CREATIVE CHEER VCC POM COMPETITION TEAM HANDBOOK 2013-2014 SEASON WELCOME TO Creative Cheer s VCC Competition Squad! We are excited that you have chosen to become a part of our competition pom squad! Please take the time to read the entire Team Handbook. We know that it is a lot of information so please do not feel overwhelmed. We feel that it is important to give you all of the information that you will need to know for the entire cheer season so we can limit the amount of surprises that pop up. This packet will be very important and helpful to you for the entire season so make sure to keep it in a safe place where you will be able to reference back to it! We have tried to list out everything to help you be organized so we ask that parents be aware and up to date with all events and due dates. A Parent Information Meeting will be held Monday, August 1 st at 5:00pm at the Mountain Vista Gym in Vistancia. It is extremely important that each team member has a parent or guardian present. The teams will have a short get together during the parent meeting to meet their new teammates. The meeting will cover practice expectations, competitions, fees, and the uniform package. STAR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Creative Cheer, LLC / www.creativecheer.com / 123CreativeCheer@gmail.com P a g e 1 of 7
I. CREATIVE CHEER COMPETITION TEAM Creative Cheer Pom Competition Squad focuses on arm motions, jump technique, dance skills, flexibility, strength, and conditioning training. Girls and boys, ages 11-14 are welcome. The team is formed by age and skill level. Our competitive cheer program has continued to grow tremendously over the past three years and our teams have done outstanding at competitions! The goal of Creative Cheer is for all of our students to reach their full potential, gain confidence, and self-discipline, all in a FUN and SAFE environment! Each and every family is important to us and our program and we invite you to come and see what it s like to be a part of the Creative Cheer family! After reading the entire handbook, please print off the registration and handbook acknowledgement forms, sign and return at orientation/parent meeting. II. TEAM PRACTICES HRS/ WEEK Three practices a week: Monday 4:00pm-6:00pm, Wednesday 6:00pm-7:00pm and during the months of September, October, November, December, January, February there will be practice on Saturdays 7:00am-9:00am HOLIDAYS Labor Day November 25 th December 23 rd & 30 th MLK Day January 20 th Presidents Day February 17 th Spring Recess III. CONTRACT/REGISTRATION To ensure the commitment of all team members and their parents, Creative Cheer parents and students are required to sign a NINE MONTH CONTRACT (AUGUST APRIL) Creative Cheer membership agreement. By signing the contract, parents and students are committing themselves to no less than 9 MONTHS with the program. We want everyone to understand that cheerleading is a TEAM sport and when you sign a contract; you are telling us that you will be a part of that team for the entire cheer season. It is very difficult to change cheer routines around in the middle of the season if for some reason someone can no longer participate. The contract also lists the policies of Creative Cheer and other expectations we have for our athletes. By signing the contract you are telling us you understand the rules and expectations for our competitive athletes, will abide by the student/parent codes of conduct, and you understand the consequences the team will face if you decide to break your commitment. The membership agreement form will be given out, explained and then signed by both parent and child at the Orientation meeting after the squad is formed. Creative Cheer, LLC / www.creativecheer.com / 123CreativeCheer@gmail.com P a g e 2 of 7
IV. ATTENDANCE POLICY Competitive cheerleading is a TEAM sport, therefore ALL practices and competitions are mandatory. Athletes are in team practice once- twice a week and are expected to be at all practices. There are precious few hours that we have these teams together, every moment must be used. Excessive tardiness or absences will result in dismissal from your team. There s an allotted amount of excused absences allowed for summer vacations and school year events. You will get these exact numbers at Orientation. We know that students will need to miss practices sometimes but we ask that you plan accordingly and use your absences wisely. There are certain times throughout the year where attendance is extra important and times when it s ok if they miss practice. We understand that events can arise and you might have to miss practice due to family emergency, sudden illness, etc. Call your Team Rep as soon as you know you will not be at practice as well as leave a message on the gym phone. When signing your contract at the beginning of the season, you are agreeing to make cheerleading and your commitment to your team and coaches a priority. We love that our students are well-rounded and involved in other activities such as dance, sports, music, etc. but we ask that they not begin something that will interfere with cheer practices on a regular basis. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO COMPETITIONS! Athletes absolutely cannot miss practice 2 weeks before a competition. If an athlete does miss 2 weeks prior, their position within the routine will be temporarily or permanently changed and/or the alternate will compete in their place at the next competition. If an athlete misses practice the week of a competition, they will not be allowed to compete in that upcoming competition and the alternate will take their place. If there is a conflict, please talk to the coach as soon as possible. Please write down the competition dates right away and keep this rule in mind when planning any events/vacations around the time of the competitions. V. GENERAL TEAM INFORMATION TEAM REP The team will be assigned a Team Representative who will assist the coaches with attendance, points, phone directories, competition registrations, and fundraising. VI. UNIFORMS Cheer uniforms consist of a top (with lettering), skirt, briefs, socks, poms, shoes and bow. PRACTICE WEAR Each team member is required to purchase and wear a sports bra to EVERY practice. Team members are required to purchase a pair of black shorts that are required for practices. Team members will receive one black shirt required for practices. Creative Cheer, LLC / www.creativecheer.com / 123CreativeCheer@gmail.com P a g e 3 of 7
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL ITEMS Club Shirts $10.00 VII. COMPETITION DATES: PLEASE mark your calendars now with the competition dates as all competitions are Mandatory! Each competition we attend requires a per athlete fee. We went off of the competition information from this year and prices and dates can change slightly from year to year. COMPETITION DATE LOCATION COST USA Regionals 11/2/13 T.B.D $35.00 JAMZ Regionals 10/19/13 Tucson $35.00 Valley of The Sun (Local) 4/19/14 T.B.D. Possible added date (additional fee) USA Nationals (must qualify at Regionals) JAMZ Nationals (must qualify at Regionals) $35.00 3/1-3/2 California - Disneyland $600.00 1/23-1/27 Las Vegas New Orleans Hotel T.B.D *Regional and Local competitions fees are included in your monthly tuition. VIII. FEES DUE PAID TO CREATIVE CHEER Pay by cash, check, and/or credit card Annual Registration/Insurance $50 Due August 1 st 1 st Monthly Fee $65 - Due August 1 st Uniform Package (Fitting Date TBD) Midget $260.00 due August 19 th Pee-Wee $200.00 due August 19 th Warm Up Package $150.00 due September 30 th MONTHLY PAYMENTS- Payments will be made the 1 st Monday of each month. If payment is not received by the 15 th of each month a $10.00 late fee will be accessed. Payments that are delinquent over two months will result in being terminated from the squad. If you are terminated from the squad your total amount due is required in the form a cash payment upon termination. Cash, Check, and Credit Cards are accepted. IX. FUNDRAISING Cards Each team member will be required to sell a minimum of 10 cards @ $5.00 each. This is to help with the cost of music and / or choreography. Team members may choose to pay the $50.00 outright instead of fundraising (this does not include team fundraisers). Team members will also be asked to solicit sponsors on behalf of the team to support our trip to Nationals. Any money collected and not used will be carried over the next year. The squad will host a number Creative Cheer, LLC / www.creativecheer.com / 123CreativeCheer@gmail.com P a g e 4 of 7
of fundraisers throughout the year to help with the costs of Nationals as well. A few examples are: Harvest Festival Bake Sale Gold Canyon Candles Parents Night Out Pizza Night Rita s Italian Ice Night Snow Day Bake Sale X. CREATIVE CHEER PROGRAM RULES- PARENT / CHEERLEADER CODES OF CONDUCT Initial Each Box - Confirming you understand and agree to the terms. CREATIVE CHEER ATHLETES AND PARENTS are a reflection of our company and should conduct themselves in a manner that is in line with our beliefs: NO GOSSIPING about any other teams (allstar, recreation, and/or school), NO GOSSIP about a child on your team or another team. NO GOSSIP about coaches and staff. It is much better to address a problem than to listen to idle gossip. You must arrive at all practices, competitions or any scheduled event on time. Punctuality is a MUST. All squad and routine decisions are left to the discretion of the coaches, opinions of students and parents cannot be discussed during practice. Please feel free to talk to your coach about anything; just remember to do it at the appropriate times. For example, approaching a coach in the middle of a practice would not be an appropriate time. Never post any negative comments on any websites or chat rooms. Team Members with any inappropriate pictures, language, etc. on their Facebook or Twitter pages will be asked to not have any reference to Creative Cheer or VCC on their site and could potentially be dismissed from the team depending upon the severity of their actions. Each case will be judged on a case by case basis. We expect our team members to not only respect themselves but to respect our program and to be good representatives of Creative Cheer VCC. Practices may be changed or added if needed at any time during the season. Coaches have the right to add students to any team at any time. Coaches have the right to dismiss students at any time from a team if they are not following the codes of conduct or meeting the commitment expectations. Anyone threatening to quit or to pull their child from a squad will be dismissed from the program immediately. No one is allowed to yell onto the floor or try to make contact with their child during practices This is extremely distracting to all involved. Any parents who are interfering in practices or are pressuring their children will be asked to leave during team practices. Creative Cheer, LLC / www.creativecheer.com / 123CreativeCheer@gmail.com P a g e 5 of 7
Cheerleading is a sport that requires athletes to be in excellent health. Students are expected to take care of themselves by eating well, getting good rest, etc. Any students that are harming their bodies through alcohol, tobacco, drugs, etc. will be benched from the next competition and potentially dismissed from the team. It is the parent s responsibility to know what is going on with your squad. Check your emails and the website regularly. Withholding a child from a practice or a competition should never be used as a form of punishment. Cheer is a positive activity that promotes self-discipline and respect. By withholding your child from cheer you are punishing the entire team that is depending upon every member to be present! Parents, relatives, friends and cheerleaders are never allowed to speak with competition officials for any reason. Please address questions or concerns to your coaches who will contact the competition. Parents are never allowed to represent Creative Cheer under any circumstances concerning accommodations, competitions or any other situation. All Creative Cheer cheerleaders and family/friends will show good sportsmanship at all times. There will be no arguing or questioning of the coaching staff s decisions at competitions. I understand there are several performances throughout the year that are mandatory unless approved by Creative Cheer coaches a month in advance. CREATIVE CHEER, LLC PRIDES ITSELF ON NOT ONLY DEVELOPING TALENTED CHEERLEADERS BUT BY DEVELOPING POSITIVE ROLE MODELS & GOOD REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PROGRAM. PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP MAKING THIS POSSIBLE BY BEING POLITE AND CURTEOUS NOT ONLY AT THE GYM BUT AT EVERY EVENT & COMPETITION THAT OUR TEAMS ATTEND! I have read the entire team handbook and understand all of the expectations of being on our competitive cheer team. I understand what is expected of me as a parent and a cheerleader and agree to the terms and conditions. I will conduct myself in a sportsmanlike manner and uphold the standards that are expected of me as a Creative Cheer cheerleader. Date: Parent/Legal Guardian Name Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Team Member Name Team Member Signature Creative Cheer, LLC / www.creativecheer.com / 123CreativeCheer@gmail.com P a g e 6 of 7
LIABILITY AND RELEASE WAIVER I agree that in case of an accident involving my child while attending the Club/Clinic/Camp, and with full awareness that cheerleading is an activity that may involve risk, or injury (The risk of injury includes minor injuries such as bruises, and more serious injuries such as broken bones, dislocations, and muscle pulls. The risks include catastrophic injuries such as permanent paralysis or death I fully accept and assume all such risks and responsibility for losses, cost and damages I incur as a result of my participation in the activity. I hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to sue Creative Cheer, LLC, its respective administrators, dire agents, officer, volunteers, and employees, other participants, and sponsors, advertisers, and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises which the activity takes place, (each considered one of the RELEASEES' herein) from all liability, claims, demands, losses, or damages or account caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the 'releasees' or otherwise, including negligent rescue operations and future agree that if, despite this release, waiver of liability, and assumption of risk I, or anyone on my behalf, makes a claim against any of the releasees, I will indemnify and hold harmless each of the releasees from any loss, liability, damage, or cost, which any may incur as the result of such claim. I understand every precaution will be taken to provide a safe environment and I authorize the Creative Cheer coaching staff to account for me according to their best judgment in the event my child needs emergency medical attention. I hereby authorize Creative Cheer coaches and/or medical personnel to administer any necessary first aid. I accept any and all expenses that maybe incurred resulting from emergency medical treatment. APPEARANCE AGREEMENT I understand that Creative Cheer from time to time produces promotional material relating to its programs. I understand that as a participant in and/or a spectator at the Club/Clinic/Camp, Minor may be included in videotapes, photographs, DVD s, Podcasts and video casts taken during the clinic. Therefore, without reservation or limitations, I, in my own behalf and on behalf of the Minor, hereby assign, transfer and grant to Creative Cheer its successors, assignees, licensees, sponsors, any television networks, and all other commercial exhibitors the exclusive right to photograph and/or videotape Minor and to utilize such videotapes and photographs and Minor s name, face, likeness, voice and appearance as part of the cheer club, in advertising and promoting the cheer club or in advertising and promoting future events conducted by Creative Cheer. I further understand that neither Creative Cheer nor any third party is under any obligation to exercise any of the foregoing rights, licenses and privileges. I, in my own behalf and on behalf of the Minor, waive any right to inspect or approve any materials related thereto. Date Parent/Legal Guardian Name Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Team Member Name Team Member Signature Creative Cheer, LLC / www.creativecheer.com / 123CreativeCheer@gmail.com P a g e 7 of 7