Elite All Stars Cheer and Dance 2016-2017 Handbook www.eliteallstarsofmaine.com Celebrating 16 years of success 2001 2017 ************************************************************
Thank you for your interest in Elite All-Stars of Maine. Our program philosophy is to offer a quality cheer program to your child at his/her own ability level in a safe and positive environment. We hope to develop not only your child s cheerleading and tumbling skills, but to also teach them how to be a team player and a strong leader in their community! Our teams are always highly competitive within their respective divisions. The Elite All Stars of Maine staff provides the best, most disciplined training in our area. We take pride in our ability to focus specific attention on each individual. We strongly believe that our success originates from the dedication and commitment of our athletes and parents. We encourage positive attitudes and respectful behavior among our Elite family. Our goal is to develop the best squads possible, as well as instill qualities and values that will last a lifetime!. All-Star Cheerleading Overview All-Star cheerleading has evolved into one of the most exciting, fast-paced and strenuous sports scored by a panel of judges in the world. Our sport is broken down into competitive levels by age and ability level. The United States All Star Federation (USASF) is the main governing presence in our industry, and Elite forms teams based upon the age and ability levels specified USASF. We often have a lot of questions and confusion on what your child needs to have in order to make a certain level team. The following page is a list of what judges require a full team to have at competition. This will be a good list to go over with your cheerleader as they work to progress their skills before tryouts. Although we may not require every single one of these skills at the time of tryouts, your athlete needs to be working to have a majority of them. **Please note the following: Just because your cheerleader can perform a certain level tumbling skill does not mean they will necessarily make that level team. We look for ALL of the skills when placing teams, jumps, tumbling, base ability, flying ability, performance maturity, attitude and work ethic. We may sometimes need an athlete to be on a certain level team because they possess a skill that a particular team needs such as, they are a great flyer or base. We also consider maturity and age when placing kids and also, what is best for the child. Sometimes it may not be best for the child to move up too quickly and they need to stay on a certain level/age team to grow in maturity before moving up a level. **EVERY CHILD IS PLACED ON A TEAM**
Skill Requirements Based by USASF Rules *LEVEL 1: Athleticism, listening skills, coordination, strength, flexibility and memory work. This level is the first step to becoming a great cheerleader! Kids will learn formations, stunts, jumps and the basic building blocks for good tumbling. They will also learn how to work with a team in a structured setting. *LEVEL 2: Standing back handspring, round off back handspring and a toe touch pause back handspring. We would like to see a front walkover round off back handspring series. Level jumps, strong motion technique and a good work ethic. Flyers need to show flexibility and be able to pull all body positions. (i.e., heel stretch, scale, scorpion). Flyers also need to be able to hit a straight body position in basket tosses. Each student must demonstrate an average understanding of motion technique (sharpness/arm placement). Bases will need to have a good understanding of grips for the above mentioned stunts and be capable of holding the stunts and dismounting. *LEVEL 3: Double toe touch back handspring, round off back handspring-back tuck, round off back tucks, and punch fronts. Flyers must full down from 2 leg stunts and flyers need to show flexibility and be able to pull all of the body positions required for level 2 with even greater flexibility. Basket tosses that need to be mastered toe touch, tuck arch, pike arch. Each student must demonstrate an above average understanding of motion technique and counts. Bases will need to have a good understanding of grips for the above mentioned stunts and be capable of holding the stunts and dismounting. *LEVEL 4: Standing back tuck, standing back handspring back tuck, toe touch back handspring back tuck, standing back handsprings layout, tumbling out of whips & front tucks. Flyers must full down from 1 leg extended stunts, and double down from all 2 leg stunts. All body positions need to be mastered as well as kick full basket tosses. Each student must demonstrate an excellent understanding of motion technique and counts. Bases will need to have a good understanding of grips for the above mentioned stunts and be capable of holding the stunts and dismounting. 2016-2017 List of Elite Teams Teams Types of Teams Ages Prerequisites Additional Info s - All Competitions in Maine Northern Stars Rising Stars Toddler Stars Senior Level Mini Level 3 rd through 8 th Grade Sign ups in October. No skills K- 2 nd Grade Sign ups in October. No skills Ages 3-4 Years Sign ups in October. No skills All Star Teams: All Competitions in Mass All Star Team All Star Team Senior Level All Star Team Tumbling Junior Level All Star Team Tumbling Youth Level All Star Team Tumbling Junior or Senior Level Travel Cheer Age 10 through 17 years old Sign ups from May-August. No skills 9 Years and younger Sign ups from May-August. No skills All Star Travel Teams: All Competitions in Mass National Level Cheer Teams- Tryout Only These Teams attend National Events ONLY Tumbling Senior Coed Level Travel Cheer Team COED Tumbling Showstoppers 2 Comps in and 1 Showcase 1 Comps in and 1 Showcase 1 Comps in and 1 Showcase 2 Competitions in Mass and 1 2 Competitions in Mass and 1 Evaluations in May 4 Competitions in Mass and 1 Evaluations In May 4 Competitions in Mass and 1 Evaluations in May 4 Competitions in Mass and 1 You must tryout for this Team Please Note: This team can take 4 Non-Tumblers You must tryout for this Team Please Note: This team can take 4 Non-Tumblers Half Year Teams: January April (Evaluations in Early January) Travel Cheer 17 and Older Team Open Level 4 Or 6 National Level team. Will attend competitions in New England as well as outside New England National Level team. Will attend competitions in New England as well as outside New England If your 18 years old and have graduated from High School, Ask about our Discount for graduating Seniors. Daredevils Hotshots Senior Junior or Youth
2016-17 SEASON FEES **National Level All Star Travel Cheer June 2016 thru April 2017 Fees include: Gym Fees, Tumbling, Choreography/ music fees, Competition and Coaches Fees and USASF Dues. Cost: $3000.00. Payment Plan: June 1 st through March 1st: $300.00 a month. Uniform and Practice wear: Est: $520.00 Due September Discounts: *All Fees Paid in Full by June 1 will receive a 10% discount. ALL FEES ARE NON REFUNDABLE! **All Star Cheer September 2016 thru Beginning of April 2017** Fees include: Gym Fees, Tumbling, Choreography fees, Competition and Coaches Fees and USASF Dues. Cost: $1500.00. Payment Plan: September 1 st through February 1 st : $250.00 a month Uniform: Est: $TBD Discounts: *All Fees Paid in Full by August 1 st will receive a 10% discount. ALL FEES ARE NON REFUNDABLE! ** All Star Cheer September 2016 thru March 2017** Fees include: Gym Fees, Tumbling, Choreography fees, Competition and Coaches Fees Uniform and USASF Dues. Cost: $850.00 Payment Plan: September through February 1 st *All Fees Paid in Full by Sept. 1 will receive a 10% discount. ALL FEES ARE NON REFUNDABLE! **s October 2016 thru March 2017** Northern Stars: $250 - Includes Registration Fee Rising Stars: $150 Includes Registration Fee Toddler Stars: $150 - Includes Registration Fee **Half Year Cheer Teams January 2017 thru April 2017** Cost: $250.
NOTIFICATION SYSTEM We at Elite All Stars of Maine feel that communication between the staff, parents, and athletes is very important in maintaining a great relationship. We will do our best to keep you informed in a timely manner. Information that is important to your athlete may be found at the front desk, our Facebook page or on our website at www.eliteallstarsofmaine.com. We understand that it is not always easy to contact the Coaches or Julie before, during or after practice. In order to maintain an open line of communication, we will give you many avenues to contact us with your concerns and suggestions. An excellent way to communicate with Julie Dvilinsky, the owner is through email. Please keep in mind, right before, during and after practice are not the times to communicate with the coaches. The gym gets very hectic and there is always a lot going on. Please, when at all possible; contact them via email, before normal classes/practices begin. You may also write down any concerns, complaints or suggestions and drop them in the payment box. Loyalty to Elite All Stars of Maine is what will make us great. Our staff is loyal both to the athletes and to the gym. In return, we see a dedication from our parents also. Our support in the past 15 years has been phenomenal. It is evident in all that we do. Loyalty is just one factor that helps us achieve our goals. If at any time you feel that your loyalty to our gym diminishes for any reason, please come to the Elite Cheer Gym staff, before you go to other parents or those outside of Elite All Stars of Maine. This can lead to false information being circulated and does not represent Elite All Stars of Maine in the manner that we would like. UNITED TOGETHER! Expectations 1. Athletes will set and maintain the highest examples of behavior. 2. Athletes WILL BE ON TIME TO ALL ACTIVITIES. 3. Athletes will do everything in their power to achieve personal and squad goals. 4. Each Athletes is responsible for finding out any missed information. Attitude 1. Always keep a positive attitude. 2. Being a member of a competitive all-star team is NOT about self glorification and self promotion, but rather about being a TEAM player in whatever capacity is asked of you by the coaching staff. 3. The athlete should always exhibit a positive attitude and a willingness to participate respectfully 4. The attitude of the parent has a huge impact on the attitude and performance of a child. We have watched cheerleaders shut down because they have had too much parental pressure. Children listen to what their parents are saying and it affects their behavior. If you act disrespectfully toward a coach, cheerleader, or another parent your child will mirror the behavior. We welcome constructive criticism and want to address all of your concerns as a parent. However, we also believe that "Attitudes are contagious". Negative parents will not be tolerated. We would much rather surround ourselves and our athletes with positive minded people. 5. Good sportsmanship, polite manners, and a kind disposition are MANDATORY at all competitions. Elite All Star prides itself on setting a high standard of behavior. Please help us continue in the endeavor. Parent Responsibilities 1. To make sure your son or daughter is on time and attends all practices/events. 2. Parents are to inform the coach if the student is to be late or absent from practice. Never send information through someone else. 3. Parents are to encourage and support your athlete to be the best he/she can be. 4. Parents are to fulfill any financial obligations on time. 5 No one is allowed in the practice area other than the cheerleaders and the staff. 6. If you choose to remain during practice, you must stay in the waiting area. No one is allowed to yell on to the floor or to speak to any team member or coach while practice is in session. This is extremely inappropriate & distracting to all involved. 7. NEVER speak to or about anyone else's child other than your own. Any negative behavior towards an Elite All Stars of Maine member, the gym, staff or to another gym, via any medium will result in dismissal from the team. 8. Please remember that the Elite All Stars name and logo are trademarks of Elite All Stars of Maine. Julie Dvilinsky must approve all designs bearing the Elite All Stars of Maine name and logo. Anything created without her approval will not be acceptable and cannot be worn or sold independently. 9. Parents are expected to support the coach's decisions, and encourage their child to work hard and be supportive of their team. Fundraising Club What is the Fundraising Club? Our Mission is to help provide fundraisers in an effort to offset the financial responsibilities associated with competitive cheerleading. Why fundraise? Cheerleading expenses can be heavy. Generally summer and early-fall fundraising proceeds are used toward competition fees. All other fundraisers during fall and winter can be used towards gym fees. The Fundraising Club will also organize group fundraising that all proceeds earned will be divided among only those that participate. A statement of account will be handed out to athletes each month starting in the month of August. STAY INFORMED. Usually information about upcoming fundraisers and other important information will be posted on the fundraising Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to call and or e-mail if you have questions or concerns. All Fundraising money WILL NOT go towards private lessons or Cheerleading Elite apparel. Please Note: Fundraising Money only Stays in the Fundraising account for one season. If not used, it will go into a general fund.