Ridge Youth Sports – 2024 Cheerleading
SPIRIT TEAM FAQ’s
REGISTRATION
When - April 1, 2024 to May 31, 2024
Who - Grades - Kindergarten and up as of September 2024
Fees - $230.00 per cheerleader
Fees include:
Field usage/rec fees, supplies, practice t-shirt for all cheerleaders, poms, game bow, safety training for adult coaches/EMT’s, insurance, administrative and Cheerfest.
PRE-SEASON PRACTICE:
Week of August 19 – M, T, W, Th Grades Kinder & 1st 6:00pm-7:30pm 2nd & Up 6:00pm-8:00pm
Week of August 26 – M, T, W, Th Grades Kinder & 1st 6:00pm-7:30pm 2nd & Up 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Mountain Park, field 8.
WORKBOND:
RYSI will be collecting a $100.00 Work Bond check for all 2024 sports - every athlete, every team. Checks will be collected first day of practice. We will not be collecting WB online.
Jobs to complete WB obligation will be provided by your coach prior to the start of the season.
Checks are to be forward dated to 12/15/2024 and are due the first day of your team’s practice.
Head coach will authorize completion of all obligation.
If WB obligation is completed, your check can be picked up between 11/16-27/2024.
If check is not picked up by 11/27/2024 or your obligation has not been fulfilled, the value will be considered a donation to RYSI.
Checks will be deposited on 12/15/2024.
AFTER LABOR DAY PRACTICE:
Practice will be one day a week in the evening from 6:00pm-8:00pm. It will either be Monday or Tuesday, pending field availability. As soon as we know, we will advise.
GAME DAY:
Kindergarten thru 4th grade – Games are on Saturdays. Exact times to be announced. No game will be after Noon.
Grades 5th and up – Games are on Saturdays, with home games at RHS. We will be in the NJ Suburban Youth Football League. Tackle teams with play against Chatham, Bridgewater, Cranford, Morristown, Summit and more. You will be expected to cheer at away games. We will advise as soon as we know game schedules.
There will be one or two ‘Friday Night Lights’ game on Friday evenings at Lee Field (Ridge High School) for the FLAG teams.
HOW MANY TEAMS WILL THERE BE?
Team determination will be based on the numbers of registrants in each grade group and the availability of appropriate coaches.
ARE SPIRIT PRACTICES MANDATORY?
Cheer is a team sport, when the team is not all present it becomes a strain on both the individual cheerleader to catch up and the team in pausing in their advancement. In years past it has been a struggle to have team cohesiveness with so many absences.
For grades 2nd-3rd, Stunting instruction/evaluation and routine placement will take place during the first week of practice in August. If a cheerleader misses any practice during the August schedule, the cheerleader may be given an ‘alternate position’ in a stunt group or in the routine and performance during the season will be at the coach’s discretion.
Instruction in cheerleading is progressive and missing practices can result in a cheerleader missing important stunting instruction. Consistent attendance leads to better technique and a reduced risk of injury.
This year we are asking grades Kinder – 3rd that outside of sickness & religious observance you only miss 2 practices during the season.
Attendance is mandatory for grades 4th and up for practices and games. The only excused absences are for religious holiday observance or illness.
Cheerleaders who miss a weekly practice after school begins may forfeit their stunting position for that weeks’ game or upcoming performance. Cheerleaders who miss the pre-game warm up will not be allowed to stunt in the halftime routine.
END OF SEASON:
Kindergarten to 4th grade FLAG will have games up to Saturday Nov 9.
Tackle Playoffs and championship games for grades 4th grade and up continue through and include the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 23rd) and cheerleaders will be expected to participate. Game Times and Locations will vary depending on the grade.
We are requesting that no year-end celebration is scheduled until after your games have been played.
UNIFORMS:
Uniform Day is Saturday June 1, 2024, from 9:00am – 1:00pm, Cedar Hill Gym.
We will have a RESALE of previously owned / gently used 2023 uniforms – only.
Exact information on drop-off and sell details will be provided to all registered in 2023 and 2024.
Arrival time will be via grade grouping to ease the rush of attendance and resale.
Estimated New uniform costs are as follows:
Cost of the uniform (Top & Skirt) $155.00
Midriff/Bodyliner $ 25.00
Boyshorts $ 14.00
Shoes $ 50.00
An email detailing Uniform Day will be sent shortly after registration.
COACHING:
We are always in need of a motivator with a positive attitude and enthusiasm for our athletes and the sport of cheer – aka – a Coach!
If you have experience, great! If not, we will give you guidance in coaching your team to a fun and exciting season!
If you are interested, please send us an email at [email protected].
Interest acknowledgement can also be found within the online registration form.
CHEERFEST:
Sunday October 20, 2024 will be our annual Cheerfest. Attendance is mandatory for ALL TEAMS. Please schedule 8:00am to 1:00pm for that day.
Would you be interested in being a part of the 2024 RYSI Parent Cheer Team? Specific details will be forwarded by June 1.
The team will perform a 2:00 min routine at Cheerfest (Oct 20, 2024 – Noon). There will be cheering, dancing and stunting along with providing a surprise to your child when they see you on the mat! We would like to keep the members of the team secret – from the girls - until Cheerfest.
We will practice/rehearse at least 3 nights 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Cedar Hill gym. We won’t know exact days until the township gives us facility availability. After Labor Day the girls will have spirit practice on either Mon or Tue evening, parent practice will be the other night.
Moms & Dads (Aunts & Uncles) all are welcomed! ... yes ... dads have participated in the past! We had no team in 2023 but the 2022 team knocked it out of the park and created such a great experience for all! Any questions, please email us at spiritridgeyouthcheer@gmail.com
REFUNDS:
Registration fee is REFUNDABLE based on following schedule:
August 18, 2024 and prior 100% less $25.00
Between August 19, 2024 – August 23, 2024 50% less $25.00
August 24, 2024 and after 0%
Uniform Fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.
IMPORTANT DATES:
April 1, 2024 - Registration opens
April 23, 2024 – Parent Meeting Competition Interest
7:00PM Basking Ridge Community Center
Saturday June 1, 2024 – Uniform Day
Details will be sent to registered participants.
Monday August 19, 2024 –Pre-Season practices
Weeks of August 19 and August 29 - Practices
M, T, W, Th 6:00-7:30 Kindergarten and 1st grade.
M, T, W, Th 6:00 – 8:00 2nd grade and up.
Sunday October 20, 2024 – Cheerfest – RHS Gym
8:00AM – 1:00PM
Please send us an email at [email protected] if you have any questions.