ANSONIA YOUTH FOOTBALL & CHEER, Inc. 2015 Cheerleading HANDBOOK 13 Menna Road Ansonia, CT 06401 www.ansoniacoppers.com May 8, 2015 2015 EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT: Fred Williams VICE PRESIDENT: Brad Zealor TREASURER: Dolores Bsuljevic SECRETARY: Sakini DePina VICE PRESIDENT FOOTBALL: Brian Piccirillo FOOTBALL CO-COORDINATORS: Keith Maynard and Dan Lynch VICE PRESIDENT CHEER: Megan O Reilly CHEER CO-COORDINATORS: Amy Butler and Colleen Kiley ANSONIA RECREATION DIRECTOR: Jeff Coppola LIASON TO DEPT OF RECREATION: Anne Lynch & Steve Sobolisky Page 1 of 6
Ansonia Youth Football & Cheerleading General Information IMPORTANT 1. We must have the following prior to your child participating: a. Registration Fee b. Participants Birth Certificate (legible copy accepted) c. Medical Clearance Form: completed, signed, and dated by your doctor after January 1 st, 2015. d. Participant s FINAL Report Card: Copy received the last day of school in 2015 e. Participation and ID Card* f. Emergency Medical Treatment Form* g. Child s Image Release Form* h. Waiver and Release Form* i. Code of Conduct* j. Concussion Acknowledgement* k. AYF&C Handbook Initial & Signoff *These forms will auto-populate and must be printed off of sports signup once registered. Your child will not be allowed on the field until we have ALL this information is in our possession. 2. Participants and Parents are subject to the disciplinary rules outlined in Article 11 and Article 12 of the 2015 Ansonia Youth Football & Cheer Bylaws as well as the AYF Code of Conduct signed and handed in at time of registration. Please review at www.ansoniacoppers.com. AYF&C maintains a zero tolerance approach to profanity and disrespect towards teammates and/or coaches. This behavior will not be tolerated and will result in removal of the program without a refund. 3. PLEASE NOTE: Any returned checks will result in a $15 fee. In addition, future checks will no longer be accepted for payment and any payments will have to be made in cash or money order. ***Additional rules and guidelines may be added and distributed at any time.*** Page 2 of 6
Ansonia Youth Football &Cheerleading CHEERLEADING RULES Cheerleading Practice 1. Practice begins on the first Monday of August 3, 2015, at 6:00 PM @ Nolan Field. Throughout the month of August, practices will be held Monday through Friday for 2 1/2 hours total. This includes water and bathroom breaks. Once the game season begins, practices will be held 3 days during the week for 2 ½ hours total. PRACTICES ARE MANDATORY. Coaches will notify you of your exact practice times since they vary by squad. Cancellations can be made up during the week. 2. During the first week of practice we will be doing various exercises and conditioning drills. We will also be evaluating your child s skill level. It would be beneficial if your child began exercising the first practice. 3. Your child must have 10 hours of practice/conditioning in order to participate in the program. 4. A cheerleader is NOT allowed to perform any tumbling and/or stunting unless being directly supervised by his/her coach. This is a safety precaution to reduce the chance of injury. 5. Parents are asked to be punctual when dropping off and picking up their children. 6. Attendance at practices, games and competitions is MANDATORY. NO ALLOWANCES WILL BE MADE FOR DANCE LESSONS, GYMNASTICS AND/OR OTHER EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES which will interrupt a scheduled game, practice and/or competition. (Religious education is the only exception) If a child is going to be late or will not be able to attend a practice/game, a phone call must be made to a coach before the practice/game. Failure to call a coach prior to a missed practice/game is automatically considered unexcused. All cheerleaders must be on time for all practices and games. A total of 2 unexcused tardies will be treated as 1 unexcused absence. Tardiness consists of arriving late for the start of a practice/game, and/or being picked up late at the end of a practice/game. A total of 2 unexcused absences will result in removal from the squad. 7. Participants must bring their own water or juice for breaks during practice. Coaches and AYF&C will not be responsible for lost or stolen items such as phones, jewelry, etc. 8. Please come to practice with proper athletic sneakers (no slip on shoes) and clothing (t-shirt/shorts/leggings). Children should not wear clothing that limits them during in practice or may be harmful to other participants (i.e. jeans) 9. No parents or siblings are allowed on the field/gym floor (practice area) during practice. 10. NO VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED UP NEAR THE FIELD HOUSE AT ANY TIME (BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER PRACTICES). THIS AREA IS RESERVED FOR ANY AYF&C ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ONLY! You can be ticketed and towed for violating this parking restriction. 11. Your child s coach will notify you when equipment will be given out and/or collected. NO EQUIPMENT/UNIFORMS WILL BE GIVEN OUT UNTIL ALL NECESSARY PAPERWORK IS HANDED IN & YOUR ACCOUNT IS PAID IN FULL!! NO EXCEPTIONS! 12. Any illness or injury shall be reported to the Coach immediately. Any injury suffered during practice, game or other official function will be treated by a doctor and if needed at a local health care facility. If there is serious injury or illness to a cheerleader, she shall not be permitted to practice or cheer until she provides written Page 3 of 6
clearance from a doctor. Injury reports are required for all injuries that occur during practice, games, and competitions. Cheerleading Equipment 1. A parent will have to sign for all equipment given to a participant. Your child receives equipment worth approximately $250. Please take care of it and keep it clean. Please do not alter the equipment in any way. If the equipment is altered in any way, if you lose or damage any piece of equipment, you will be held liable for payment. YOU MUST WASH THE UNIFORM ON A COLD GENTLE CYCLE AND THEN HANG TO DRY. DO NOT DRY CLEAN, IRON OR BLEACH THE UNIFORM. 2. Cheerleaders must purchase their own briefs, body suit, socks, and track suit if not already owned. 3. Sneakers, cheer camp clothing, and bows will be supplied and do not have to be returned. These items are included as part of the registration fee. 4. Clean uniforms are expected throughout the season and upon returned at the end of the season. Uniforms must be worn only to games and competitions. 5. Appropriate attire is required at all practices and games. Cheerleaders are not to wear any jewelry (on any body parts) to practices, games and/or competitions as these articles can or may be pulled and cause injury. NO EXCEPTION! The coach is NOT responsible for holding jewelry during practices, games and/or competitions. If a medical ID bracelet is required, it must be taped securely to the body. Fingernail polish is strictly prohibited at competition! All nails must be kept short and no acrylic. Hair should be in a ponytail, out of the child s eyes. Pajama Pants are not allowed to be worn, while in uniform. Appropriate attire includes cheer sneakers (no high top sneakers) when we are in the armory on the cheer mats, shorts/leggings (no jeans) and shirt that is fitted or can be tucked in. Cheerleading Games/Competitions 1. A cheerleader is expected to be in full uniform for a game. Nylons/pantyhose are not allowed. 2. Our games are played on Saturdays and Sundays and all home games are played at Nolan Field. All players must be at the playing field 1 hour before game time. Game schedules will be forwarded to you once they are finalized and available. 3. If there is a change in the game time for any given week, your child and/or parent will be notified by your coach. 4. Our game season begins Labor Day weekend. We will be playing an 8 game schedule. You will receive a copy of the schedule as soon as it is finalized. 5. Cheerleaders will participate in cheer competitions beginning in October. Should any team advance, the competition season can run up to December. 6. Rules that are outlined in the Code of Conduct will be followed by all cheerleaders and parents. 7. During half time girls will have a small snack and drink. Please clear fluids only while in uniform. 8. If the team advances to the National Cheer competition in Florida they will attend. All cheerleaders that compete at N.E Regionals must also compete at Nationals. Anyone who removes there child from the team after N.E Regionals will not be permitted to register the next season. Page 4 of 6
Cheerleading Parents 1. Early in the season, the AYF&C Executive Board will have a parents meeting. It is imperative that at least one parent attends this meeting. 2. You will be asked to help out during the home games with gate, 50/50 and concession stand. You will be asked to help out with Mats during practice, and various volunteer positions during Competitions. Your cooperation is important. Team parents will be in contact with you. 3. It is imperative for parents to be available in case of an injury. Without parental consent, only the most basic medical care can be administered even by a doctor. 4. Your child may be given different notices each week. Please make sure you receive and read them. They contain important information on upcoming activities, changes in schedules, etc. 5. Per the City of Ansonia s legal counsel, the player/parent is responsible for his/her own transportation to and from all practices and games. 6. If you have any questions and/or concerns, it is imperative that you follow the chain of command. First see the head coach of your child s team. If you do not feel the matter is taken care of, you must then see the Cheerleading VP or Coordinator regarding the matter. From there, you would be required to address the situation with the AYF&C Executive Vice President, who will work with the AYF&C Board, and then finally to the Ansonia Department of Recreation. 7. Younger cheer squads this season will require a parent/guardian to sign their child(ren) in at every practice with the time arrived. A parent/guardian will also have to sign their child(ren) out of practice. This will alleviate any problem with children with no ride home or wandering around Nolan Field after hours of practice. 8. Every parent must give a valid phone number where they can be reached during practice or game hours if needed. 9. Parents are expected to be at the practice/game location to pick up their child(ren) 15 minutes prior to the end of practice or games. Parents who do not show up by the end of practice or games will need to make arrangements to pick up their child(ren) at the Ansonia Police Department. Page 5 of 6
Ansonia Youth Football &Cheerleading 2015 PROGRAM HANDBOOK PARENT/PARTICIPANT SIGN OFF SHEET As a participant in Ansonia s Youth Football & Cheerleading Program, there are rules and a standard of conduct that must be followed by all participants and their parents at all times. It is each parent & child s responsibility to read, know and follow all rules and code of conducts outlined in our program handbook and bylaws. Failure to follow those rules may result in suspension from participation in our program. Please complete this form and turn into your coach. We,, parent(s) of (Football player/cheerleader) hereby acknowledges that we have been provided with and properly advised of all rules and standards of conduct that must be followed at all times. I understand that my failure, or my child s failure to follow these rules may result in suspension &/or removal from participation in the AYF&C program. Participant #1 Signature: Date Signed: Participant #2 Signature: Date Signed: Participant #3 Signature: Date Signed: Participant #4 Signature: Date Signed: Participant #5 Signature: Date Signed: Parent (s) Signature: / Date Signed: Page 6 of 6