UNION CHEER PROGRAM TRYOUTS

Transcription

1 UNION CHEER PROGRAM TRYOUTS All candidates who are interested in trying out for a Union Cheer squad need to understand that there are specific responsibilities and obligations which your son/daughter must assume in order to qualify and remain part of the squad. These obligations will remain for the entire school year. All cheerleaders will be considered athletes and will follow guidelines under the Union Public Schools Athletic Department. As a leader, your child will be held to a higher standard and expectation of the coaches, teachers, and school administrators. Being a member of the Union Cheer Program has many rewards and is a valuable experience they will remember for a lifetime. Additionally, your son/daughter will provide pride, leadership, and enthusiasm to their school, peers, and community through their dedication to the Union Cheer Program! While tumbling is a very important aspect to our sport and during try-outs, it is not the only deciding factor for squad placement. We are looking for the All Around young women to positively represent Union Cheer. The Union Cheer Program consists of an 8 th grade squad, a 9 th grade squad and/or two JV squads, and a Varsity squad. Decisions on the type of squads will be determined tryout week. Many factors are taken into account when determining the type of squads that will be offered for candidates each year. Coaches and the Union athletic administration staff determine what they feel will best represent the Union Cheer Program as a whole, while looking at the number of athletes that try-out and the scores that they receive try out week. Our goal is to offer squads that facilitate both squad and individual growth. This insures that we not only have a successful year as a squad, but that each cheerleader grows as an athlete, personally, socially, and academically. Eighth Grade Cheer Squad The eighth grade squad will consist of eighth graders only. All team members will attend the Union Eighth Grade Center in the Union Public Schools. Cheer is not considered a class during the school day. All practices will be held 2-3 times a week, before school. Additional after school practices may be added as competitions near. The eighth grade squad will cheer at football and basketball games. The squad will attend any other events, community service, and local competitions deemed necessary by Athletics and the coaches. This squad may attend local and state competitions. Additional practices may be necessary for these performances. The squad will also have weekly tumbling classes in order to improve tumbling skills as a squad. Some fundraising will be required in order to cover some of the expenses. Ninth Grade Cheer Squad and/ or JV White The ninth grade cheer squad will consist of primarily ninth graders only. All team members will attend the Union 9 th Grade Center in the Union Public Schools. Your student will have cheer as their zero and first hour throughout the school year. All team members will receive an academic grade for this class. Practices are typically held before school and during first hour. (Practices start around 7am each school day.) Cheerleaders then have a portion of first hour to get dressed for the school day. The ninth grade squad will cheer at football games, basketball games, and some wrestling events. The squad will attend any other events, community service and competitions deemed necessary by Athletics and the coaches. This squad may attend local, regional, and out of state competitions. The squad may have evening/weekend practices as necessary to prepare for camp, pep assemblies, competition, etc. The squad will also have weekly tumbling classes on Wednesday mornings. Various fundraisers will be required in order to cover some of the expenses. 1

2 Junior Varsity Cheer Squad/ or JV Red The junior varsity cheer squad will consist of freshmen, sophomores and juniors. All team members will attend the Union 9 th Grade Center or Union High School in the Union Public Schools. Your student will have cheer as their zero and first hour throughout the school year. All team members will receive an academic grade for this class. Practices are held before school and during first hour. (Practices start around 7am each school day.) Cheerleaders then have a portion of first hour to get dressed for the school day. The squad will also have weekly tumbling classes on Tuesday mornings. The junior varsity squad will cheer at football, basketball, some wrestling, and possible volleyball events. The squad will attend any other events, community service, and competitions deemed necessary by Athletics and the coaches. This squad may attend local, regional, and out-of-state competitions. The squad may have evening and weekend practices as necessary to prepare for camp, pep assemblies, competition, etc. Various fundraising will be required in order to cover some of the expenses. These fundraisers may occur during the evenings and weekend. Varsity Cheer Squad The varsity cheer squad will consist of mainly seniors and juniors with some sophomores and a limited number of freshmen. All team members will attend the Union 9 th Grade Center or Union High School in the Union Public Schools. Cheer is considered a class during the school day throughout the school year. Cheer will be during zero and first hour. All team members will receive an academic grade for this class. Practices are held before school and during first hour. (Practices start around 7am each school day.) Cheerleaders then have a portion of first hour to get dressed for the school day. The squad will have afternoon or evening practices or weekend as essential for preparing for camp, pep assemblies, competitions, etc. The varsity squad will cheer at football, basketball, some wrestling, and possible volleyball events. Participation at other sporting events may also be required. The squad will attend any other events, community service, and regional/state*competitions deemed necessary by Athletics and the coaches. The varsity squad will also attend a national competition**. Participation in competition is not mandatory; however, the coaches strongly encourage all team members to participate in order to continue the strong tradition of Union Cheer. All team members will be required to attend and fundraise for competitions. The squad will also have weekly tumbling classes on Monday mornings. Frequent fundraising occurs at the varsity level. Fundraisers involve the help and support of both cheerleaders and parents. The fundraisers do involve time in the evening and on the weekends. Coaches want to reiterate that varsity cheer is a time commitment and requires each cheerleader to be organized and utilize their time wisely in order to be a successful student-athlete. If athletes would like to hold a part-time job, the coaches ask that girls present calendars to their managers beforehand and must realize that last-minute school events do arise. Conflicts with work schedules are not excused. If team members would like to participate in All-Star cheer squads or additional sports, athletes must understand that Union Cheer comes first, and we ask that they communicate with coaches regarding scheduling issues. *It is an OSSAA ruling that only 20 girls are allowed on the OSSAA Regional and State floor. The 20 team members will be selected by the coaches based on skill level, building groups, attitude/effort, and physical abilities. **Division will be determined by Athletics and coaches. The decisions will be made in the best interest of the entire squad. 2

3 Tumbling Requirements (8 th -Varsity) Each cheerleader will be expected to maintain the tumbling passes that are displayed at tryouts in order to make the respective team. Therefore, the skills will be performed on a weekly basis and must be mastered on the surface that the squad is performing on that week. If a team member is unable to meet his or her obligations, they will be benched for performance that week. As in every sport, in anticipation for games, coaches expect players to be prepared and perform their sport to certain ability. The following are the tumbling requirements for each squad: 8 th grade Squad- Round off Freshman Squad and/or JV White- Running round-off back-handspring preferred but not required Junior Varsity or JV Red- Standing back handspring and a running round-off back-tuck preferred. Varsity- Standing back handspring back-tuck, standing back, running round-off back handspring back-tuck. Toe-back is also highly preferred.* *These are the minimum requirements for varsity! Freshmen and sophomores that possess these skills will not be guaranteed a spot on varsity. Once again, varsity is mainly a junior and senior level team. While Tumbling is a very important part of our program and tryout process, it is not the only aspect we are looking for when selecting Union Cheerleaders. Jumps, motions, performance, timeliness, and overall attitude are also judged during tryout week. We are additionally looking for young ladies who are respectful, academically sound, who love Union, and who love Cheer. All of these characteristics are looked at when selecting teams. PARENT EXPECTATIONS: In order for each Cheer Squad to be successful, we want to encourage involvement in the Union Cheer Booster Club. The Cheer Booster Club is established as a means to support the Program and coaches in a positive manner. The Booster Club is NOT a means to make decisions for coaches. Please keep in mind that coaching decisions are made in the best interest of the entire squad. All coaches want the best for the program and each individual cheerleader. The following lines of communications will be followed for the upcoming year: 1) Cheerleader discusses concern with their coach. 2) If the concern cannot be resolved through this discussion, the Coach will then discuss the concern with the parent either via or phone. 3) If the concern is still unable to be resolved, the coach will discuss the concern with the Varsity coaches. 4) Coaching staff and concerned parent will be able to resolve any concerns. *All concerns need to be addressed with coaches rather than the athletic directors. Our goal is to work together and have open communication so that we can have a successful year/experience for each candidate. Please keep in mind that coaches have other responsibilities and commitments outside of cheerleading and it is asked that parents respect their personal and professional time. We look forward to an exciting and successful year! 3

4 Union Cheer Program Expectations Expectations at Clinic/Tryouts Attend clinic and fully participate each day Be on time to clinic in order to start learning material promptly each day Give 100% at mock tryouts on Tuesday Have a good attitude and be attentive to the coaches and those teaching the material No jewelry should be worn all week Come to tryout with a clean, All-American appearance hair pulled up with bow, shirt tucked in, etc. Please understand that limited individuals who are upcoming 9th and 10th graders will make the varsity team. Teams are broken down by the natural break which includes tryout scores and coach recommendations. When being pulled up early- academics, age, maturity, and potential building groups are considered. Please encourage your daughter to be proud of each team and support the squad that she makes. Each team will push your cheerleader to improve throughout the year! Expectations of being a Union Cheerleader Attendance/Practice Schedule Attend practices as scheduled by the coaches All events on the monthly calendars are mandatory. (Older girls should provide calendar to employer in order to take off work. Work is NOT excused!) Come to practice with a good attitude and willingness to work hard. Union Cheer and squad practices come before All-Star Cheer. All-Star practices are NOT excused. Varsity, JV, and 9 th have practice every school day morning during zero and first hour. Practice typically begins at 7:00am 8 th grade cheer holds practices before school 2-3 days a week and on some weeknights as they prepare for upcoming events. Practice typically begins at 7:00am. Loss of participation in activities ( games, pep rallies, practices and competition) can occur if you are excessively late or absent from practice. Coaches have 100 percent discretion on consequences. At each practice the girls will condition. Varsity, JV, and 9 th will work out with Union s Strength & Conditioning Coach (Coach Kyle) on a regular basis. 4

5 If a family vacation is planned during a practice time, know that your daughter will receive a strike/and or strikes for missing practice. If you are aware of future vacation dates please make sure your coaches are aware of them well in advance so that they can potentially work around it (if possible.) Each squad s season runs from try outs until the next February/March (however each cheerleader will be considered a member of that squad until the end of the subsequent school year). Calendars will be given out to show summer time commitment as well. Varsity s year runs from try outs until mid March of the following year. The varsity basketball squad typically attends the state tournament each year. This tournament typically falls over the first weekend of spring break. Cheerleaders will be required to attend the tournament! Cheering at games is mandatory! It is expected that every cheerleader will cheer at every game that they are scheduled to attend throughout the entire season. Academics Varsity, JV, and 9 th will receive an academic grade for their cheer class Attendance, participation, and efforts are factored into their grades. A grading model will be discussed once your daughter makes a squad. Grades are earned by the cheerleader, not given by the coaches. Grades can be viewed online by parents at anytime. It is not the responsibility of the coach to contact parents about slipping grades. While 8 th grade cheer is not a cheer class receiving an academic grade, the squad will follow the 8 th grade Union Spirit Discipline Contract. 8 th Grade Cheer is coached by Union school employees. It is not under UYFA with parent sponsors. Attending and participation in Tumbling and Strength & Conditioning is not optional. It is a part of your cheerleaders grade. The 9 th -Varsity squad will also follow their team s Spirit Discipline Contract. Please read the contract in order to ensure that you understand the expectations. Once an injury occurs, coaches will ask that the cheerleader sit out until ALL aspects of cheerleading may be performed. This will include football/basketball games and competitions. Therefore, if a team must compete in a smaller division due to injuries, this will be the case. A doctors note (or note from Dan Newman Union sport s trainer) will be required in order to return to activity. In some situations, a SPECIFIC doctor/trainer note will be required if there are any limitations. Tumbling 5

6 Each squad (8th-Varsity) will have a designated tumbling practice with tumbling coaches provided by Union. All girls are expected to be at these practices and participate in the provided tumbling instruction. Each squad s required tumbling skills will be thrown on a weekly basis (on the performance surface) and will determine weekly participation in games/competitions. The girls have been made aware of this at 1 st hour practice. Tumbling is not optional; it is a very important part of our program s success. Lack of effort, un excused absences, or not participating in Tumbling can result in removal from your team or loss of participation in other team activities ( Pep rallies, games, practices or competition) In order to be successful in our program outside tumbling classes or private lessons are recommended. Appearance No visible tattoos, ink drawings of tattoos, or unusual/ unnatural hair colors (including platinum blonde) shall be displayed by Union Cheerleaders. This includes extensions. Union cheerleaders are known for our clean cut, classic look. The coaches have the ability to and will sit a cheerleader out until their appearance within our expectation guidelines. No jewelry should be worn to practice, games, or competitions including belly rings, nose rings, and ear jewelry. Fake nails should not be worn during cheer season. We strongly suggest that you do not get any type of new piercings during the cheer season ( April 2015 March 2016) due to the fact that all piercings need to be removed when in practice, uniform, or while representing Union Cheer. If you are unable to take a piercing out, you will sit out of practice and not participate in ANY cheer related activities until it is removed. Hair will be worn as instructed by the coaches with a designated ribbon or bow. We expect that each girls school day attire is following the school dress code and represents Union Cheer to the fullest. Behavior In and Outside of School To be respectful of all Coaches during practice and outside of practice To be respectful of team mates both inside and outside of cheer Each team member will follow the Spirit discipline contract and Union Athletic Drug and Alcohol contract once they make a squad. Failure to 6

7 follow this contract can result in both disciplinary actions taken by the school and separately by the coaches. Commit to being a Union Cheerleader for the entire season (15-16). This commitment starts in March 2015 and will run through May Bullying, intimidation or harassment of fellow cheerleaders, students, or coaches at practice, after practice, at school, at home, or on any multimedia medium (Facebook, Twitter, Text Messages or by ) is 100% not tolerated by Union Cheer, Athletics, or Union Administration. Any such behavior can result in removal from the Union Cheer Program as well as result in swift actions taken by the school. As a representative of our program there should not be any kind of inappropriate language, references, pictures or references on your daughter s social media accounts (Facebook, twitter, instagram, etc.) Any disciplinary problem that happens at school or outside of school can result in additional consequences ( include removal from the program) by the coaches, even if disciplinary action has been taken by the school. Union Cheerleaders are held to a higher standard by their teachers, coaches and Administrators. Girls need to understand that all rules apply to them and should be an example and leader at school. Travel to and from events All Cheerleaders will travel to and from cheer events by bus or designated caravan. This includes but is not limited to: Football games, Basketball Games, Wrestling events, Competitions, team appearances, and playoff games. If a cheerleader absolutely needs to take another form of transportation home from an event- 48 hour notice needs to be given to coaches in the form of a hand written/signed note from a parent. If 48 hours notice is not given, the cheerleader will have to ride home with the coaches and team. If the cheerleader does not ride home with the coaches and team an AUTOMATIC 1 game benching will be put into effect starting with the next game played. ( This includes Senior night, Jenks/Union, and playoff games) We will not release our cheerleaders to friends or boyfriends. Expectations of Union Cheer Booster Club and Parents UCBC is the overall umbrella of the Cheer Booster Clubs. There is one Varsity Cheer parent who will serve as the UCBC liaison to Athletics. UCBC will meet as a Union Cheer Program and then each grade will break into individual Booster Club meetings. 7

8 UCBC and Boosters will meet on the one day each month. This ensures that all squads can be represented and informed at meetings. The Booster Club shall be focused on the betterment of the Program. All parents and cheerleaders will follow the communication protocol as established in the Cheer Program outline. Parents must work together, support the coaches, and demonstrate appropriate behaviors for the cheerleaders to model. All parents will be expected to fundraise (especially at the Varsity level.) Parents must be willing to participate in events and help with various fundraisers, socials, and meals in order to have a successful year. Please do not text, , or talk to coaches in an inappropriate manner (or past quiet hours). As coaches, we are working hard to continue the proud tradition of being a UNION CHEERLEADER. As we all know, if being the best was easy then every cheer squad would be #1. Being the best and the quest for excellence requires hard work, perseverance, commitment, and of course, practice! Being on Union Cheer requires nothing less. This program is based on structure and excellence. We ask that you support our rules even when they apply to your child! We will ask your daughter to make good choices, work hard, and push herself throughout the entire year. Lets work together to continue to the strong traditions of Union Cheer! 8

9 UNION HIGH SCHOOL CHEER PROGRAM TRYOUTS Thank you for your interest in the Union Cheer Program throughout the tryout clinic week. All candidates who are interested in trying out for a Union Cheer squad need to understand that there are specific responsibilities and obligations which your son/daughter must assume in order to qualify and remain part of the squad. These obligations will remain for the entire school year. All cheerleaders will be considered athletes and will follow guidelines under the Union Public Schools Athletic Department. This week all candidates have also been familiarized with their coaches expectations and discipline guidelines for the season. Being a member of the Union Cheer Program has many rewards and is a valuable experience they will remember for a lifetime. Additionally, your daughter will provide pride, leadership, and enthusiasm to their school, peers, and community through their dedication to the Union Cheer Program! Cheer Tryouts- Wednesday, April 1st 2015 All candidates need to wear a plain white shirt, red shorts, and a bow. Hair should be pulled back with no jewelry on. Candidates should arrive at the following times: *Going into 8 th Grade- Be at the High School Gym no later than 5:00pm to warm-up *Going into the 9 th Grade- Be at the High School Gym no later than 5:30pm to warm-up *Going into 10 th Grade- Be at the High School Gym no later than 5:50pm to warm-up *Going into 11 th Grade- Be at the High School Gym no later than 6:10pm to warm-up *Going into 12 th Grade- Be at the High School Gym no later than 6:30pm to warm-up All Seniors will need to help roll out the mats in the basketball gym for the warm-up area. Girls will be allowed to stretch and warm-up after the mats are rolled out. Try-outs will begin at 5:15pm! All other candidates should arrive at the times noted above. Please come in quietly through the front gym doors. Candidates should stretch and warm-up once they arrive. Each grade level will be dismissed after the tryout process by a Cheer Coach. All senior candidates will need to roll-up the mats once tryouts have finished. Candidates please do not leave until the coaches have dismissed you. Please remain in the gym as call backs may occur. Try-outs are closed to parents, friends, and family! Squad Results The final results will be posted online Thursday, April 2nd. The results will be under District News Page (which will then hopefully be linked to the Spirit page). Please be patient. There is not a set time that the posting will go up and they could be delayed if there are any unforeseen circumstances. If a candidate does make a Union Cheer Squad, notification of the first practice will be received in the upcoming week. If your daughter makes a Union Cheer squad, please attend the 1 st Union Cheer Booster Club/Parents Meeting on Thursday, April 2nd at 6:00pm at the High school (gym/spirit room). Your first sets of payments are due at this meeting (please refer to cost and payment breakdown sheet) 9

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11 2015 Union Cheer Tryout Registration/Agreement (Please print in blue or black ink) Cheer Candidate Name Grade Home Address City Zip Home Phone Cheerleader Address Cheerleader Cell Phone # Cheerleader Birthday Parent/Guardian Name Cell Phone # Parent Address Parent/Guardian Name Cell Phone # Parent Address Do you have a physical on file with the school? Yes No *If NO, then you must have a sports physical conducted by a physician to participate in clinics/try-outs I have read and understand the guidelines and expectations set forth in the 2015 Union Cheer Tryout Packet. I understand that if selected as a Union cheerleader, I will be expected to abide by these rules, as well as any other rules designated by my coach, the Athletic Department, and Union Public Schools. I understand that representing Union as a cheerleader is both an honor and extremely hard work and I will make every effort to be a successful member of the team by supporting my coach, my fellow cheerleaders and the program throughout the year. Student Signature Date By signing, I give permission for my child to try out for Union Cheer. Additionally, I have read and accept the conditions in the 2015 Union Cheer Tryout Packet as well as the time commitment and the estimated expenses associated with membership. Parent Signature Date OFFICE USE ONLY Current Physical on file OR Current Physical turned in