2017-2018 Livonia Unified Cheerleading Competitive Tryout Packet
Dear Cheerleading Candidates and Parents/Guardians: Thank you for your interest in trying out for the 2017-18 Livonia Unified Cheerleading competitive squad. We appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in our program. The purpose of this packet is to familiarize you with the rules and expectations of our program. Candidates must meet certain qualifications in order to tryout for cheerleading. We hold our athletes to higher standards and insist they maintain good grades as well as a continued work ethic and promptness. Cheerleading can be a truly rewarding experience, but it also requires a large commitment. Candidates attitudes and abilities to work with other different personalities must be exceptional. Please be aware of this as you prepare to take on the challenges and responsibilities of becoming a member of the Livonia Unified Cheerleading competitive squad. Tryouts will be held on Sunday, November 12 from 3:30-6:00pm. Mandatory parent meeting will be Sunday, November 12 from 4:00-4:30pm. Upon making the squad, the first practice will be on Monday November 13 from 5:30-7:30pm. Thank you and good luck! Sincerely, Melani Kieling (LUCCheerleading@gmail.com) Bri Harris Heather Hill Kelly Stevens (Kelly@livoniaultimate.com) Livonia Ultimate Gymnasticz, 734-522-2966
Tryout Procedures Proper attire for tryouts: Dark colored athletic shorts White shirts with no cheerleading emblems No nail polish/ Acrylic Nails (nails should not be longer than your fingertip!) Short white socks Athletic shoes (Must not be worn outside) No jewelry or gum Hair pulled away from face Green, black or white bow Tryouts will run as follows: Sign in & paperwork turn in Stretch and Parent Meeting Motion placement Jump, split, skill counts and directions Learn tryout material Jump & split tryout Tumbling tryout Letters Candidates will be given a letter upon ending the tryout, stating whether or not they have made the team. The girls will be asked to open their letters AT HOME, away from Livonia Ultimate Gymnastics premises.
Livonia Unified Cheer Rules and Agreements 1. All team members are to be ready for practice at the designated time. No Excuses! Special practices could be set at various times during the season. (Extra competition practices, tumbling, team outings, etc.) 2. Everyone must wear appropriate attire for practices. This means t-shirt, shorts, socks and cheer shoes. Hair needs to be pulled back and out of face. ALL jewelry must be removed. 3. If the team-member will be late for a practice because of a doctor or dentist appointment, or because of a test, etc. the coach MUST be notified in ADVANCE, or consequential action could be taken at the discretion of the coach. Contacting the coach does not mean that there will not be consequences for the missed practice; it just gives communication that the coach s practice plan may need to be altered. 4. Practices missed for reasons such as babysitting, homework, work, lack of a ride to or from practice, etc. WILL NOT BE EXCUSED! Doctor, Dentist, Nails, Hair, Tanning, etc. appointments should be scheduled on days other than practice days. (Coach s discretion) 5. Absences are taken very seriously. Failure to attend practice or tumbling can result in negative consequences. 6. All team members will be responsible for the care and maintenance of their uniform and cheer property. Team members are responsible for the purchase of their own socks, shoes, briefs, mocks, bags, uniform, and any other team equipment. 7. Cheer team members must abide by the rules set forth at Livonia Ultimate Gymnastics. 8. All cheer team members must attend all events (games, competitions, clinics, camps, fundraisers, team outings, etc.) put on and sponsored by LUC. 9. All cheer team members are responsible for the conduct in which they carry themselves. This includes social media accounts! Any postings deemed inappropriate by the LUGS staff could result in immediate dismissal from the team. NO hand-holding, kissing, or physical intimate contact with boyfriends/girlfriends while in uniform. 10. No food at practice! You may have water. No pop! 11. Practice is the coach s time. It is not a social event. 12. Cell phones are NOT ALLOWED at practice. Just like in school, they must be turned off and out of sight. 13. Parents are allowed to pull girls from practice/competition because of their grades. This will be left up to parent discretion. If this may occur, please let the coach know in advance as to prepare for the upcoming competition. 14. All student athletes within the program will conduct herself with due regard to the
public decorum and morals. She shall not commit any act that indicates dishonesty or moral degradation or that otherwise could injure the student or program s reputation. This includes any online activity. 15. If there are any discrepancies or issues needed to be taken up with the coach, please contact through email or through voicemail at LUGS, at an appropriate time. These will be returned in a timely manner. We ask that you use the 24 hour rule, in which a cool-down period may occur. 16. All athletes/parents will be expected to participate in up to 2 fundraisers during the season. Athletes and parents may choose to opt out of these fundraisers for a flat price that will be determined by the LUGS staff. All cheer team members receive many valuable and rewarding experiences from being a part of this program, experiences that they will remember long after they graduate from high school. These activities will not only channel their enthusiasm in a constructive and beneficial manner, but will give them a sense of pride and accomplishment in being a part of a group that is hard-working and respected. Cheering is not a social group, nor does it mean instant popularity; it is a form of character-building and physical development which requires a lot of hard-work and dedication. Because it is a physical activity, it also involves a risk of physical injury. When making your decision regarding whether or not to try-out, please be aware of this risk. Practices will be held on: Mondays 5:30-7:30pm Wednesdays 5:30-7:30pm Fridays 5:30-7:30pm Important Dates Competitions: December 16: 9th Annual Cheer for Charity @ Cousino HS, TBA January 6: 3rd Annual Troy Athens Cheer Invitational @ Troy Athens HS, TBA January 20: Rochester Royal Rumble @ Rochester HS, TBA January 27: 4th Annual Plymouth Invitational @ Plymouth HS, TBA February 3: Southgate Anderson Invite @ Southgate Anderson HS, TBA February 10: Saline Invitational @ Saline HS, TBA
Projected Costs Your child s involvement in cheerleading will cost you time, money and effort. The cheerleaders train in large and a well-equipped gym under the direction of an educated, experienced and professional staff. The overhead incurred in running a large gymnastics club includes rent, utilities, insurances, taxes, supplies in addition to wages and equipment. The coaches spend an enormous amount of time planning, training, traveling, and supporting the cheerleaders. This is all in addition to the time they spend coaching. Further, the coaches return phone calls, emails, set up competitions, and work to maintain and improve the facility. Cheer tuition is based on a FULL cheer season (November-February). There will be additional practice days from March-June, at a reduced price, TBA. There will be vacations and closings during the year. There are no prorated fees due to missed/cancelled practices. These may include vacations, days missed when coaches are out of town for competitions, or days missed because of inclement weather. Livonia Ultimate Gymnastics may also cancel team workouts for competitions, clinics, special events or team outings. Livonia Ultimate Gymnastics may also hold extra practices on weeks when the gym is closed for all other activity. We offer this at no charge. All parents are required to make an account and have a card on file. Monthly fees will be pulled from your online account on the 1 st of the month. There will be a late fee of $25 if monthly tuition is not received by the 7 th of the month. There are NO exceptions to this rule. You can create an account at: www.iclassprov2.com/parentportal/livoniaultimate $40 registration fee (one time yearly payment) DUE 11-13-17 One time Assessment fee of TBA (includes coaches fees) DUE 12-13-17 $220, $120, or $45 Uniform Fee (Based on package needed) DUE 11-20-17 $135 monthly fee (November & February will be $67.50), DUE 11-13-17 Team Spirit Wear will be optional this year Cost TBA You are making a commitment for the ENTIRE season. If your cheerleader quits, you will still be responsible for the assessment fees and forfeit any payments you have already made.
Expectations of Parents Parents play a huge role in the development of a successful young cheerleader. Your role is every bit as important as that of the gym, coaches and the athlete. The following actions and ideas are expected of LUGS Competitive Team Parents. 1. As a parent of a cheerleader, you are an instrumental contributor to her success and happiness. Tuition and fees must be paid on time and a commitment to transport your daughter to and from workouts, competitions and team functions must be made. In addition and equally important, parents must instill work ethic, values and nutritional knowledge into their child necessary to be successful. 2. If you need to get a message to your cheerleader during practice, please talk to the office staff and they will relay the message. 3. Parents are NOT permitted on the gym floor and must refrain from coaching or commenting during any training session. If your child is not paying attention or messing around, we realize it s tempting. This is the job of the coaches. 4. Parents are expected and encouraged to show proper respect for our sport at all times. Rude, belittling, or negative comments about coaches, parents and other cheerleaders/teams are always inappropriate and have no place in our gym. 5. If you have a problem or concern, please speak to the coach at the appropriate time. Complaining to the other parents cannot solve your problems, nor can we solve them if we do not know about them. If you respect us enough to allow us to play a large role in your child s life, please respect us enough to know that we have your child s best interest at heart. Meaning that decisions that are made in regards to your child s round and stunt group are made in what we cheer professionals feel will best help your child be successful. 6. If you have any questions regarding the gym or your cheerleader, please contact the gym via phone 734-522-2966 or email. 7. Please be on time to pick up your athlete. 8. LUC is a competitive team and we are playing to win. By making this team it does not guarantee a spot in a round. They need to work hard to earn their spot. We will NOT allow interference with our coaching. 9. All parents and athletes will be expected to participate in fundraisers put on by Livonia Ultimate Gymnastics. Further expectations will be explained at the start of each fundraiser.
Tumbling Consent (Due November 12) Livonia Unified Cheer Competitive Tryouts I, (parent/guardian) give my permission to, (athlete) for the below gymnastic skills that will be attempted at the Livonia Unified Cheerleading Tryouts. I am in the understanding that a spotter WILL NOT be available for the performed (judged) skills, however, a spotter will be available for the practice of these skills. Tumbling Skills - Please list skills from easiest to most difficult in the order that they will be performed at tryouts. (Please only list the skills you are able to do on your own). Examples: Back Walkover, Front Walkover, Back handspring, Back tuck, Round off back handspring, Cartwheel, etc.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Cheerleading Contract and Information (Due November 12) **Please write legibly!** Athlete Name: Address: Parent Phone: Athlete Phone: Parent Email: Grade for 2017-2018 School year (circle): 7 8 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I,, hereby agree to allow my daughter to participate in the Livonia Unified Cheerleading program for the 2017-18 Competitive season. I have fully read the rules and expectations and agree to abide by them and enforce them with my daughter. I understand that my daughter will be strictly held to the standards outlined. I further agree to follow proper procedures, which are outlined in this packet, for reporting any problems or incidents. I agree to submit all fees and documents by the assigned dates. Parent/Guardian Signature Date