All- ALL-STAR CHEER Team Handbook 2015-2016 Season infiniti Athletics, Inc. 1300 Melissa Drive, Suite 100, Bentonville, AR 72712 479-715-6840 cheer@infinitiathletics.com
Welcome to the infiniti Athletics All-Star Cheer Program! Our mission is to create a positive environment that will enrich the lives of our athletes by teaching the value of hard work, commitment, & teamwork while providing the fundamental building blocks to be successful and confident in all aspects of life. This handbook will cover the tryout process and general guidelines for the season and included forms required for the 2015-16 Cheer Season. All handbook rules apply to participation at the gym and at all other venues. This includes competitions, clinics, and any other activity attended by the infiniti All Star Cheerleaders. We look forward to a fun, positive, and rewarding season. Thank you in advance for your dedication in allowing this to be a successful program for everyone involved. Placement Evaluations Pre-Placement April 27 th May 7 th 2015 Final Placement Day - May 9 th, 2015 There are 3-4 pre-placement sessions for each athlete to attend prior to final placement evaluations on May 9 th. Following the May 9 th evaluations, infiniti staff will meet to assemble the tentative team rosters for the upcoming season. Our focus is to assemble teams that will have the best possible chance of a successful competitive season. Each team will be comprised of a variety of athletes with a variety of talents. Within 48 hours of tryouts, the tentative team assignments will be posted to our web site (all team placements are tentative and any changes will be finalized by late July). Each team will have an introductory team practice the week of May 11 th where they will meet their teammates and coaches and have their first practice. The summer practice schedule will be finalized by May 16 th with full Summer practices starting the week of May 18 th. All registration paperwork with your first month s payment is due no later than your first practice. The Fall practice schedule and Season Competition Schedule will be finalized by June 1 st. Unfortunately, we cannot determine how many or what levels of teams we will have until after tryouts are complete. Typically all athletes who attend tryouts will be selected for a team, however, if we have a number of athlete s with a variety of levels that do not fit into one of the competitive teams then these athlete s may be placed in classes in preparation for one of our Fall infiniti Prep Teams. 2 P age
Placement Evaluations (continued) NEEDED FOR PRE-PLACEMENT EVALUATIONS: $75 tryout fee for new athletes on Day 1 of Pre-Placements ($20 for returning athletes) Picture of athlete trying out with completed Cheerleader Information Form Completed Family Commitment & Financial Commitment Forms Wear black shorts and black top, tennis shoes, no jewelry, & have your hair in a high pony tail Parents: There will be a meeting held with all NEW parents while the cheerleaders are being th th th evaluated on May 9. Returning parent meetings are May 6 & May 7 Parents are not allowed in the gym during tryouts tryouts are closed. PRE-PLACEMENT SESSIONS SEE WEB SITE PLACEMENT EVALUATION DAY (May 9th): Ages 11 & Under: 9:00 a.m. Ages 12 & Up: 11:00 a.m. Costs & Time Commitments Competitive cheerleading, while not as costly as some youth activities, can still be an expensive sport. Please carefully consider the financial commitment involved. At infiniti, we are as up-front with our costs as possible to avoid unexpected expenses throughout the season. We have all-inclusive pricing plans that cover practically ALL of the expenses needed to be a part of the competitive cheer team. Tuition Rates: The finalized 2015-16 tuition rates will be provided at placement check-in. Expect to pay between $225$275 per month plus down payment REMEMBER, this includes everything required for the season. * infiniti has 4 payment plans available monthly plan, installment plan, fees up front, & pay in full. * Our pricing includes nearly everything needed for an entire season. * Team members receive discounts on additional classes, merchandise, and events! Tuition Prices Includes: All team practices & weekly tumble class. Full Cheer Uniform 1 Pair of Cheer Shoes 3 Practice Tops 1 Practice Hair Bow 1 Competition Hair Bow Base Competition Make-Up Choreography Camp (including meals) Choreography & Music Fee Competition Fees (excludes Summit) Personalized Car Decal USASF Registration Fees Discounts on Open Gyms & Stunting Year-End Banquet for Cheerleader 3 P a g e Not Included in Tuition Pricing: Travel Expenses Optional Clinics Summit Fees (if qualified add $450 plus lodging, travel, and food expenses)
CHEERLEADER COMMITMENT: Cheerleading is a sport that requires total commitment. This year round commitment to the team must be taken very seriously. It is important that all team members attend all practices and competitions. This requires time management skills and involvement in other activities will need to be arranged around cheerleading practice schedules and competition dates. One member missing practice results in a poor practice for the rest of the team. It is also very important to arrive on time to all practices so that the team is able to warm up and get stretched so we can begin practice as a team. ALL STAR TIME DEMANDS The average time an All-star will spend in the gym will be approximately 6-8 hours. This amount of time is very limiting given the amount of categories that an all-star will practice on and compete. We do support school and religious required events first; however, missing a practice because of other reasons is not acceptable (this includes homework, family trips, and other recreational activities). FULL SEASON OBLIGATION We ask for a seasonal commitment from each athlete (and family). Our season runs from May until the following April; If for some unfortunate reason, you do not complete your obligation, you will not be refunded any tuition, money spent on fees, fundraising monies, etc. If you quit the team after Labor Day - there will be a $350 withdrawal fee. ATTENDANCE If you are in town you need to be at practice unless approved otherwise prior to missing practice. Attendance is critical to team success and any time a cheerleader is absent for any reason it directly impacts the rest of the team being able to practice effectively. Excused absences are considered Doctor excused illness or injury, pre-planned family vacation, or family emergency while we do understand these types of absences will happen, any cheerleader with an excessive amount of absences or reliability concerns will be discussed and their spot on the team can be in jeopardy. Any situations that regard attendance or absence will need to be presented to the coaches far in advance. Please report any upcoming excused absences to your coach at least 2 weeks prior to the absences. Missing practice for any reason within 2 weeks prior to a competition will jeopardize your spot in the routine for that competition. Missing practice the week of competition will result in being benched for that competition. Being late to practice or leaving early is also very damaging to the teams practices. The first two tardies or leaving practice early will be a warning, after the third, it will be considered an unexcused absence. If you are injured or sick (fever, contagious illness, vomiting excluded), you are still expected to attend practice so you may see any and all changes that affect the team. In addition, you must provide a doctor note with detailed information regarding any illness or injury that will prohibit an athlete from participating or attending. If an athlete has a school function that results in a grade or has a required school event, this will be excused. Social school and non-school functions/activities are unexcused. 4 P age
COMMUNICATION & MISC INFORMATION Please check-in with your designated Team Parent to make sure you are not missing any information being sent out. Both infiniti and the Team Parent will be communicating with you regularly with details on upcoming events, planning for competition, and any general coaches or gym information. It is extremely important that our records be kept current. Please update on-line any changes to your address, email address, telephone number(s), and/or medical information for the cheerleader. All routines/choreography including cheers, dances, stunts, transitions, and tumbling should be highly protected and shall not be shown or discussed with others. INFiNiTi choreography should not be taught or copied to anyone without the consent of infiniti. NO VIDEOS of routines, choreography, or tryout material should be uploaded to any social network sites such as YOUTUBE or Facebook, etc Only Jim Mootz can approve the use of the infiniti name and logo and anything created without our approval will not be acceptable and cannot be used. CAN I CHEER ON THE SCHOOL CHEER TEAM AND STILL DO ALL-STAR CHEERLEADING? Yes! School cheer is a great avenue for learning how to truly cheer for a team and lead school spirit. We work to support our kids doing both as much as possible. There are times when All-Star Competitions and practices must be a priority, but this will be outside of your school competitive cheer season. We want to be balanced and will work our schedules as much as possible not to conflict with school cheer. Communication is key! We want to see our All-Stars as the cheerleaders for their individual schools, and we want to train them to better their school cheer as well. PRACTICES: infiniti requests that parents limit watching practice to one practice per month. Our Annex building (CLUB Bldg.) will be closed to all spectators for the 2015-16 season. For liability reasons, we cannot have parents or siblings in the gymnasium areas at any time unless at the request of a coach. If you need to speak with a coach, please leave a message at the front desk, or email them. The coach s responsibility during scheduled practice time is to the team. The coach can best address your questions or concerns outside of the normal practice and competition times. For the safety of the cheerleaders, parents should refrain from distracting them at any time. This includes speaking with a cheerleader, giving direction, coaching or gesturing in any way during practice or at competitions. You will be asked to leave if there is any interference with the cheerleaders. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated to ensure the safety of all the cheerleaders. Please be on time and prepared for practices. Hair must be in a high pony no more than 4 from the hairline, practice bow in, wearing appropriate clothing, and cheer shoes on. No jewelry, no gum & no phones are allowed in the gym. 5 P age
ALL-STAR TUMBLING & FLIERS Each team has 1-hour of required tumbling each week as part of practice time to the All-Star program. As you may know, tumbling has a very important role in all-star cheerleading and we have created special All-Star classes that will last the entire season in order for the cheerleaders to improve their tumbling skills throughout the competition season. These classes are included in your monthly tuition and are mandatory not optional! In addition, infiniti offers a discount for All-Star Team Members if they wish to take additional tumble classes. Fliers will have a required weekly flier class to work on and improve skills needed to compete as an infiniti Athletics flier. COMPETITIONS Members of infiniti All-Stars may not compete as a member of another All-Start competitive cheerleading team. Competitions are not optional and all team members are required to participate in every competition. Out of town competitions will require travel which parents will be responsible for their own travel arrangements and cost. If a parent is unable to attend a competition, they must make arrangements with other parents for transportation, and accommodations if overnight is required. FUNDRAISING / SPONSORSHIPS Fundraising helps to defer some of the costs incurred as a member of the cheerleading program. We strongly encourage you to participate in various fundraising events throughout the year. We will have a Lead Parent volunteer to coordinate the Fundraising activities for the year. With effort and organization fundraising can go a long way to help cover the cost of your children. All fundraising can be applied directly towards your tuition/fees. infiniti will not be coordinating fundraising events or be responsible for fundraising directly but will support the efforts of the parents involved and will help promote any fundraising material and will allow the use of our facility to assist based on availability. Sponsorship forms are available from infiniti and parents are encouraged to either sell sponsorships to businesses or individuals or become a sponsor themselves if possible. We have a great program that will help local businesses advertise while helping to assist the financial needs of children interested in All-Star Cheerleading. infiniti has a very limited amount of scholarships available upon approval for families in financial need. The scholarship program is funded through donations, advertising packages, and infiniti driven fundraisers. If you are in need of assistance please let either the infiniti Management or your team coach know at any time. If you are interested in donating to the scholarship fund please contact a member of infiniti Management. 6 P age
UNIFORM Uniform fittings will take place in August and we anticipate uniform delivery to be in October. Cheer shoes will be ordered in May for arrival in late June. Cheer shoes should only to be worn to practice and competitions so they will hold up for the entire season. Uniforms must be worn at all times at all cheer competitions as an infiniti Cheerleader. Additional shoes can be ordered through infiniti. SUMMER CLINIC It is mandatory that all Cheerleaders attend Stunt Camp and Choreography Camp. Stunt camp will be between June 18 th & June 21 st. Choreography camp is between July 26 th & August 2 nd. There will be a few optional camps throughout the summer as well as a SWIFT Fit Summer Conditioning program. We highly recommend SWIFT Fit Workout class for all cheerleaders. infiniti All-Stars Rules and Regulations Parents and cheerleaders should remember to be respectful and courteous to others at all times. A positive attitude and good sportsmanship are integral parts of the cheerleading program. The behaviors below as well as all others mentioned in this handbook encourage teamwork and must be followed. Members may be reviewed for any infractions of rules listed in this handbook or posted in the gym. 1. Social Media comments regarding infiniti, team members, other gyms, etc... should be made only in a positive fashion. NO NEGATIVE COMMENTS! If you see inappropriate comments at any time please report them to our Cheer Director immediately and do not respond to them. 2. No gossip about any other team or gyms (school or all-star) 3. No smoking, drinking of alcoholic beverages or use of drugs. This will warrant immediate dismissal from the squad. 4. Challenging the authority of the coach or person in charge, by student or parent, will be automatic dismissal from team. 5. Abusive behavior, lying or any other negative form of behavior is ground for dismissal. 6. Each member will follow all rules and guidelines given by the coach or person in charge. 7. Any negative behavior towards an INFiNiTi member or to another gym will result in dismissal from the team. 8. Be respectful of the facility and always take care when using equipment and pick up after yourself in all areas of the facility. Set an example to others by being respectful at all times. 9. Inappropriate dress attire is not tolerated (including visible mid-riffs, low cut tops, shorts worn too short, etc ) 10. No profanity or abusive language. 11. We want our All-stars to use the gym as often as possible, but no child should be dropped off at the gym unsupervised. 7 P age
Leadership 1. Each member must be aware that no person has a right to be on the infiniti All-Stars Cheer Team, it is a privilege. 2. Each member and parent must be aware of the responsibilities required & the commitment he or she is making to the team. 3. Each member must be willing to cooperate with and be helpful to the coach or any person in charge. 4. Each member must realize the manner in which they conduct themselves while representing infiniti All-Stars directly reflects on the entire squad and coaches. 5. Each member will be willing to work hard, take directions, and strive for excellence. Expectations 1. Members will set and maintain the highest examples of behavior. 2. Members will maintain the proper appearance with no extremes in apparel, extreme hairstyles or colors, or unsafe piercings. Coach s decision is final. 3. MEMBERS WILL BE ON TIME TO ALL ACTIVIITIES! 4. Members will do everything in their power to achieve personal and squad goals. 5. Each member is responsible for finding out any missed information. 6. All cheerleaders will be on a 60-day team placement probationary period. Three Strike Rule infiniti has a 3-strike rule to help ensure respect and discipline is in place with all cheerleaders at all times. The purpose of this rule is to uphold team member accountability for the team commitment they have each made at the beginning of the season and is a disciplinary rule for those times when a team member may not be meeting that commitment they made to the team, to you as a parent, and to infiniti. Here is how it works: Strike 1- Any time a team member is not meeting their commitment (i.e. displaying appropriate behavior and attitude, treating infiniti and others with respect, coming to practice, etc...) they will be given a strike and removed from practice (either for a portion of practice or the entire practice depending on severity). Strike 2- same reason as strike 1, however this will be entire practice and parents will be notified Strike 3 - same reasons and this will result in a meeting between their coach, team member, parent, and a Director to determine if they are eligible to remain on the team Parental obligations 1. Make sure your son/daughter is on time and attends all practices and events. 2. Parents are to inform the coaches if the student is to be late or absent from practice. 3. Parents need to check with the front desk frequently for any new team information. 4. Please do not send messages of important information through someone else. 5. Parents are to fulfill any financial obligations on time 6. Parents are to encourage and support your child to be the best they can be. 7. Any negative behavior towards an infiniti member, the infiniti Gym, infiniti staff member, or to another gym, via any medium, will result in dismissal from the team. 8 P age
infiniti All-Star Cheerleaders Please make sure you are ready for this! This sport requires a lot of dedication, support, cooperation, hard work, and team unity. If you answer No to any of the following questions, please re-evaluate your decision to join our All-Star Cheer Program and make sure you will be able to fulfill your commitment. Ø Can you dedicate 100% effort at practices & competitions as required? Ø Will you be able to travel to all cheer competitions? Ø Are you a team player? Ø Are you able to meet the financial obligations for cheer functions? Ø Can you handle constructive criticism without being negative towards coaches? Ø Can you always demonstrate good sportsmanship? Ø Are you willing to help a fellow squad member when needed and show them respect? If you have answered yes to the above questions, then we welcome you to our team. We look forward to helping you be the best you can be and achieve success from your hard work. ~ infiniti All teams will have an information meeting during their first week of practice. This meeting will go over the coach s expectations of your new team. Please make plans to attend this meeting. 9 P age
Family Commitment Cheerleader & Parent Agreement I, (parent/guardian), have read and fully understand the rules and regulations, which will govern my son/daughter as he/she has chosen to represent infiniti Athletics. I further understand that attendance at all practices, competitions, performances, meeting the financial obligation, and choreography camp is required to participate with infiniti Athletics competitive All-Star Cheer Teams. If I have a concern or conflict that I would like to discuss, I will have this discussion in private with the coach or infiniti management outside of the normal practice time and never at a competition, and will not participate in negative side conversations with other parents or with cheerleaders but will address direct my concerns with infiniti Coaches or Management only. I, (participant) shall fulfill all of the requirements to the best of my ability as set forth in the Policies & Guidelines Handbook. I have read these policies and understand that if I fail to maintain these rules, I will be removed from the Team. As the parent/guardian, I hereby give my consent for, to be a cheerleader for infiniti Athletics All-Star Cheer program. Parent signature Date Participant signature Date Return this page (completed) at placement check-in. 10 P age
Financial Commitment Return this page (completed) at placement check-in. 2015-2016 Financial Commitment I have read the Tuition/Fee Information and fully understand my commitment to infiniti Athletics outlined in this Tryout Packet. I understand that my commitment is for the 2015-2016 All-Star competitive season. I understand that I am giving my credit card/debit card information and that information will be used if I do not meet payment deadlines to infiniti Athletics. I understand that I will forfeit any monies paid if I choose to leave a team or am asked to leave the program and that there are no refunds when leaving the team. If I choose to leave the team, there may be additional fees due if I am on the Monthly payment plan and if I quit after Labor Day there is a $350 withdrawal fee. I understand that I am entering into this program of my own free will. Parent Signature: Date: Name as it appears on the card: Billing Address: Card Type: Credit Card Number: Exp. Date: / Card Holder s Signature: Cheerleader s Name: Select one option below if you plan to bring in payment at the beginning of each month then check the 1 st box if you want your payment automatically charged each month, check box 2. Do Not Charge Card unless I have not paid by the 11 th of the month Please charge my Card on the 3 rd of Every Month as auto-pay EVERYONE is required to submit credit card/debit card information to have on file. It is your responsibility to inform the front desk of any changes to this card. Monthly fees are billed to your infiniti account on the 1 st of every month. Payment is expected on or before the 10 th. This credit card will be charged for any outstanding balance on the 11 th of the month. ** Due to the timing of tryouts, May charges will be run after team placements are announced. ** 11 P age
Cheerleader Information Form Photo Name: Last First Birthdate: Age on August 31st: Grade: Cheerleader Email: Cheerleader Cell: Parents Name(s) Parent Email: Parent Cell: Home Address: Home Phone: Are you a school cheerleader? If so, what school? Did you cheer last year? YES NO If yes - was it an infiniti full year, infiniti prep, or another gym? Return this page (completed) at placement check-in. 12 P age