CHEER FAQ s 2017 Below are some answers to questions you may have regarding the upcoming 2017 season with RJT: How old does my child need to be? Our cheer program is for children ages 5-14. There are six cheer squads: Mascot, Mighty Mite, Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr. Midget, and Midget. If your child is 5 or 6 as of August 1st, 2017, they will be evaluated for placement on our Mascot Squad (Note: a minimum of six mascots are required in order to form a squad) The evaluation for Mascot Placement will be determined by the participant s ability to pay attention and focus long enough to learn a cheer through repetition, follow instructions from the coaches, and focus in a team setting when performing their material. If your child is 5 or 6 years old we require a parent or guardian to stay during the clinic and tryouts. There are bleachers in the gym for families. If your child is between the ages of 6 and 14, as of August 1st, 2017, they will be evaluated for placement on one of our five Sideline Cheerleading Squads. (Mighty Mite, Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr. Midget, and Midget) *Mascots: There is No max age limit on age of Mascots. Mascots* Cheer Squad Age Matrix Age as of August 1 st.2017 Mighty Mites Jr Pee Wee Pee Wee Jr Midget* Midget AGE 5 X 6 X X 7 X 8 X X 9 X X 10 X X X 11 X X X 12 X X 13 X* X 14 X *Mascots: No Max age *Jr. Midgets: (3) 13 year old cheerleaders will be allowed to cheer on the Jr. Midget team. *Midget: High School students are not eligible to participate per SAC league rules Does my child need experience in order to make a cheer squad? No experience is required; however, our cheerleaders need to possess the ability to follow instructions and learn cheer material on pace, stay focused. All elements will be taught at our tryout clinic.
What criteria are evaluated at the clinic & tryouts? Candidates will be evaluated on material taught by our coaches and instructors during the tryout clinic. They will learn a sideline cheer and chant, the Rocklin High School fight song and two jumps. Tumbling and stunting skills will be reviewed and evaluated their attitude, maturity and willingness to work as a team will also be observed and evaluated. What is the Clinic & Tryout Registration Fee? On time registration by April 23 rd =$55 (on time guarantees a tryout t-shirt) Late registration after April 23 rd =$65 The tryout fee covers payment for the facility rental, Clinic lunch & snack, insurance coverage, tryout materials, operational costs, UCA judges, and a tryout t-shirt in your size if ordered by April 23 rd. What are the Squad Size and Placements Details? Mighty Mites Jr. Midgets Each squad can consist of a maximum of 20 cheerleaders, and up to 24 cheerleaders for Midgets. The minimum number for these squads is based on allocation of participants to ensure all squads are created. The exception is Mascots which requires a minimum 6 girls to form a squad and a maximum of 10 cheerleaders. Participant s squad placement will be according to the SAC age matrix, clinic observations, tumbling, stunt experience and the UCA judge s scores and is at the discretion of RJT s VP of Cheer. All efforts will be made to place every child trying out. Important Note: Keep in mind that your daughter is not trying out for a Specific Squad. Please review the Age Metrics on the 1st page, so you know what squads your daughter is eligible for. Summary of Expectations The cheerleading squads will be created after try-outs are completed on May 7 th, 2017. Squad list will be posted on our website that evening. Please make sure you review the list of important dates. The summer camps are vital to the success of the program and attendance is mandatory. Family Volunteer information: Rocklin Jr. Thunder Football and Cheer organization runs solely on the efforts of volunteers. We have no paid coaches, coordinators, administrators or board members. Every family has a required responsibility in order for their child to participate in our program. For full details see the Cheer Parent Handbook on our website. Attendance: Due to the nature of this team sport, where routines, formations, and stunts are created based on the number of cheerleaders per squad, it is mandatory that all members attend each and every practice, camp, game, and competition in order for the squad to be successful. Please see attendance policy located on our website for full details. NOTE: If your child is involved in any other activity, it should be known that cheer is a huge commitment for the cheerleader and his or her family. Because of the nature of the sport, all practices, games and events are mandatory and it will be expected that cheer will take priority over any other activity with the exception of school.
Camps, Clinics & Competitions Camps, stunt clinics and competitions are mandatory. Each team will attend pre-season and season camps and clinics to learn fundamentals, safety and stunt technique. Mandatory Pre-Season Camps, Stunt Clinics & In Season Competitions: The following are mandatory dates you will need to confirm that your child will be able to attend: Mascots do not attend the stunt clinic and halftime camp. Mascot s halftime instruction TBD after squad placements is finalized. May 31st & June 1st Cheerleader Orientation, Meet & Greet (All Squads) June 24th & 25th (Midget only) JAMZ 2-Day camp July 10th, 12th & 13th Stunt Clinic & Half Time Camp (Excluding Mascots) July 17th Home Cheer Camp (All Squads) July 18th Home Cheer Camp (Only Jr. Midget & Midget) July 24th First Day of Practice All Squads Competitions These dates are not available yet. We hope to have them posted during the season registration process. Please note they are typically on a Sunday in October & November. Mascots will perform their halftime routine at our two competitions. JAMZ Cheer competition Sunday, (Date & Times TBD) (Marine World, Vallejo) (confirmed date) SAC League Championship Competition: (Date & Times TBD) Practice: Starting July 24th, the regular season mandatory practices will begin. These practices will be held at Twin Oaks Park usually from 6:00pm-8:00pm, four nights a week. (Time is subject to change) Once school begins, our practices will be reduced to three nights a week. Please be aware, in mid- September all practices will be moved indoors to various school gyms. Practice times vary due to availability. Some practice can start as early as 5:00pm. We will also schedule a couple practices that will be at a local gym with competition spring floors. Mascots have modified schedule that s about half the time of the other squads and parents may be required to stay during practice. What Forms Are Required for Participation? We will need the following forms or your child will not be eligible to participate in the camps, clinics, or on the first day of practice. Coaches will inform you when and where to turn in your paper work. Birth Certificate (new cheerleaders only) SAC 2017 Medical Clearance Form (Signed & stamped by physician after April 15th ) Camp Participant Release and Waiver Form (Prior to attending camp) Is there a Mandatory Fundraiser? Yes we will have a mandatory fundraiser this year. The funds generated from this are vital to the continued success of our program. Each Cheerleader will be required to sell $50.00 for the Fundraiser program. More details and information will be given during the complete registration process and at the start of the season.
What is included in the Cheer Squad Registration Fee? The RJT fee covers the cost of practice facilities, equipment maintenance, insurance, halftime camp, choreography, cheer camp, stunt clinic (excluding Mascots for stunt clinic, halftime camp, and comp music); Six Flags Comp fee, SAC League comp fee, halftime & comp music, skill training, coach certification and other RJT operational costs. Registration also pays for a basic picture package; year-end celebration, trophy, and a camp/spirit wear (shirt and shorts). Midgets will also have an additional camp fee for the JAMZ camp. What is the Cheer Registration Fee by Squad? Mascot: Total:$ 200 Mighty Mite: Total:$ 400 Jr. Pee Wee: Total:$ 400 Pee Wee: Total:$ 425 Jr. Midgets: Total:$ 425 Midgets: Total:$ 525 (Reg. $425+$100 JAMZ Camp) Multiple Child Program Discount: There is a $25 family discount for each additional child in the RJT program (Football & Cheer). Do you have a Mascot Squad? In order to form a Mascot squad we require a minimum of 6 Cheerleaders. Mascots must be at least 5 years (as of Aug 1 st 20017). Mascots have a reduced practice schedule consisting of 1 to 2 practices per week for 1.5 hours each day. We may require our Mascot parents to stay at all of the practices and we do require parents to stay during all games. Mascots may attend a reduced number of selected games. At the games, our mascots only cheer for the first two quarters and perform a half time routine. They may rotate cheering for different football teams or cheer specifically for one team. A schedule will be created prior to the season starting. Mascots do attend our two competitions and will perform the routine they perform during halftime. What is the estimated Uniform Cost? Uniform Cost Estimate: We will continue to use our current uniform. The complete uniform includes: shell top, skirt, liner, kick pants (briefs), socks, shoes, Team Jersey and shorts, pom-poms, and 3 bows (competition/game bow, spirit bow, and Breast Cancer Awareness bow). (Excludes Mascots for some items) Mascot Uniform items *TBD (Will not exceed $210) New Cheerleaders: Mighty Mite to Midget Uniform items $550-$580 Returning Cheerleaders: Mighty Mite to Midget Uniform $230-$270 Used Mighty Mite to Midget uniforms is limited and may be available around half the price of a new uniform. Used Mascot Uniforms will not be offered at the used uniform sale.
Optional Items: The following items are available for optional purchase: team warm-up which includes jacket and pant (set), backpack, duffle bag, extra kick pants, socks and shoes for practice because game shoes are not worn at park practices. Are Used Uniforms Available? Used uniforms may be available for purchase at a reduced cost at the Uniform Sale May, 18th However, this is on a first-come first-serve basis. Fitting times will be listed by squad on the website. Full payment for items purchased at the swap will be due at that time. RJT will accept cash only. If you would like to sell your cheerleaders uniform please fill out the online form and bring them to the Parent Meeting on May 5th. Uniforms must be cleaned and in perfect condition to be accepted. Used Mascot Uniforms will not be offered at the used uniform sale. What expenses are not covered in registration? Gate Admission Charges SAC Football games & Jamborees are: Adult $5.00, Senior Citizen and child 5-12 $3.00 (Children under 5 free) Entrance Fee for family and friends for the two season Competitions Snack fund $20 collected for each squad: This is collected by the Team Parent at the start of the practice season End of the season coaches gifts $20: This is collected by the Team Parent at the end of the season. RJT values the opportunity to educate and inspire the children in our community. For full details please read the 2017 Cheer Parent Handbook and other documents located on our website: www.jrthunder.com. GO THUNDER!!!