West Chicago Youth Cheerleading Organization 1879 N. Neltnor Suite 245 West Chicago, IL 60185 wegoyouthcheer.com
RULES AND CONDUCT CONTRACT
Practice is held at the West Chicago High School Field House (Entrance C). Cheerleaders must arrive at practice and be picked up from practice on time. Practice is from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays (unless otherwise stated). Starting on 9/6/15 we will be practicing on Sundays. Times will depend on game schedule for your team, but our time slot is from 2-5 pm. Sunday practices are mandatory. This is the only time the high school allows us to use the field house. Cheerleading is not like other sports, in the sense that if a player is missing from practice or games another player may be able to fill in. Each cheerleader has a job. If one cheerleader is missing from a stunt group then that stunt group doesn’t practice.
Practices and games is not the time to be silly and it is not social time with friends. Practices and games need to be taken seriously. Cheerleading can be a dangerous sport. If athletes are not paying attention, people can get hurt. At games, cheerleaders should be listening to their coaches and behaving in an appropriate manner. Remember that we are there to represent and support our football players and our community. It is important that you discuss this with your child. If behavior becomes a problem, your child may be asked to sit out. If your child is having any issues or you have any concerns please discuss this with your coach OUTSIDE the presence of the team and other parents. For further discussion you may bring any issues up with the cheer board.
If your child cannot practice for two consecutive practices, a doctor’s note is required explaining why.
Games usually begin Labor Day weekend 9/5-9/6. We will put out the game schedule as soon as we get it from football. Sometimes we don’t receive it until the week games begin. We only cheer for Home Games. Previously, we cheered for away games, but because we are no longer part of BGYFL, we are not allowed to cheer at away games. Cheerleaders are expected to arrive 45 minutes before the scheduled start time for games. If athletes do not arrive on time they may not participate in the halftime routine.
Once the school year begins the only acceptable excused absences will be illness, Religious Education, and family emergencies. When you registered you child you are making a commitment to their team. Having volleyball, swimming, basketball practice, etc. is NOT an acceptable excuse for not being at cheerleading practice, games, or competitions. You must notify your child’s coach if your child is going to be absent. If a cheerleader has more than 3 unexcused absences, they may be asked to not participate in competition or be placed in a non-vital role in the competition routine. If you know your child cannot participate on any of the following competition dates, you must inform your coaches immediately. Times will be announced closer to dates:
Sunday October 4, 2015 “SHOWCASE” @ West Chicago Community HS West Chicago, IL Saturday October 17 or 18, 2015 “Cheer Revolution” @ Hampshire HS Hampshire, IL Saturday November 7, 2015 “Tumbleweed Ranch” @ The Sears Center Hoffman Estates, IL 4th Grade-8th Grade Only Saturday November 14 or 15, 2015 “One or Two Fling” @ Jacobs HS Algonquin, IL Those teams that receive bids Friday December 4th-6th,2015 “State Competition” @ The Sears Center Hoffman Estates, IL
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. All athletes are expected to treat ALL BOARD MEMBERS, ALL COACHES, ALL JUNIOR COACHES and EACH OTHER with respect. With that said, there should be no eye rolling, back talking, or disregard of any kind. We do not tolerate bullying of any kind. If there are any bullying issues going on please inform your coach
West Chicago Youth Cheerleading Organization 1879 N. Neltnor Suite 245 West Chicago, IL 60185 wegoyouthcheer.com
immediately. This also applies to parents as well. If you have a problem with a coach, Jr coach, child or a spectator, please do not cause a scene in front of the kids. Discuss any and all issues with your coach, and then to a board member.
The West Chicago Youth Cheerleading Organization and The Community High School are not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken items. Generally, Scott Turney is the last to leave the field house. He will pick up any items left behind. Your best bet is to check with him if you are missing something. If your child has a cell phone, it is a good idea to keep it in their cheer bag or give it to their coach during practice or at games. Water gets spilled and things get stepped on.
The West Chicago Youth Cheerleading Organization is run solely by volunteers. There may be the need for additional volunteers. When you register your child with our program, we hope that you are willing to help as needed.
Dress code: Gym Shoes are the only acceptable footwear (No sandals or flip flops) Shorts, leggings, sweat pants should be worn (No jeans or jean shorts, No zippers or snaps) T-shirts or tank tops should be worn (No plunging necklines, No bellies should be showing) Keep in mind that we practice at the high school, high school age boys are regularly around the field house. No jewelry of any kind should be worn (No earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches etc.) Medical Alert bracelets are the only exception but must be taped down. Absolutely No gum, candy, or cough drops allowed during cheer For games, cheerleaders should wear their uniform and cheer shoes with bow in their hair Cheer bags are required at all games with warm up outfit inside when it gets cold outside
Casts/Braces: Hard casts and braces or ones with rough edges must be covered with a soft, padded material to ensure the safety of both the athlete as well as other athletes. Athletes with a hard cast or brace cannot be used as a member of a stunt group or be in any tumbling sequence.
If your daughter loses any piece of her uniform, there will be an addition charge to replace it i.e., bow, crop top. If your shell goes missing, chances are that is cannot be replaced in time for a competition. Please take care of your uniform.
It is the responsibility of the athlete to bring a drink to practice and at games. These kids can be on a hot field for more than 2 hours, please bring plenty to drink.
At the end of the season, cheer bags will need to be returned in the same condition that it was issued to you. If the bag is turned in damaged, you will be charged a fee to replace it. Bows, uniform, and cheer shoes are yours to keep.
The Community High School is kind enough to let us use their Field House for practices. We may lose our privileges there if the high schools equipment gets ruined or damaged. Everyone is responsible for cleaning up their own garbage.
We are all responsible for rolling out the cheer practice mats and rolling them back up. If everyone helps, it gets done in less than 10 minutes. With that said, cheerleaders should be helping roll out mats as soon as they arrive at the fieldhouse and no cheerleaders can leave until mats are put away. This is always a problem, it is not right that some kids help and others just stand around or leave. Everyone has homework and a family to get home to.
West Chicago Youth Cheerleading Organization 1879 N. Neltnor Suite 245 West Chicago, IL 60185 wegoyouthcheer.com
I have read and received a copy of the West Chicago Youth Cheerleading Organization Rules and Conduct form
______Parent/Guardian Signature Date
______Cheerleaders Name Grade (2015-16)