Cheer

About the YMCA REBELS Cheer Program
The YMCA REBEL’s competitive cheer program began in December 2005 with a Senior Prep Level 3 team for students ages 11-18. Since August of 2006, the YMCA has three separate competitive teams. We have a Mini team for ages 4-8, a Youth team for ages 7-11 and our Junior team for ages 8-14.

At the beginning of March each year, we begin rebuilding our teams for the next competition season. Competition season runs from August through February. During this time, we have practices that focus on learning a competitive routine. About twice a month, we travel and compete against other all star cheer teams in our division.

Beginning in March, our practices focus on gaining skills necessary for the competitive season. Floor tumbling and stunting are a huge part ofoff season practices. We train students on motion technique and jump technique as well as put together and perform mini routines to take around to local community events.

MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to provide a safe and encouraging environment for our areas youth. It is not only our priority to build strong cheer skills, but to build strong character skills in our participants. Through participation in competitive cheerleading and community service, we promote caring, responsibility, trustworthiness and respect to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

GOALS
It is our goal to build “champions in life.” Through competitive cheerleading participants gain confidence, a since of teamwork, leadership skills, strong work ethic, commitment, dedication, and integrity, all of which allow participants to reach their full future potential in pursuing higher education, cheerleading opportunities, or career opportunities.

Jodie Tull – Coach/Choreographer: 14 years experience: GSSA, ACCA, USASF, First Aid, CPR certified

Allison Gestry – Participated in Competitive Gymnastics for 8 years. Coached gymnastics for 3 years.

Team Colors
The YMCA Rebels Cheer All Stars team sports the YMCA national colors of Red and Black. We also accent our uniforms with Silver.

Ages
18 years and under
Graduating seniors who are still age 18 as of May 31st. are eligible for the 2008-2009 season.

Candidates in the 12-13 age range must have a standing back-hand-spring to be eligible to try-out for the Junior team.

Candidates in the 7-11 age range must have a standing back walkover to be eligible to try-out for the Youth team.

At this time we are not offering the Elite program for 12-18 year olds

Junior Team – ages 8-14. All students must have a front and back walk over to try out for this team.

Cheerleaders will be placed on teams according to age and tumbling skill level as well as other various skills.

MEMBER EXPECTATIONS/COMMITMENTS FOR THE COMPETITION TEAMS

Team Member Expectations
A YMCA REBEL cheerleader must have;
Strong Motion/Jump skills Dedication Drive Focus
Good Work Ethic Positive Attitude Teamwork Skills
Perseverance Ability to Follow Directions Love of Competition
Tumbling Skills are preferred but not required with the exception of the 12-13 age range trying out for the Junior team and the 7-11 age range trying out for the Youth team.

Attendance
Attendance IS MANDATORY. We only practice one night per week and participants must attend. This is a competitive program and without perfect attendance, your entire team suffers. One person’s absence has a profound effect on the entire team especially as it relates to stunt groups. When one member is absent, an entire stunt group can not practice that evening. Continual absences have a large effect on the morale and advancement of the team. Team members with attendance issues WILL be replaced by alternates. Cheerleaders who are replaced by alternates will not be refunded any monthly dues, competition fees, camp fees or spirit pack fees. Please note, if you can not be a dedicated and committed member of the YMCA Rebel cheer team please do NOT TRY-OUT.

Time Commitment
Off Season Schedule – March-July
Open to anyone ages 3-18
Tumbling, stunting, motion technique and jump
technique are the main focus during the off season.

Fundraising activities and public appearances throughout the summer: dates and events TBA.

Note
March – July is a heavy training time for the upcoming competitive season.
The 2nd. Thursday in August we begin the competition performance routine. Because these are competitive cheer programs, it is vital that you as parents and students in the program are committed. All of the skills learned during the summer will be put into the routine in August. We do allow for summer time vacationing (this must be pre-arranged) but after August, your student must be committed to attending every practice. If attendance is an issue, your student will be replaced by an alternate with no refunds.

Regular Schedule – August-Late February
Practices: Every Thursday Evening (Time varies based on team)

Competitions: Approximately two per month beginning in October for the Junior team, December for the Youth team and February for the Mini team.

Practices focus solely on the instruction, learning and perfecting of the competition season routine.

Mandatory Parent Meeting:
There will be a mandatory parent meeting only for the parents of cheerleaders who wish to be on one of the competitive teams on the last Thursday in July. This meeting will detail out expenses and competition schedules as well as additional practice days in December. It is the hope that this meeting will allow parents and their cheerleader the opportunity to assess their personal commitment to the program prior to try-outs.

2nd. Thursday in August : At this meeting we will be finalizing our competition teams, handing out our 2008/2009 competition schedule and distributing other parent information. We will begin our official competition season the 1st. Thursday in August with try-outs. Please make your vacation plans around these dates. Schedule last minute summer trips Friday-Wednesday but be back for Thursday evening practices.

TYPES OF PROGRAMS/COSTS

The YMCA currently has 3 competitive cheer teams
Mini-ages 4-8 - No try-outs required up to 20 members
members. No tumbling experience required.

Youth-ages 7-11 (7-8 depending on skill level) Try-outs required. A standing back walk-over is required or coach’s permission.

Junior Prep -ages 8-14 - Try-outs are required and students
must have a standing back handspring to try-out or coaches permission.

Prices Off Season, Competition Season Days/Times
Mini -     $45.00/mo.          $40/mo        Thursday 4:30-5:20pm
Youth - $45.00/mo.          $65/mo        Thursday 5:20-6:30pm
Junior - $60.00/mo.         $80/mo          Thursday 6:30-8:30pm

Additional Costs to parents/guardians (Competition Teams)
Spirit Pack - $40.00 This consists of a pair of shorts, a shirt and a bow and
must be worn to all practices. This is a one time fee. (The bow
is also used for competitions).

Competition fees – range from $25.00-$55.00/competition depending on the
company we are competing with. Competition fees are
included in your competition season monthly dues or up
front dues.

Nationals – If qualified, approximately $500.00 per team member (Held in
March or April) Not included in monthly dues or up front fees.

Camp fee - $100.00 per student. Required only for Junior and Youth teams.
Camp is held in the summer and is Mandatory. Dates TBA.

Uniforms – provided by the YMCA (skirt and body liner) for a refundable
rental fee of $280.00

Uniform accessories – Shoes $30.00 (Wall Mart cheer shoes)
Socks $5.00/bag (Wall Mart – No show socks)
Briefs $6.00 (Ordered)
Bow (same as spirit pack no additional charge)
Total: $41.00 (All prices are subject to change)

It is the policy of the Y that unpaid accounts will result in your student being benched until all accounts are paid in full. Monthly dues are collected on the last Thursday of each month and late on the 2nd. Thursday of each month.

Fundraisers
Since the YMCA is a non-profit organization, parents and students when applicable must participate in fundraisers. Fundraising money goes directly towards uniforms, camp fees, competitions, supplies, and coaches training.

Public Appearances/Community Service
All levels are required to participate in public appearances and community service projects. Examples of this include, appearances at the Yuba City Mall, Plumas St. Summer Stroll, Yuba/Sutter fair performances, Relay For Life (Kids Zone) etc.

Instruction
All 3 team levels are trained in motion technique, stunt technique, jump technique, cheer related tumbling, conditioning, and performance routines.

Competitions
All three teams compete
Mini – will compete in one or two competitions depending on readiness
Youth – will compete in three or four competitions depending on readiness
Junior - will compete in at least 5 competitions

End of Season
Banquet – There will be an end of season banquet held following the last scheduled competition.

Uniform Rental - Uniforms must be turned in the last Thursday in February following team pictures. Rental fees will be returned to parents at this time. Cheerleaders must bring clothes to change into following team pictures

TRY-OUTS
Try-outs are required for the Junior and Youth Teams and begin in August. There will be a maximum of 35 spots on the teams. Try-outs will take place every Thursday evening in August during teams regular practice time.

There are no try-outs required at this time for the Mini team. Open enrollment will continue for the Mini team through the end of August. If at that time, the team is larger than 20 members, try-outs will take place to reduce the numbers to 20 per team. Team selection will then be based on dance, jump, tumbling, stunting and motion technique.

Mini – No try-outs up to 20 members. If more than 20 students sign up,
try-outs will be held to reduce the team to 20 members.

It is strongly encouraged that cheerleaders interested in trying out for one of the competitive teams, join the off season class for training and skills building.

A parent must attend try-outs to sign a release form. Parents can observe the learning of the material but are not allowed in the actual try-outs.

*Students have the option of participating in the summer program to improve their tumbling, stunting and basic cheer skills with out participating in copetitions. The regular monthly fee will apply for the class. If in August the student would like to try-out, that is always an option. Many students do not want to try out for the YMCA All Star team but would like to work on developing and improving their skills for their high school, middle school or youth teams.

Regular off season classes end in July and only members of the competition teams are allowed to participate in the Y program from August-February.

*Final team try-outs will take place in August and members will be placed accordingly to skill and age level.

There will be a mandatory parent meeting scheduled once all team selections are finalized, dates TBA.

Team size
Mini – between 5 and 20 members
Youth – between 5 and 35 members
Junior – between 12 and 35 members

YMCA FACILITY

Training Facility
The YMCA building is located on the corner of Plumas St. and Colusa Hwy (Hwy 20). Traveling East on Colusa Hwy, turn left onto Plumas St.
Traveling West on Colusa (coming from Marysville) turn right onto Plumas St.

Openings
Mini (ages 4-8) Open enrollment throughout the year
Youth (ages 7-11 based on skill level) New enrollment begins March 5, 2009
Junior (ages 8-14) New enrollment begins March 5, 2009

AVAILABLE TRAINING FOR SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Cheer and Stunt Clinics – YMCA coaching staff can provide training in stunting, proper jump technique, tumbling, proper motion technique and choreographed routines.

Cheer Tumbling Training - The YMCA offers classes in tumbling related specifically to cheerleading. This can be done as an open enrollment program during the off season (March-July).

Are you interested in trying out for your Junior High or High School team? Train with the Y beginning in March to get ready for your schools cheer try-outs.

CONTACT US
Inquires Contact Jodie Tull at (530) 846-4791 x. 232 or jotull@gridley.k12.ca.us for further questions.

You can also stop by any Thursday evening to check us out and ask further questions

Last modified: 05/06/08 Privacy Agreement/Terms of Use