2015 cheer handbook

OAK RIDGE JUNIOR TROJANS
2015 Cheer Handbook
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ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
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2015 Team Information
THE ORJT Cheer Program has 6 squads/divisions:
Squads
Try Out?
Mascot
No
Mighty Mites
No – first come, first serve
Jr. Pee Wee
Yes
Pee Wee
Yes
Jr. Midget
Yes
Midget
Yes
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Age divisions are listed below; please refer to diagram when selecting the squad for clinic and try outs. The
Cheerleaders' age as of August 1st, 2015 shall be the certified age for the coming season, use this age for placement.
Please Note: 14 year olds must be in 8th grade, High School students are not permitted.
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Oak Ridge Jr. Trojans Cheer Squads Age Requirements – SAC League
Age
Mascot
Mighty Mite
6
X
X*
7
X
X
8
X
X
Jr. Pee Wee
Pee Wee
Jr. Midget
X
9
X
X
10
X
X
X
X
X
11
Midget
12
X
X
13
X
14
X
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ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
Mascots – Ages 5 to 8, (age 4 upon evaluation)
The Mascot squad is an actual cheer squad, not a team of organization Trojan “Mascots.” The Mascot Program will
be based on a first come basis starting at Clinic Sign Ups. Kids younger then 5 will be evaluated during clinic to
ensure they are ready for cheer. Mascots receive full cheer uniforms, practice 2 days a week August and September,
3 days a week in October to prepare for competition, and attend Half Time Camp. Mascots will be cheering for an
Oak Ridge High School football game, ORJT home games, and a possible away game. Mascots perform at the SAC
League competition as an exhibition, meaning they will not be judged with a score and placement.
Mighty Mites - Ages 7 to 8, (age 6 upon evaluation)
This age group (team) will be based on a first come basis starting at Clinic Sign Ups. We will take the first 25 girls
that come to Clinic sign-ups and sign up to be on the Mighty Mite squad for the season. If you are ONLY signing up
for Clinic and do not want to participate in the season, PLEASE indicate at sign ups so you are not counted in the first
25. A 6-year old can be considered for the MM squad if space allows and evaluation during Clinic permits. This
group is an official cheer squad for the season with the same # of practice days as all other squads, attends both
Stunt and Half Time Camp, cheers for ORJT home and away games, and participates in 2 competitions.
Tryouts are NOT required for Mascots or Mighty Mites. 6 year olds can be considered for Mighty Mite squad
upon space and evaluation during clinic.
Jr. Pee, Pee Wee, Jr. Midget and Midgets
These are regular season squads, up to 25 per squad will be allowed. These squads will receive all of the cheer
uniforms, attend all camps, have practice 4 days a week in August and October, 3 days a week in September, cheer
at home/away games, cheer at 1-2 Oak Ridge HS games, attend and compete in 2 competitions.
** Jr. Midgets ONLY - A maximum of three (3) – 13 year old cheerleaders will be allowed to cheer on the Jr.
Midget team as long as they have NO PRIOR cheer experience.**
Squad Placement/Tryout Information
Tryouts will be held Saturday, May 16th at Flip N’ Twist in El Dorado Hills. Tryouts are used to select cheerleaders for
Jr. Pee Wees, Pee Wees, Jr. Midgets, and Midget divisions if a squad has more than 25 girls that sign up. If a squad
has less than 25, no cuts are made. Mascots and Mighty Mites are first come, first serve, no tryouts are required.
Position placement on squads will be determined during the season. Please do not talk to your coaches about
desired position placement. All girls will be placed in positions based on safety and to meet the best needs of the
entire squad. Please remember and teach your girls that EVERY position is important and one is not better then the
other.
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ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
2015 Mandatory Tryout Dates
Event
Date
Location
Time
Cheer Clinic
May 11-14
Oak Ridge High School
5:30-7:30pm
Cheer Tryouts
May 16
Flip N’ Twist
9 am – Midgets
10am – Jr. Midgets
11am – Pee Wee
12pm – Jr. Pee Wee
Cheer Fittings
May 17
Oak Ridge High School
8 am – Midgets
9 am – Midgets
10am – Jr. Midgets
11am – Pee Wee
12pm – Jr. Pee Wee
1 pm - Mighty Mites
2 pm - Mascots
You must attend your squad time designation for tryouts and fittings
All Cheerleaders are strongly encouraged to prepare themselves prior to tryouts with aerobic exercise and endurance running.
This will help all athletes in learning and performing through the clinic. This is a competitive sport that requires physical
commitment.
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What to wear to Tryouts:
1. Clinic T-shirt or White shirt
2. Dark colored shorts (Navy, Black, or ORJT Clinic Shorts)
3. Tennis shoes (no Heelies, heavy soled shoes or slip-ons)
4. Hair in a tight, high pony tail, NO fly away hair
5. Cheer Bow
6. Water
7. Cheer bag/back pack to keep supplies in
Note: For SAFETY reasons, please adhere to the above requirements to ensure injuries do not occur.
What to NOT to wear or bring:
1. Jewelry/Ear rings, etc.
2. Food, gum, candy, etc.
3. IPOD, Cell phones or any electronics must be kept in cheer bag
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Cheerleaders will be evaluated on the following:
• Cheer Dance Routine
• Cheer Jumps
• Tumbling (standing and running)
• Workable Athlete
• Spirit
• Appropriate Attire
• Overall Impression
** Every effort is made to keep as many cheerleaders as possible. We do have a league maximum of 25
members per team. We will place girls according to grade, age and try-out score.
ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
2015 Mandatory Season Dates
Being an ORJT cheerleader take commitment, responsibility, and dedication. Attendance for various
events, games, camps, practice, competitions, etc., is mandatory. Failure to attend/participate in the
following events can affect your current standing in ORJT and possibly any future seasons. We strive to
give all parents mandatory dates in advance so that you can plan around them. Please review the
mandatory dates before you commit to a spot on the season cheer squad.
* Mark your calendar with the following dates: *
ORJT Mandatory Season Events/Dates
Cheerleader Stunt Camp
Mighty Mites – Midgets
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Location TBD
Half-time Camp
July 18-19, 2015
Location TBD
1st week of conditioning
July 27- 30, 2015
ORHS
Jamboree – Cheer certification
August 15, 2015
ORHS
SAC League Cheer Competition
Nov. 1, 2015
Sac Memorial Auditorium
JAMZ Cheer Competition
TBD
Location TBD
Conditioning is required by SAC League before season
participation
*All cheerleaders must be certified by SAC League to
participate in the season and post season Comp Cheer
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Parents are welcome to host summer parties after any camp events and are much appreciated. We ask
that you take your vacations before our season starts and not schedule any trips during our season.
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What are these events?
Cheerleader Stunt Camp – This camp will teach cheerleaders how to stunt safely and effectively, this will
fall in line with the stunt philosophy of ORHS Cheer. Cheerleaders will learn how to do some of the various
stunts they will be performing through the season. Stunting requires ALL members of the stunt group to be
present for safety and accuracy. Any cheerleader missing from a stunt group causes her group not to
practice, this is a team sport.
Half-Time Camp – Squads will learn the half time routine they will perform at the footballs games
throughout the season.
Conditioning – SAC League requires all athletes to participate in 10 hours of conditioning to safely
participate in the season. Cheerleaders will NOT be allowed to practice or perform without conditioning
ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
requirements being met. Cheerleading is a cardio sport and requires athletes to be in good, conditioned
shape. This is a safety requirement and will be 100% enforced.
Jamboree- SAC League hosts “Jamboree.” Jamboree is an event required by the SAC League, all teams
and cheerleaders must attend Jamboree to get certified for the cheer season. We verify birthdates, squad
placement, check nails and hair. Certification is required for the regular cheer/football season and is
required for any cheerleader wanting to participate in our post season Competition Team. Any non-certified
cheerleaders will be REMOVED from their squad and will NOT be allowed to participate post season.
SAC League Cheer Competition – All cheer squads of the teams in the SAC League participate and
compete in the League competition. Cheer squads will perform their competition routines for placement.
Mighty Mites-Midgets will perform for scores and placements, Mascots perform for exhibition only, they do
not receive a score, but they do receive a medal and gives them the experience of participating in a
competition.
JAMZ Cheer Competition – ORJT Cheer squads will perform their competition routines for placement.
Mighty Mites-Midgets will perform for scores and placements, Mascots do not participate in this event.
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Safety First
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Our first priority is the safety of your child and all of our athletes. The best equipment available and the
most qualified coaches attainable are provided in our program. Again, this year all Head Coaches, at least
1 Asst. Coach, Cheer Uniform Manager, VP of Cheer, and Asst. VP of Cheer will all be AACCA Cheer
Safety Certified.
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We do ask that parents are open about any health issues. Any child that cannot participate in heavy
physical activity such as running or is not able to lift in stunting should consider if competitive cheer is right
for them.
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Cheerleaders do cheer during some of the hottest parts of the day, so if heat is an issue for your child
please consider your child’s safety. We do provide water spray bottles to keep the cheerleaders cool, along
with cold wet towels if needed. Cheerleaders MUST bring their water bottles to all events.
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If your child requires an inhaler, you MUST provide a spare inhaler to the coach during the season and
indicate it on your registration form. ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
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Cheer Expectations:
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ORJT is a part of the El Dorado Hills community; however we are a competitive cheer program. While we
want everyone to have fun, competitive cheer does take hard work and commitment by the cheerleaders as
well as their families. Parents need to ensure and encourage their cheerleader to attend all events and
practices, unless they have an emergency. If there is a temporary injury or sickness, cheerleaders are still
expected to attend games and/or practice to watch, learn, and support their teammates, even if they are not
participating themselves. Along the way your child will make great lasting friendships and memories.
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We will be developing skills and teaching safety in all aspects of cheerleading. This includes dancing,
jumping, motions and stunting. This year, all Head Coaches, at least 1 Asst. Coach, Cheer Uniform
Manager, VP of Cheer, and Asst. VP of Cheer will be AACCA Cheer Safety Certified to ensure that safety is
our #1 priority. AACCA is the governing body for the cheer rules/regulations that SAC League adheres to.
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Cheerleaders will be expected to attend the following: Try-out clinics, try-outs, fittings, camps and practice
3-4 days per week with games on the weekend. It is also MANDATORY to attend competitions toward the
end of the season. Cheerleaders will need to be in good physical shape (endurance, flexibility, strength,
discipline).
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Tumbling is also recommended, but not required to cheer. Part of the points awarded in tryouts will be for
tumbling abilities.
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Prior to conditioning for the season, initial registration must be completed and initial fees must be paid, all
online documents must be signed and a Medical Release Form must be submitted. If your child is selected
to be a Cheerleader for ORJT, a copy of her birth certificate, official report card, and physical examination
form signed by your Doctor must be submitted prior to the first day of practice.
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Returning cheerleaders who were certified to cheer last year will NOT need to submit a birth certificate.
ANY new and other cheerleaders from previous seasons other than last year will need to submit a copy of
their birth certificate. Please do not submit original birth certificates, please bring a copy.
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The Oak Ridge Jr. Trojans do not allow cheerleaders to be on another cheer team during the same
season. This causes scheduling conflicts and safety concerns for the athletes.
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ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
Attendance Policy and Guidelines
For safety and fairness to fellow Cheerleaders, attendance requirements and associated discipline for Jr.
Trojans Cheer Cheerleaders will be as follows:
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Tardiness
• A tardy is defined as arriving at practice unprepared, 5 minutes or more after the agreed upon start
time
• 2 tardies = 1 absence
• Cheerleaders are expected to arrive at least 1 hour prior to their game time
• Excessive tardies will result in a meeting with the Parents, Coaches and VP of Cheer
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Absences
• Cheerleaders will be allowed 3 excused absences for cheer practice during the course of the
season. *NOTE: Excused Absences to practices are for:
- School sponsored events (must discuss in advance with Coach in order to be excused)
- Religious Holidays (Does not include church activities)
- Family Emergencies/Death in the family
- Serious medical illness (MUST have Dr. Note) – if able, cheerleaders are expected to attend
practice to watch and learn, even if they are not practicing
- Excused Absences cannot be used for Competitions, Camps or Mandatory Practice
weeks (competition time)
- Homework is NOT an excused absence
- ** At any time it is as the discretion of the VP of Cheer to determine any special
circumstances.
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ORJT has an excused attendance policy, but it is not designed for a cheerleader to pick 3 days to be
absent because they “feel like it.” This is designed for unforeseen emergencies and illness. Game and
practice attendance is mandatory, if your child is absent, her entire stunt group and squad suffers
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Game/Practice/Event - Pick Up
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• Cheerleaders need to be picked up as soon as practice is over to prevent coaches from having to
stay late. Coaches cannot leave practice until all cheerleaders have been picked up.
• Cheerleaders who want to walk home after practice must bring a note signed by their parent. The
note authorizes them to walk home unsupervised by any ORJT staff.
• Cheerleaders who want to stay at the field after practice and wait for a sibling who is still practicing
will need to bring a note signed by their parent authorizing them to stay at the field without parent
supervision.
• No coach will transport any child home after practice due to being left alone. Legal safety measures
will be taken if a child is left unattended.
• Cheerleaders must be picked up from all games and not left to roam the field with friends. Again,
coaches cannot leave until all cheerleaders have been accounted for. We are not babysitters.
ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
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Practice Guidelines
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• Cheer practice is mandatory to attend, we do not have replacement athletes to take your child’s
spot. Many participants must sit out if we are missing just one cheerleader. Please make every
effort to not have your child miss any practices.
• All practices are closed to parents to limit distractions. We will have parent shows so you can see
all the hard work our cheerleaders are putting in.
• Please do not speak to coaches about your child’s position in any aspect of their cheer team. All
positions/placements are made for the best value of the squad, not individual cheerleader or parent
preferences. If you do not want your child to be a flyer for our program, please do not try out. We
only have 25 positions so to limit our placements puts any team at a disadvantage.
- Positions can change from year to year, please respect the authority of the coaches and
instructors to put the right cheerleaders in the right spots.
ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
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ORJT 2015 Estimated Fees – Registration and Uniform
Mascot
New Uniform
New Uniform
Mascot
MM/JPW/PW
No Uniform or
JM/M
Used Uniform New Uniform
$150
MM/JPW/PW
JM/M
No Uniform or Used
Uniform
$150
Used Vest
$30
$30
Used Skirt
$30
$30
Jacket, Sweatpants, shoes, & Pink Out socks
$165
$165
$165
$165
Stunt and Halftime
Camps
N/A
$110
$150
$150
Registration (ONLINE)
$240
$240
$320
$320
Raffle Tickets N/A
N/A
$100
$100
$100
$100
*Included items listed below
Paid on line
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Volunteer Deposit (Midgets Only)
A parent or guardian MUST be present at fittings to approve order form as items are not returnable. Cheer
uniforms are custom fit and ordered for your child, if you drop from a squad after the order has been
placed, we cannot return any of the items. We accept credit cards, checks, or cash.
A $ 25.00 returned check fee will be required for non-sufficient funds.
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Uniform Exchange
We are providing the uniform exchange again this year. If you have a uniform that no longer fits, you can
sell it at fittings, vest $30 and skirt $30. All uniforms for sale must be turned in to Kirsten Fodge during
clinic at ORHS. If your uniform pieces sell, you will get $30 for each piece. You can sell either piece or
both. Please see Uniform Exchange rules for process.
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If your child needs a uniform, you can either purchase a brand new uniform or look for a used uniform
through the Uniform Exchange. We will have all available used uniforms at fittings for girls to try on. If you
find a used set that fits your daughter, each piece is $30. You can buy only a vest, only a skirt, or both
pieces. Cash or check only, no credit cards for uniform exchanges.
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Stunt and Halftime Camps
Stunt Camp is $40 is for MM/JPW/PW/JM/M. Mascots do not attend Stunt Camp. Halftime Camp is $110
and all squads attend, Mascots/MM/JPW/PW/JM/M. The total for both camps is $150.
ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
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Registration
The registration fee covers/includes the following items:
• Bows – (camp, camp day, Jamboree, pink out and competition)
• Camp Outfit
• Jamboree Outfit
• Personalized ORJT Backpack
• Briefs (spanks) – navy blue and white polka dot game day, pink and white polka dot game day in
October, and solid navy for competition
• Pink Out socks
• Competition Fees (1 comp for Mascots, 2 comps for MM-M)
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Raffle Tickets
Each registrant is required to pre-pay for 20 raffle tickets, valued at $5 per ticket. This means you own all
20 raffle tickets and can enter the raffle for yourself or you can sell the tickets to family/friends to help
recover some of the cost. You can keep a few, sell a few, you can do what you want with the tickets.
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Uniform Payment Plan
A payment plan is available, 25% down, and you must turn in 3 post dated checks to cover the balance.
Inquire for details.
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Registration For Cheer
Once you’ve been offered a position on one of our cheer squads, you will need to go to www.jrtrojans.org to
register your cheerleader in our program. During the online registration, you will pay for your Jr. Trojans
registration, Stunt and Halftime Camps, raffle tickets ($100). Midget families will also pay the volunteer
deposit ($100) for Midget families only. You will also upload a required photo for your child.
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You will also complete and sign all registration forms electronically. You do not need to print any registration
forms during this process unless you choose to. The Medical Authorization form is the only registration form
that must be printed from our website, signed by your Doctor and turned in during our paperwork turn in
event. We will communicate this date at a later time.
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What Is Due At Final Check In?
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1. Medical Clearance Form/Physical Examination Form (physical must be done after April 15, 2015)
2. New cheerleaders only, copy of Certified Birth Certificate
3. Proof of Residency (If not turned in already)
ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill
ORJT Post Season Competition Team
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ORJT will continue our post season competitive team this year. Once our regular season is underway, the
Comp Team coaches will determine the level and ages that will be allowed on this squad. A minimum of 25
members will need to apply for teams to exist. This team will be up to the discretion of the Competitive
Team Cheer Coaches.
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Additional costs are required for this team. The National division is very competitive and for the team to
proceed we will need a minimum of 25 members. ORJT competitive teams give parents and cheerleaders a
full competitive schedule at a very low price. Prices average $600-$750.
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This includes the following:
• 3-4 Regional/Local Competitions
• Nationals at Disneyland
• Facility use fee
• Coaches travel expenses
• Competition Music
• Travel Wear
• Air Fare (one-way)
• Shuttle From airport
• Hotel for 2-3 days
• Disneyland Hopper Pass
• Competition Hair Bow
• Cheer Competition Banquet
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We have found that our competitive teams greatly improve cheerleading skills. Cheerleaders will practice
2-3 days a week in the evening starting immediately after our regular season. Schedule will be released
once the dates get closer. The team usually has 1 Regional competition at the beginning of December and
have the remaining time off until the new year. This season will conclude at the end of February with the
Nationals Competition in the first weekend in March.
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Cheerleading has become a very competitive market with youth cheerleading competing with competition
cheer gyms. We want to give every cheerleader the opportunity to cheer with their friends, learn multiple
routines, increase skills during the year (Youth can cheer up to level 5) while making cheer affordable for all
parents.
ORJT 2015 Cheer Handbook – C. Gill