AZ Sparx was established in 2003 and is located in sunny Tucson, Arizona.

Our mission is to provide an atmosphere where every cheerleader has a chance to reach his or her individual potential and goals. Our success is not measured by just the number of trophies on the wall, but by what each cheerleader can learn from the sport, such as: self motivation, increased self confidence, respect, leadership, friendship, physical fitness, and being able to work with others.

Our home is at Old Pueblo Gymnastics Academy, which is a "fully customized 11,200 square foot, air conditioned state-of-the-art facility located in beautiful Tucson, Arizona. Over the course of three years our gym layout was researched, carefully analyzed and developed using ideas from gyms around the country".


Divisions:

The age of the competitor as of May 31, 2007 will be the age used for competition purposes throughout the 2007-2008 season.

Tiny (Age 5 and under) - 45 minute practice, twice a week / 2-4 competitions

Mini (Age 8 and under) - 1.25 hour practice, twice a week / 3-5 competitions (Out-of-state National to be determined by head coach and parents)

Youth (Age 11 and under) - 1.5 hour practice, twice a week / 5-7 competitions and 1 out-of-state National

Junior (Age 14 and under) - 2 hour practice, twice a week / 6-9 competitions and 1 out-of-state National

Senior (Age 10-18) - 2 hour practice, twice a week / 6-9 competitions and 1 out-of-state National

Open (Age 17+) - 2 hour practice, twice a week / 6-9 competitions and 1 out-of-state National

Extra practice can be scheduled on the weekends if needed, but no more than twice a month and it cannot happen on consecutive weekends. Each extra practice may not go over the time limit of the squad's normal practice length. All extra practices may not interrupt the normal weekend schedule for Old Pueblo Gymnastics Academy.

Any eligible squad who has qualified for The Cheerleading Worlds (April 21st-22nd in Orlando, FL) may enter this competition in addition to the other planned competitions. Accepting a Worlds paid bid, partial bid, or at-large bid will be up to the head coach and a parent vote. Majority wins.


- Season: August-April

- Monthly fee: $50 Tiny and Mini - $80 Youth, Junior, Senior, and Open

Following prices are approximate:

- Shell/Skirt: $100

- Bodysuit: $14

- Bloomers: $6

- Shoes: $39

- Ribbon: $10

- Warm-up: $70

- Bag: $20

- Competition Routine: $100-$150 per cheerleader (Fundraisers target this cost before any other fee) (We will not hire professional services to create routines for the Tiny and Mini divisions.)

- Competition Registration Fees: $25-$110 each cheerleader per competition. $100 will be paid by the cheerleader at the beginning of each season towards these fees. Fundraisers will target this cost after the routines are paid for, but there is no guarantee of covering the entire cost of the competition fees with fundraisers.

- Nationals: $600-$750 (The Tiny division will not go to an out-of-state National. For the Mini division, it will be be up to the head coach if they would like to enter an out-of-state National competition. If yes, there will be a parent vote. Majority wins. The decision will be made by September 1st of that current season.)

It sounds like a lot of money, and to be honest, it is. Most of you are aware that cheer is not a cheap sport, though. In saying that, fundraisers will be available in order to try and cut into the costs. Hopefully, sponsors will be available, too. Also, personal sponsors can be sought by you (donations from family, friends, doctors, dentists, etc.).

Fundraisers such as car-washes, restaurant offers, etc., will be placed into a team account. Candle sales, lollipop sales, etc., will be placed into an individual account for the respective cheerleader.

It will be up to the cheerleader and/or parents to lower these prices with fundraisers. If everyone does their best to raise money, then the individual costs may be significantly cut down.

High school cheer (if you joined before Sparx) and academic school/college activities come before Sparx. I understand cheering at games and being involved with recitals/plays/conferences/etc. is part of your school/college commitment and that will be honored. On the other hand, missing practice is not an option for anything else. Homework, family dinners, work (schedule around practice), concerts, birthdays, and things of that nature are not acceptable reasons to miss practice. As far as homework, joining Sparx means you have already thought of a way to budget your time, so homework/grades can be taken care of.

There is a contract that needs to be read, understood, and signed by the participants and parents/guardians. The contract has more important information that is not shown here.


Check out the "My Site News" tab for, well... The latest news! :)

Contact Kari Van Oort for more information. You can email by clicking her name on the left side of the page or by calling Old Pueblo Gymnastics at (520)870-7556 to get her cell number.