CHEER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What are the age requirements for the cheer program? 

Players are eligible to cheer if they are entering 1st through 8th grade, and are no older than 14 years of age as of July 31st of the current year.

Q: What is the cost to register and what does the fee include? When is registration?

Registration ends on July 1st. ALL registration is online.

NATIONAL TRACK COMPETITION TEAMS (GRADES 1-8)

Registration fee is $400

Uniform Purchase: New for 2025, cheerleaders will purchase their uniforms to keep, which will be used for a minimum of 2 seasons. Uniform fittings and additional information will follow!

Uniform Price: $300

*All cheerleaders will receive a practice t-shirt or tank, pom poms, and two bows. Additional cheer apparel will be available for purchase. Athletes will be responsible for purchasing cheer shoes.

Q: What is the Refund Policy

100% if registration is withdrawn for any reason before August 1st

50% before August 15

No refund after August 15th 

If a uniform is purchased, this fee is non-refundable!

Q: What paperwork needs to be handed in, and how? 

All paperwork needs to be submitted by July 15th. There will be two opportunities to submit paperwork. We will collect all completed paperwork at the uniform fitting in June (date & location TBD). If you cannot attend the June uniform fitting, you must attend on July 15, 2025 (location TBD).

*NEW THIS YEAR* : We cannot accept partially completed paperwork. Please ensure that all forms, including the medical form, are fully completed. We cannot print forms or accept them via email. The following forms must be submitted together as a complete packet for athletes to be cleared to participate. Athletes are NOT permitted to participate in practices without submitting the required paperwork. We will not accept paperwork if any of the following items are missing

Required Forms (AYC will release updated forms in May 2025)

• Participation, Tracking and ID Card AND attach picture of athlete - Page 1 
•  Participation, Tracking and ID Card- Page 2
•  *AYC Medical Clearance Form
•  *Original Birth Certificate (only required if athlete is new to the program)
•  Emergency Medical Treatment 
•  Waiver and Release of Liability 
•  Image Release
•  AYF Code of Conduct
•  Concussion Form
•  Anti-Bullying Form
•  Cheer Team Declaration Statement 

**Please fill in every line. Athletes must initial and/or sign where indicated, regardless of age.

*Original birth certificates and a copy are needed for new cheerleaders only. Returning cheerleaders already have a certified copy from the previous year.

*The Medical Clearance Form must have the doctor’s signature and office stamp. We recommend dropping this form off at the pediatrician’s office for signature ASAP to allow for turnaround time.

*Any questions or concerns about paperwork can be emailed to Kate Sugg, Cheer Registrar, at [email protected].  Paperwork will NOT be accepted via email.  

Q: When are uniform and practice apparel fittings? 

All fittings will be scheduled for June (date TBD) 

Q: What is the summer practice schedule? 

Cheer practices can start as early as Monday, July 28th, 2025. Coaches will communicate the actual start date to each team. During the summer practice weeks, teams will practice 2 days a week. The practice location is typically the upper fields at RHS. All practices are mandatory. Please communicate with your Head Coach if you have a scheduled vacation or family commitment.

Q: What is the practice schedule once school starts? 

Once school starts, we will practice indoors. Your practice schedule will depend on your assigned team, with each practice lasting approximately two hours. Practice schedules will be finalized once teams are formed. All practices are mandatory. Additional practices or extended sessions may be scheduled before competitions.

Q: What is the attendance policy? 

ALL practices, games, and competitions are mandatory. Cheerleading is a TEAM sport, and every member relies on one another to learn and safely perform routines. If your cheerleader will miss a practice or game at any time during the season, please inform the coach ASAP. After three unexcused absences, the coach and the VP of Cheer will determine whether your child may remain on the team.

Q: Do we cheer at games when it rains/snows? 

Yes, if the football team is playing, we will be cheering, regardless of the weather. We will adjust our cheers and halftime routine as needed to ensure the safety of the cheerleaders in inclement weather.

Q: When and where are the football games? 

Football games may begin as early as August 30th. We cheer at home games and select away games, depending on the football schedule. Games can take place on Saturdays or Sundays. The full game schedule will be available by late August, but changes may occur throughout the season, so flexibility is essential.

Attendance at football games is mandatory. If your child is unable to attend, you must notify the Head Coach. Additionally, all cheerleaders must be accompanied by an adult at games. Please review the attendance policy.

Q: How long is the cheer season? 

Football games begin in late August, and the regular season ends in late October. We will also cheer at any postseason games and championships, which may extend through November. Competitions begin in October and typically conclude around Thanksgiving.

Teams in grades 1–8 will compete in the National Track. If your team qualifies for the AYC National Competition in Florida, the cheer season will extend into early December. Teams will also continue to cheer for playoff games that may take place beyond the local and state competition dates.

Q: Will I need my child's original birth certificate for registration? 

All new cheerleaders in our organization must provide an original birth certificate with a raised seal and a copy. The original will be returned after validation in late August, while we will retain the validated copy.

If your child participated in 2024, a birth certificate is not required.

Q: When and where are the competitions? 

• FUN COMP: Saturday- October 4th (Location TBD)
• LOCALS: Saturday- October 18th (Location TBD)
• STATES: Saturday- November 1st (Floyd Little- New Haven)
• REGIONALS (if teams qualify): Saturday- November 8th (Mohegan Sun)
• NATIONALS (if teams qualify): December 3rd -6th  In Florida
• **Dates are subject to change**