off your child for practices/games, please make sure you make visual contact with the Team Moms or Coaches so that no one is dropped off without supervision or picked up. Your children’s safety is imminent.
17) Please be prompt when returning for pick up as the Team Moms must remain until all girls have left.
18) If your daughter sustains an injury or sudden illness during a practice or game, a Team Mom will notify you immediately.Please make sure your contact information is correct and up-to-date.
19) If your daughter sustains any type of injury or temporary physical limitation, please advise a Team Manager or Coach prior to practice or game time.
20) If your daughter has a life-threatening medical condition (bee allergy, etc.) which requires immediate intervention, please remain on hand at practices and games with the proper medication (Epi-pen, etc.).
21) Please do not drop off any siblings or friends during practices or games that will not be supervised by an adult.
22) During games all girls should remain in line formation, focus on the game and await direction from the Coaches.There should be no talking or walking around the sidelines.
23) Half-time is less than ten minutes.This year the squads will be performing during half time. The squad will not be allowed to visit the concession stand during this time.
24) Please refrain from eating pizza, using ketchup and mustard, or drinking colored juices/sports drinks while in uniform.The fronts of the shells (sleeveless vests) are bright white and stain easily.After games the girls may remove the shells and eat anything they wish.
25) The cheer uniform consists of a skirt, shell, midriff, briefs, socks, cheer sneakers and hair ribbon which are to be worn to all games.During warmer weather it may not be necessary to wear the long-sleeved, midriff; however, that decision will be made on a game-to-game basis by your Team Mom.Alwaysbring the midriff with you and be prepared to put it on, if necessary.
26) Please wash the skirt and shell with care, preferably in cold water, and hang to dry.These will be returned to the league at the end of the season.

The MudHogs organization is a self-sufficient entity run solely on a volunteer basis.Every board member, Coach and Team Parent devotes their time to make this league successful.We welcome and encourage all parents to lend a helping hand and ask that everyone respect the dedication of our volunteers.We request that any comments, questions or concerns be directed to either your Team Manager or Cheer Director.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Please sign below, detach and returnby 8/25/2016.

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We have read, understand and acknowledge the above Cheer policies. We agree to follow the rules and help to make this a great Cheer season.

Cheerleader Signature ______Squad ______Date______

Print Name: ______

Parent Signature______Date______

Print Name: ______2016Cheer Season