Season Information

To ensure the success of our cheer team, we expect all participants to treat one another with genuine respect.  It is the cheerleader’s responsibility to make cheering a positive and enjoyable experience for self, fellow students, and school staff. All participants are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of conduct, courtesy and consideration toward others and present themselves as leaders/role models for the school and community. This includes those on your team, as well as anyone else with whom you may come in contact.

We expect each cheerleader’s cooperation and commitment to the following rules and regulations to help us meet this goal.

Infractions to certain parts of this contract will result in staying after practice/during practice for conditioning. 

During the school year this can result in the athlete having less time to get ready before school. As a rule, coaches are only required to make sure that athletes are released from practice in time to get to class. 

Some infractions depending on severity may result in loss of cheering at games, performing in halftimes or assemblies and being removed from the mat. 

RULES 

1) Behavior:  Cheerleaders are expected to be role models within the school and community. This means following rules and keeping grades acceptable. We take the reputation of our program and of each athlete very seriously and have high expectations for behavior and conduct. 

   a. Disobedience on campus resulting in a consequence given by the admin (excluding dress code violations) cheerleader will be benched for one game.

    b. Out of School Suspension from school will result in immediate removal from competitions and possibly from the team depending on the severity of infraction. 

c. Illegal activity will not be tolerated. Cheerleaders involved in any way with smoking, alcohol, illegal drugs, vandalism, theft, or any other type of behavior that is judged by the cheer staff to be detrimental to the health, well-being, or safety will be an IMMEDIATE REMOVAL from the team. 

**Cheerleaders are expected to communicate with coaches should academic, social, or behavioral issues arise that could affect these contractual obligations. 

 2)  Attendance: Cheerleaders are expected to attend ALL cheer practices and events. We ask that parents give us all scheduled vacations/trips at the beginning of the season. With illnesses such as headache/nausea/menstrual symptoms or any injuries (unless stated by Dr.) you are expected to come and sit out in the correct practice attire or do as much as you can. Missing practice affects the whole team and can set us back during competition season. Once an athlete misses three practice days in a one month period they may forfeit their spot in a routine. If an athlete missing three of the seven games to cheer at they may forfeit their spot in a routine. 

a.    Bereavement, weddings, religious events, homecomings or farewells, birth of a direct family member, contagious illnesses with Dr. note, are not counted against the athlete.     

b.     Routine Dr/Dentist appointments, grooming appointments, birthday parties, unscheduled out of town visits ARE COUNTED against the athlete. 

c.      TARDINESS: We start practice at 6:05, that means shoes on, jewelry off and mats are being rolled out by 6:05. Athletes who are not ready at 6:06am are considered tardy. Athletes will run ONE LAP per ONE minute late. 

**Every situation is different and we are sensitive and understanding to that, please come talk with coaches as issues arise to discuss as needed.

3) Communication Protocol: All official communication for the season will be done through the Band App. It is the cheerleader and parent's responsibility to stay updated by checking the app regularly. All communication must include the Head Coach, whether it's a message to the group or a private message. If needed, you may message both the Head Coach and Assistant Coach together through the private messaging feature in the Band App. Please refrain from using other personal forms of communication for team-related issues unless otherwise directed. This helps maintain professionalism and keeps all correspondence organized and accountable.

4)  Uniforms – Cheerleaders will wear their uniform or gear at every practice, game, performance, competition, or event as scheduled unless otherwise stated by the coach. No member may alter their uniform in any way other than instructed by a coach. Every member must adhere to the coach's dress code at all times. Every piece of uniform must be on and performance ready including but not limited to; shoes, bow, hair, socks, skirt, liner, shell. You are expected to be prepared with all items BEFORE every practice, game, performance, competition or event. You may NOT borrow another athletes gear or uniform pieces including bow. Doing so will result in the benching or after practice conditioning of both athletes. Stealing another persons gear will result in IMMEDIATE loss of your spot on the mat or routine. We do NOT tolerate the purposeful theft of another athletes property. 

If you are not wearing correct uniform for game or performance:

1st offense: Benched until item can be retrieved and brought to athlete. 

2nd + offense: Benched for the entire game. NO MATTER IF ITEM IS RETRIEVED. 

**If you have lost an item it will be your responsibility to have that item re-ordered with the coach. Additional charges may apply as it can not be ordered in bulk.

 5) Practice Gear: We have set practice gear for each day and it is expected you wear the correct gear. This is important as coaches when cleaning routines. When everyone matches coaches are able to watch the team as a whole. When one person is wearing something different, it is a distraction to coaches. Incorrect practice gear will result in 10 minute conditioning at  practice. 

6) Tumbling Requirements: We require everyone to take tumbling throughout the season. We have a tumbling coach that everyone will go to that we have assigned. Her name is Coach Ashley. She has worked with Black Canyon for many years and has extensive experience in tumbling instruction. We want all athletes to attend the same coach to ensure consistency in training, skill development, and execution during performances. Uniformity in skills is crucial to our team’s success. By being a Black Canyon Cheerleader, you are required to attend tumbling once a week at her home. She will assign class times based on your individual tumbling level. Failing to attend scheduled tumbling sessions can affect your placement on the mat or in routines.

7)  Social Media – All cheerleaders are expected to abide by the same standards of behavior both at school and in social media communications. Example – we expect no cyberbullying behavior, profane, lewd or inappropriate pictures, comments, posts, videos, or texts and no illegal paraphernalia or acts pictured at any time. There should be no put downs or insults to other classmates, cheerleaders, adults, or teams. Posts/Videos/Texts that do not comply can result in removal from the mat or routine and benching of games. Any illegal behavior is an immediate dismissal from the team after investigation.

8)  Fingernails and Jewelry: Fingernails must be athletic length at all times. (Nails not visible when palms are facing out). Acrylic nails are ​never acceptable. We do not allow jewelry at practices, games or performances. This includes but is not limited to, ear piercings, facial piercings, belly piercings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets. New ear piercings will need to be covered completely with bandages. ALL JEWELRY MUST BE COMPLETELY REMOVED FOR COMPETITIONS (no exceptions will be made). Jewelry left on will result in 10 minute conditioning at or after  practice. 

Competitions/Games/Events Expectations

1)      Practicing cheers in uniform or not knowing material is never acceptable. We aim to look professional at every performance. Any cheerleader who does not know material will be asked to sit out. 

2)      Any member who is absent or can not participate in a  a practice directly before a performance, competition, assembly can be benched from that event. Students must be at school on game days or will sit out for that game unless approved by AD and/or coach. 

3)      You are always “on duty” at events. No cell phone usage during practice, fundraisers, competitions and games, excessive chatting to other members, socializing with friends during games, eating during games, gum chewing or not participating in cheers.

  4) Boyfriends/girlfriends are OFF LIMITS while in uniform or otherwise representing Storm Cheer.  

There is no hugging, "hanging on", sitting in laps, flirting, kissing, piggy back rides, holding hands, sitting in the stands etc with other students while in uniform. Violation of this rule will result in 10 minute conditioning at practice. 

5) Parents are responsible for their child's transportation to and from events. The team will meet and leave together for off campus events. We will not know the time for such events until 2 weeks before the event. Even then, the schedule may change. We will inform parents as soon as we are notified of the schedule and any changes.

MAT EXPECTATIONS:

We would love for each athlete to be in at least one routine during competitions, but this is not alwasy the case and not guaranteed. As coaches we strive to give each athlete every opportunity to improve their skills, but in the end it is up to the individual to put in the time and effort.  Being placed on the mat is at coaches discretion and is based on skills, work ethic, behavior, progression, and practice and game attendance. However being placed on the mat or in a routine is a PRIVILEGE, not a right. Your placement on the mat can change in a moments notice. YOU CAN LOSE YOUR SPOT in any competition for the following:

1. Frequent absences at practices or games or repeated scheduling conflicts

2. Lacking necessary skills needed for the routine.

3. Not knowing material (practicing at home will be crucial)

4. Consistent poor attitude to coaches or fellow team mates

5. Not practicing fully or consistent excuse making

6. No marked progress from month to month

Showing up and working hard at practices, spending time at home and at practice learning all material, having a good attitude to the team and coaches, being a great role model and striving to reach your goals will only increase your chances to make the mat. 

**Monies paid will not be refunded due to missing events for behavioral/grade infractions. 

  SPORTS/CLUBS/ALL-STAR

            We encourage and support athletes to play, participate and join any other sport, club or activity. This is the time to explore all the things you might love to pursue. However, your first obligation is to Storm cheer. If there is consistent conflicts during practice times or conflicts during competition or performances you may lose your spot on the mat. We will do our best to work with you and your coaches’ schedules, but can not promise a perfect resolution. You are required to provide us a schedule of your other teams practices/games/competitions. 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

ATHLETE FEES ARE PUT ON POWERSCHOOL WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF MAKING THE TEAM. Parents can pay these fees at their own pace with the following  required payments:

May 6th   - $256.00

June 3rd- $249

July 1st -$205.50

August 5th-$181

*Shipping will estemated at $50 until we know the exact cost after we place the order. This estimate is included in the numbers above.*

**Failure to pay full balance will result in the cheerleader being benched from Girls Games until payment is made. Cheerleader will still be allowed to compete.

Cheerleading is a large commitment with both time and finances. During competition season it can be grueling and difficult to manage school, sports, and taking time for yourself. We encourage you to focus on learning to manage your time wisely to make sure you can meet all of your obligations. We have an open door policy as coaches and encourage cheerleaders and/or parents to communicate with coaches as often as necessary. This ensures we work together to create a great experience for your cheerleader and the team.

It is required to learn and master each of these chants by August. Click on the link below to learn each one. 

www.youtube.com/@blackcanyoncheer6060/videos 

Please read, understand, and follow these rules. Uniforms are not only very expensive, but they also take 6-8 weeks to make. If you ruin your uniform you could be out of all competitions, performances and games until it is replaced. 

THE FIRST WASH is the most important! Do not exceed temperatures recommended on the care label. Warm water is recommended for the 1st wash and then cold water for all subsequent washes. Each garment should be washed separately (i.e. wash shell by itself, then skirt, etc…) Use a mild detergent, without fabric softener. Tide is recommended. Do not use bleach. If the initial washing instructions are not followed, the colors may bleed onto one another. If this happens, wash the garment AGAIN (before drying), following the instructions above. 

ALWAYS remove the garment promptly from the washer once the cycle is completed. Leaving the garment in the washer for prolonged periods of time can cause the fabrics to bleed and/or leave unsightly wrinkles in the garment. 

DO NOT machine dry the uniform. Once the uniform has been washed, immediately hang it up to dry. 

DO NOT dry clean the uniform. Dry cleaning can yellow the uniform or leave an unsightly sheen. Dry cleaning also causes tackle twill lettering to fade, bubble, or stiffen. 

NEVER USE fabric softeners Fabric softeners block the soil release properties (Visa treatment) and can cause dirt and stains to resist