*REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPT 1 for cheerleading only*
Gloucester Youth Cheerleading is open for grades K-8. GYF is a member of MYCA and is open to residents of Gloucester in the Kindergarten-8th grade. Preseason begins early August and concludes in early November. We will have our MYCA Competition early November (date TBD) and we do an Exhibition locally prior to this. Our practices are held at O'Maley Middle School and will then change to indoors at one of our schools when it gets colder out. Practices are usually 2 days/nights a week and one game on the weekend. Teams are broken up by grades generally (sometimes varies) A Team is 7 & 8th, C Team 5 & 6th, D Team 3 & 4th and E Team 1-2. K will have two practices a week and will cheer with E teams for our home games. These teams many vary depending on numbers. Reach out to our cheer directors via email on the contact page located on our website with any questions.
The primary goals of Gloucester Youth Cheer are to:
• Promote and uphold town spirit, unity and pride at games, school, and in the community.
• Represent the football program to the highest degree by setting an example of good behavior and sportsmanship at all times.
• Promote goodwill with other towns that we compete against in the Cape Ann League.
• Maintain a successful and safe competitive cheer program.
• Help our cheerleader athletes develop qualities that will enable them to achieve success in all future endeavors.
The GYF program incorporates both Game Day Cheer and Competitive Cheer.
Game Day Cheer
Game Day cheerleaders perform sideline routines, half time routines and dances to inspire crowd spirit at youth football games.
Competitive Cheer
Competitive cheerleading consists of performing a combination of gymnastics, dance and stunts. Teams of up to 25 members compete against other youth cheerleading programs according to age and ability levels. Routines last for 2 minutes 30 seconds and are judged based on level of difficulty, precision, creativity and entertainment value.
GAME INFORMATION:
• The game day schedule is available the week before Labor Day.
• Games start the weekend after Labor Day.
• Games are one per week on Sunday. We may have one or two Saturday games TBD
• All cheerleaders travel to both home and away games.
• All games are mandatory.
WHAT ITEMS WILL NEED TO BE PURCHASED:
• Cheer sneakers (white)
• Boy Shorts (black)
• Mocktop (black)
• Black leggings for chilly days at the field
• Cheer jacket (optional)
WE PROVIDE
• BOWS ( including a breast cancer bow for the month of October)
• BOTH Shell and Skirt (handed out and returned at the end of the season)
-All information regarding where to purchase all items not included in the registration fee will be distributed via email prior to the start of the season by our directors.
ABSENCE POLICY:
Cheerleading is unlike other sports that there are no subs waiting on the bench and that each cheerleader on the team has a position. When one child is missing, that means one entire stunt group is unable to practice their stunt or that the entire team may be unable to practice their pyramid. Please be mindful when your child is unable to make important practices.
• All practices, games, choreography days and competitions are mandatory, that being said we understand that children get sick or may have an absence.
• After 2 unexcused absences the coach reserves the right to remove your child from the competition team and have him/her participate as a game day cheerleader.
• All absences need to be communicated to your child's’ coach in advance of missing a practice/game.
PRACTICE FREQUENCY & LENGTH:
Mascots (Kindergarten): 2 days per week 1 hour each
A,B,C,D,E & JVE Teams:
2 days per week 1.5-2 hours. (Around competition there will be a day added per week)
*Only new cheerleaders to the program must provide a copy of their birth certificate.
If you cheered last year, you do not need to provide one. ***please note... your daughter will not be allowed to practice, attend games or receive a uniform until it is passed in. These are due to MYCA by Sept 1st