Westlake Braves Cheerleading is open to youths ages 6-14. Registration begins on Saturday, March 1, 2008. Practices (which are twice a week) start in August. Games are played every Saturday starting early September and could go as long as the first Saturday in December (The Super Bowl). Games are played in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.

The Westlake Braves Cheer Divisions are as follows:

Mighty Might: K & 1st grade

Bantam: Grades 2 & 3

J1: Grades 4 & 5

J2: Grades 6 & 7

Seniors: Grade 8

The information can be downloaded from the Handouts section.

Squads The Cheerleaders are assigned according to age and experience into squads. If your daughter wants to cheer with a specific friend, please m ake sure to note it on your registration form. Requests are taken but cannot be guaranteed.

Practice Practice sessions for the regular season start in August. Our Cheerleaders will practice two times a week. Practices require a substantial amount of physical work. Practices consist of stretching, running, learning new cheers, dances and stunts. In addition to practice there will be clinic(s) for the participants to learn cheers, dances and stunting. These clinics are at an additional cost.

Uniform All cheerleaders and mascots are required to purchase the current uniform, shoes and poms. The uniform fitting usually takes place early June. Participants should arrive at the fitting on time and in a bathing suit or leotard, as time is not allowed for changing in a bathroom or fitting area. At the time of the fitting all Cheerleaders are required to have registered with the Westlake Braves.

Financial policy Payment in full is required at registration. A full refund less $25.00 per cheerleader is available until June 1st. After June 1st participants dropping out of Braves cheerleading will be given their ordered items when they are received by the Braves Cheer Director. Uniforms ordered after the original order will be subject to additional shipping charges and may not be available for opening day. Returned checks will be subject to all bank fee charges and payments will only be accepted in cash or money order.

Physicals GCYFL rules require that all Cheer participants have a m edical physical (signed by a Doctor) and the physical form needs to be on file before/at the first practice. Cheer participants that do not have their physical form turned in by the first practice will not be allowed to participate until the signed physical formed is received.

Schedules Season game schedules and scores are posted on the Gold Coast Youth Football League website at gcyfl.com. The Westlake Braves website will post the schedule for each division and game time for the upcoming Saturday games.

Volunteers Our Director, Coaches and Squad Parents are all volunteers. W e also ask that each cheer participants parents get involved. You may volunteer as a squad parent, work at our snack shack at our home games or assist the assigned squad parent for your child’s squad. There is always something that parents can do to help during our season. Your time and talents are always welcomed. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Cheer Director.

Registration Registration can be done in person or via the internet. Please check our home page for the dates and times of our next registration. After registration, you will also need to have a physical form filled out by a doctor. A rules of conduct will also need to be signed by both parent & Cheerleader. Both forms need to be turned in to the Cheer Director before or at the first practice. If forms are not submitted at the first practice, the participate will not be able to participate until all forms are turned in.

If you have any further questions please contact our Cheer Director: Sonya Stevenson - E-Mail: Stevfam5@aol.com or (805) 558-6891

Competition Squads Competition squads are formed based on the availability of coaches and the interest of the girls. The competition team will be composed of Braves Cheerleaders. The Cheerleaders will need to be 12 years of age and older and be selected from a try-out.

Requirements GCYFL Physical forms are required to be on file with the Braves Cheer organization in order to participate. Cheerleaders who miss more than 3 (three)-practice sessions/games in the cheer season will not be allowed to participate in the try-out for the competition squad.

Practice Practice locations, frequency, times and dates will be determined by the Cheer Director and coaches. Cheerleaders and their parents who sign up for com petition are m aking a serious commitment to every other parent, coach and cheerleader on the squad to be at each and every practice on time and with an attitude of willingness to participate in anyway required by the coaching staff. There are no guaranteed positions. Coaches will place cheerleaders in positions based on what is best for the TEAM not the individual.

Competition Costs Competition is an extra expense. Cheerleaders who choose to participate in the competition squad may be required to purchase extra uniform pieces, poms, hair bows etc. In addition to the registration fees for Regional and Nationals, there are accommodation, transportation, food and souvenirs costs.