Cheerleading: Hoover Cheerleading News: Cheerleading Frequently Asked Questions
Sunday, May 14Cheerleading Frequently Asked Questions
CHEERLEADING
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does the season start?
Cheer Clinic is mandatory and is scheduled for July 23rd and 24th (5pm-8pm). Practices will begin in August. The season ends the second week of November with the championship games.
2. In which league does Hoover participate?
Hoover is a member of the SouthEastern Youth Football League. Other participating members are Trussville, Clay, Hueytown, Gardendale, and Irondale, etc. There is also a Rec League, Over The Mountain (OTM) League that will play at Hoover parks mostly weeknights with the possibility of a couple of games on saturdays. See WWW.hooverAtheleticAssociation.com for more information on these leagues.
3. Where and when are the games played?
The schedule is arranged by the league and is released about one week prior to the first game. Games will be held at participating parks. Generally, about half of the games will be at Hoover, and the other half away. SEYFL Games will be played weekly on Saturdays. Most OTM Games will be played weeknights.
4. What times are the games?
The games for the SEYFL begin around 9am for the youngest group (75 lb). The following game is the 85 division, followed by the 95 division...and so on. The entire visitor park travels to the home team site. So if you have 2 or more kids participating in football or cheerleading, you will be able to see each one participate.
5. When will we practice?
Generally, teams practice 1 to 2 times a week, usually 1 hour per practice. The squad coach will determine the day and time of each practice. Please be at all practices, your commitment to the squad is important.
6. Where will we practice?
Practice locations are determined by each squad’s coach.
7. Will my child cheer each game on the field?
Every effort is made to ensure that there is only one squad per football team. But due to the increasing size of the Cheerleading program, it could be necessary divide a squad into two groups and alternate cheering on the field with cheering in the front rows of the bleachers. Your child is guaranteed to cheer the entire game, but could possibly cheer half of the game in the front rows of the bleachers. This can be a good rest for the younger cheerleaders.
8. What equipment does my child need?
Required items include: Uniform shell and skirt, bloomers, sweatshirt, socks, cheer shoes and pom poms. The price of cheer clinic, uniforms, pom poms, trophy and picture package is included in the registration fee which is also mandatory. You will also need to purchase white cheer or tennis shoes.
9. In which division will my child participate?
There are 6 age/weight divisions for the SEYFL League. The age/weight divisions are entering 1st grade/75lb, 2nd grade/85, 3rd grade/95, 4th grade/105, 5th grade/115, 6th grade/125.
10. What is the refund policy if my child quits?
Once you register, the Hoover Athletic Association (HAA) places an order for uniforms and other mandatory items and expenditure for insurance and park fees is made for the cheerleader. No refunds will be issued once the uniform order is placed.
11. I am interested in coaching. How are coaches selected?
On your registration form there is a section for volunteering. If you are interested in coaching, being an assistant coach, team mom or halftime announcer, just fill out that section. The Cheerleading Director chooses the coaches based on previous participation and feedback from parents in previous years. Previous cheerleading experience is helpful, but by no means required.
12. How are squads chosen?
The registration form states the following: I, the undersigned, do hereby acknowledge that I realize there is no guarantee that cheerleaders will remain on the same squad, same school zone, or with the same coach from year to year. Every effort is made to keep elementary school zones together, however alignment with middle schools and high schools may not be possible. Rules for prior year assignments may not apply. Squads will be assigned in a manner decided by the Cheerleading Director and prior to the beginning of season play.
13. How much will it cost to cheer?
Mandatory items must be purchased. The cost of these items will be listed on the registration form.
14. Will the same uniforms be used as last season? Can I sell my used uniform?
No, we are using different uniforms this season.
15. I have two daughters in different grades that want to cheer. Can they cheer on the same squad?
If the girls are within two grades apart, they may cheer for the same squad. The same rule applies to a sibling playing football. If the children are more than two grades apart, the Cheerleading Program Director should be contacted for special consideration.