TRI CITY WOLVERINES CHEERLEADING AGREEMENT
TCW Cheerleading was introduced to promote fun, teamwork & competitive sportsmanship. When you decided to cheer you signed on for an important role; to be an ambassador to our organization. It’s important to keep a clean, friendly, approachable appearance. Cheerleaders are a huge part of building spirit & keeping the crowd entertained in any organization & we expect that dedication within ours. You will learn cheers, jumps, chants, dances and stunting which involves dedication and strength. You must always be willing to work hard & cooperate at both practices & games. The key word in your position is cheer. PARENTS: Please read through the following obligations with your athlete explaining each one. Both parent and athlete are required to sign and return to your coach. A copy can be emailed to you upon your request.
GOALS • Have a solid working knowledge of all cheers, chants, and routines in a timely manner, as determined by your coaches. • Be an active listener and accept constructive criticism. Expect changes. • Inspire and lead the crowd while cheering and during any TCW event. • Develop and promote good sportsmanship and team spirit among ALL levels/teams. • Continually improve the reputation and relationship between TCW cheerleading teams/squads and all other league teams/squads and communities. • Strive for cheering excellence at games, practices, and competitions. • Be committed. Make good choices on and off the field. • Wear the proper uniform at all times. This impresses upon the fans that your team is organized, disciplined & can be counted on to represent the organization well. UNIFORMS Each cheerleader is responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged cheer uniform item. Uniforms are to be worn for organization activities only. Do not lend your uniform to anyone outside of the organization. If spirit days are held throughout the season, coaches will notify you in advance if you will be allowed to wear your uniform to school. Stains are to be treated appropriately. Uniforms are to be put in the washer on the cold/gentle cycle alone, or with like clothing. DO NOT PUT YOUR UNIFORM IN THE DRYER. DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER OR BLEACH. Hang it to dry. If you must iron it, make sure you have something between the iron & the uniform such as a towel. Any damaged item will be your responsibility and you will be responsible for the cost of this item. **Uniforms must be returned in the condition received, free of stains. If any uniform is turned in otherwise, parents will be responsible for the cost of it to be cleaned. This fee is 100.00. Parents are also responsible for any lost uniform or uniform that is not returned. This fee is 250.00**
CHEERS, CHANTS, ROUTINES Do every cheer/routine full-out, every time. This means doing facials, being loud, doing all jumps, & sticking all stunts. The way you practice will be the way you perform. If you are practicing half- heartedly, it will be obvious during a performance or competition. Overall, having efficient practices will make practice time easier and performances look better. PRACTICE/GAMES
The key to achieving great cheerleading skills is working as a team to make the most of our practice time. Be committed to your team and coaches. Our team could practice seven days a week, but if the group isn’t maximizing this time together, then progress won’t be made! Please, be on time! There are several other simple things that we, as a team, can do to make practices more productive and efficient.
• Practice times do not include time to dress, put hair up, eat, etc. Be at all practices/games on time, properly dressed with all necessary equipment (i.e. bow, shoes, water, towel, etc). Once practices/games start you will be with your coaches and squad for the duration. Only in an emergency or during special circumstances will you be allowed to ‘visit’ with parents, family, and/or friends. • No jewelry. No gum. No glitter. No nail polish or acrylic nails (for the safety of other cheerleaders). Minimal make up. • Focus on the task at hand to prevent wasted time. That means less talking, and not over- analyzing every little thing that goes wrong. If a stunt falls, just try it again. • Keep any drama off the practice/game floor. Bickering and bad attitudes will slow down or stop any progress made during practice, and will also lower team morale. • Do not use inappropriate language or participate in inappropriate behavior. • Coaches have the right to give consequences for bad attitudes or late arrival to practices/games such as running, conditioning, etc. • No practice or game will be excused without prior approval. If a cheerleader is going to miss practice/game or be late, they must speak to a coach directly, not a captain or another cheerleader
• Any absence from any major cheerleading event (such as competition, competition practice) requires at least a 2 week notice • All cheerleaders must be warmed up and on the sidelines ready to cheer 30 minutes prior to the start of every game and 1 minute before the second half. Everything that is going to be done during the game needs to be warmed up before the game. • Cheerleaders may only wear TCW uniforms during games and warm ups as needed. No other items may be worn with the TCW cheerleading uniform during games. • No cell phones are allowed to be out during practice/games. This not only creates a distraction, but takes important practice time away from you, your coaches & squad. • If a parent or cheerleader has a question or concern about the program it is best to approach the coaches by phone, e-mail or in person, in private. For safety of our cheerleaders, coaches need to make sure their full attention is on each of their squads at all times. Please wait until after practice/game to approach the coaches, again, in private. • All cheerleaders will follow instructions/decisions from coaches at all times. • Cheerleaders will fully participate in sidelines and half time routines unless prior arrangements have been made with coaches • If you want the crowd to get involved, you must be involved, appropriately cheering and stunting throughout the game. Leave the competition stunts on the competition floor. The crowd will notice if you smile and are genuinely happy to be there. • Touchdown traditions are carried out after every score. As long as the team is playing, regardless of score, cheerleaders happily encourage the team to the end. • If there is a bad call and the crowd begins to “boo” do not join them. Counter it the best you can, with a traditional chant to change the crowd’s focus. • At games, every athlete does the exact same thing. Always be in proper lines with hands gently folded behind your back. Cheerleaders set the example, especially during The National Anthem. • Injured Player: Take a knee, where you are, and stay quiet until the player (of either team) has left the field. Clap as the athlete walks off. • Team/Player Introduction: Whether tumbling out in front of the team, making signs to crash through or two lines to run in between, your job is to get the crowd on their feet for the team. Focus is on the team/players, not how well we can stunt or tumble. We cheer for our team during introductions, not against the other team. • Always cheer for the other cheer squads after their performances, regardless of your opinion on their efforts and/or difficulty of routine. Remember, everyone has different skill levels and they work as hard as they can, just as you do. Any whispering, giggling, etc. after a team’s performance will not be tolerated and any athlete caught doing so will be given appropriate consequences (ie. Sitting out, conditioning, etc)
STUNTS
Stunting is very serious. Although we have experienced coaches, there is always a chance, as with any sport, your daughter could get hurt. If all participants follow the rules and guidelines, this can be easily avoided.
While Stunting:
• No laughing/carrying on • No talking (the back spotter is the only one who commands the stunt) • Always watch the flyers hips. Whatever way they are going is where she is going
• Be fully aware of what is happening around you • Use your legs, not your back, when lifting • Flyers - No pants/sweats/loose clothing and no lotion • Do not rush. When people rush, they make mistakes they would not ordinarily make. If you start to feel like you are rushing, calmly announce that and let the stunt come down slowly and safely. You can always try again. • Any time a stunt falls it is an emergency because you must act immediately and effectively or risk a serious injury to everyone involved in the stunt. Each base should know what direction of falling is their primary responsibility to cover. Flyers should know to fall safely with their arms up and not kick or flail their arms or legs.
CAPTAINS
Responsibilities may include the following:
• Help coaches as requested to aid in teaching cheers/chants/routines • Run conditioning before practices (during if needed)
• Call cheers/chants. Help organize and keep squad organized during games • Always provide support to ALL squad members. Treat all squad members the same. • Provide leadership. Always set a good example. • Promote and uphold team spirit and sportsmanship keeping a positive attitude
We may not have captains every season and this decision will be that of the coaches and is final. All participants will have the opportunity to be a team captain (if one is chosen) for the season based on these skills and more: leadership, attitude, organization, listening.
COMPETITIONS • Competition season begins in October. We will prepare for competitions all season long. However, towards the end of the season and as OUR competition dates near, we will start to focus more of our practices towards this. Most practices will be taken up by competition routines with some changes to practice schedules as needed. Please be prepared for this commitment. (Regardless of competition, all girls should have game cheers/chants/dance routines memorized by now). • Competing is a privilege, not a requirement. The TCW Board and coaches will have the final say on whether or not the team will be competing. • Competition practices will be closed to on lookers. The time is very limited to prepare for competition and it is important for our cheerleaders to focus on stunts and routines without distractions. We will however have an opportunity for parents to view final routines prior to competing.
FUNDRAISING All cheerleaders may be asked to participate in additional fundraising outside of our mandatory fundraiser-Charity Mania. Additional fundraising is not mandatory, but will help families pay for other expenses that may arise. More details will be announced as these opportunities arise.
PARADE
Once a season the Tri City Wolverines participate in a local parade. This promotes our organization and helps build team spirit. Again, cheerleaders are a huge part of building spirit and keeping the crowd entertained in any organization and we expect that dedication to continue is all aspects of our organization. Although we do not make this a requirement, we ask that everyone attends. It is a fun filled day and a great bonding experience. If you are not able to attend, please give coaches at least a 2 week notice.
VOLUNTEER FEE We have implemented a $100 Volunteer fee to be handed in before Uniform Handout. If you are not Coaching this season or a Board Member then we are asking you to hand in a check for $100. We will only deposit the check in the event the volunteer hour requirement is met. We are requiring Each family to volunteer 4 hours of their time throughout the season.
A FEW FINAL NOTES: Beginning a new season can be an exciting ride from start to finish, however, the new squad members on your team may be feeling stressed, scared, and anxious! Let the “newbie’s” know how the warm-up process will be, skills to be thrown, and any traditions your squad may have. Let them ask questions they may have and happily address anything that may be going on.
Maintaining good manners is important. As cheerleaders we are the welcoming committee for the visiting team and their fans. They are the guests and cheerleaders are the hosts. Absolutely no “trash talking” of any kind. Do not bring your problems with you to practices/games. As a cheerleader you are always expected to maintain a positive attitude. Always be aware of your physical condition. Continue to work outside of practice to keep in shape for yourself, coaches, and your squad. Always be prepared for more detailed information at practices. Practice changes will be given as far in advance as possible however occasional changes may need to made at the last minute based on availability of the space/school where practicing, weather, etc. All coaches are dedicated and volunteer their time and disrespect to coaches or other squad members will not be tolerated. All material, music, cheers, routines, etc. are property of TCW and are not to be used or duplicated for any other purpose including, but not limited to, school squads. Social media is a huge factor in today’s world. Do not post anything negative about your squad, coaches, organization, league, or any other squads or athletes you may come into contact with throughout the season. POSITIVE posts are encouraged. Team mom’s will be selected for the season. They may be asked to assist at practices and/or games. Be respectful of their decisions and authority as well.
Know Your Role. As TCW’s most visible athletes, remember it’s not about you - it’s about building spirit and a sense of community at all events as a team. Whether cheering at games, running a pep rally, hosting visitors, or competing, always conduct yourself in a manner that brings enthusiasm and pride to our team and unity to our organization. Understand this is a COMITTMENT and the organization depends on each and every one of you to fulfill your responsibilities. Be committed every day, every practice, every game. Being a cheerLEADER and not giving up on yourself or your squad demonstrates strong character. Be proud to be a WOLVERINE CHEERLEADER! We are excited you chose to be a cheerleader with the Tri City Wolverines and we welcome you to our program. Let’s have some fun! Please sign and return next page.
I understand, respect, & promise to abide by these rules and requirements while cheering for the Tri City Wolverines. Student/athlete ______Date ______Parent/Guardian ______Date ______TCW will provide the following items which are to be returned at the end of the season in proper condition: shell, skirt, crop. Also included are all of the competition fees. TCW will provide the following items which are yours to keep: warm up jacket, warm up pants, game bows, briefs/spanx (to be worn at EVERY game). You must provide the following: ALL white cheer appropriate shoes, ALL white no show socks. Changes may happen throughout the season and other expenses may arise as needed. The responsibility of payment will be determined by TCW board.