Fall 2023 Cheerleading Sign-Ups, Register Now!

West Jeff Youth, Inc. Cheerleading is a recreational cheerleading program for
children ages 5 through 12 years old or entering Kindergarten through 6th grade.

West Jeff Youth, Inc. Cheerleading is dedicated to the development of cheer skills in
our student athletes. Previous cheerleading experience is not necessary, however, a
positive attitude and high energy is a must. Cheerleading skills are just one of the
many benefits children learn from the program. Along with learning exciting cheers,
chants, and group/team work, children learn better coordination, flexibility, and
cooperation with others. Open to all students within our district, we invite you to join
us next season!

Sign-Ups for the Fall 2023 Season will begin in early May! Click the login or register
button on the top of the screen. Registration closes on June 1st, 2023 and no late
registrations will be permitted.

Important Dates:
Sign-Ups End: June 18th, 2023
Parents Meeting: July 11th, 2023 at 6 PM at Converse Park
Fall Sports Photos: August 22nd, starting at 5 PM, details coming soon! 
Practices Begin: Mid-July (Days/Times TBD by coaches)
First Games: August 26th
JV and Varsity Cheer Competition: September 24th at West Liberty Salem, Time TBD
(Rain Date is October 1st.)

First time West Jeff Youth Inc. Cheerleaders are required to purchase their own cheer
uniform. Returning cheerleaders may use prior years uniforms if they are still in good
condition, have all pieces and are an appropriate fit. (If you have an old uniform you’d
like to sell or donate please contact: [email protected] or check the B/S/
T post in our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/wjyouthcheer)
Uniforms must be purchased at registration. Uniforms and registrations not paid in
full by the end of sign-ups (June 18th, 2023) will not be ordered and the
cheerleader will be unable to participate in the 2023 season. (Uniforms ordered do
not include shoes, parents are responsible for providing appropriate footwear)

Cheerleaders are expected to be present at every practice and game. We recognize
that some families may have summer vacations or other conflicts and we
understand but ask that you have absences approved by coaches in advance and
that they are not a regular occurrence. Games and practices will be held in the rain,
however may be cancelled due to lighting or thunder. Games run from Labor Day
weekend until around Halloween. Please see West Jefferson Youth Cheerleading
Code of Contact for more information.

Additional information will be provided as it comes available. Please join our
Facebook group at : facebook.com/groups/wjyouthcheer

Questions? Contact 2023 West Jefferson Youth Cheerleading Commissioner, Kaylea
Annen at [email protected]

West Jefferson Youth Cheerleading

CODE OF CONDUCT

West Jefferson Youth Cheerleading is a volunteer organization. Please be respectful
of the coaches' time and effort. All athletes, parents and coaches are responsible for
adhering to the Code of Conduct guidelines. Not doing so may result in removal
from the program.

ATHLETES ARE EXPECTED TO

1. West Jefferson Youth Cheer has zero tolerance for bullying. All athletes should be
attentive and respectful to their coach and other team members at all times.
Appropriate behavior is expected at all times from coaches, cheerleaders, and
parents. Bullying will result in immediate dismissal from the West Jefferson Youth
Cheerleading program.
2. Parents are permitted to attend practices, however, they cannot interfere with
practices, games, or any other West Jefferson Youth Cheer event. Interfering with
halftime routines or formations is not permitted, as these are decided at the coach's
discretion. If your presence becomes a disruption, the coach reserves the right to ask
you not to attend practices.
3. If you have an issue you wish to discuss, do not try to discuss it with your coach
during practices, games, or an event. Open lines of communication are available at
other times with your coach or the West Jefferson Youth Cheer Board. Excessive
calling, texting, and/or emailing is not permitted.
4. Parents are not allowed to stand or sit on the track/sideline with the coaches
unless the coach has explicitly asked for your assistance during the game.
5. Smoking and/or foul language is not permitted at any West Jefferson Youth Cheer
event. Parents, coaches, and cheerleaders represent the West Jefferson Youth
Athletics and we must do so with integrity and respect.
6. Athletes are expected to be present at every practice and game. We recognize
that some families may have summer vacations or other conflicts and we
understand but ask that you have absences approved by coaches in advance and
that they are not a regular occurrence. Games and practices will be held in the rain,
however may be cancelled due to lighting or thunder. Games run from Labor Day
weekend until around Halloween. If unexcused absences or excessive tardiness
become a hardship for the team, the athlete may be asked to sit out of routines,
cheers, or other activities until the coach, in his/her discretion, has determined the
issue is no longer detrimental to the other team members. Please know that like all
other team sports, cheerleading involves other members of a team that are
adversely affected by attendance issues. Please, refer to attendance policy below.
7. Appropriate attire is expected at all practices, games and events. For practices this
includes athletic shorts or pants, tank top, shirt or sweatshirt and gym shoes. Hair
should be pulled back out of the face. No sandals. No unapproved jewelry. For
games and events this includes full uniform in clean and professional manner as well
as athletic shoes. Hair should be pulled back out of the face. No sandals. No
unapproved jewelry or temporary tattoos. Makeup if worn should be natural
8. No gum, candy or food while cheering at any practice or game.
9. Water bottles, clearly labeled with the athlete’s name, should be brought to all
practices and games.
10. No mounts, partner stunts, or pyramids permitted at any time. Each cheerleader
must be bearing his/her own weight on at least one foot on the ground without
support from another cheerleader.
11. No tumbling unless a child is confident in a skill outside of practice and the parent
consents. ALL TUMBLING MUST BE SUPERVISED BY A COACH.
12. Remain mindful that your decisions, whether you are actually wearing anything
displaying the West Jefferson Youth brand or logo at the time or not, affect and can
be a negative reflection of yourself, your parents, fellow teammates, coaches, staff,
and the entire West Jefferson Youth program. Athletes should take pride in wearing
the West Jefferson colors and conduct themselves accordingly.

PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO

1. Encourage their athlete to always treat fellow teammates, coaches, and West
Jefferson Youth volunteers with respect.
2. Ensure that their child understands what we expect of them as an athlete, as
explained in the “Role of Athlete” section above.
3. Defer to the coaches’ discretion regarding team decisions.
4. Not withhold a child from practice, games or competition (if applicable). This
should never be used as a form of punishment. This punishes not only your child but
every other team member and parent.
5. Ensure that their athlete arrives on time to practices, games and events.
Consequences for violation of the above stated rules:
1st Violation - A warning will be issued to both the cheerleader and the parent.
2nd Violation - Your child will not participate at the game subsequent to the incident
3rd Violation - Your child will be dismissed from the West Jefferson Youth Cheer
program.
NOTE: Bullying will result in immediate dismissal from the West Jefferson Youth

COMMUNICATION

Your coach will be your first point of contact. We communicate in multiple formats,
including email, social media (West Jefferson Youth Cheerleading Facebook page)
and team texts. Please check these regularly. Please be mindful and respectful in
messaging the “group” before 8am and after 10pm.

Once you are registered please request to join our facebook group.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Teams will be learning cheers and routines at every practice. It is very important that
all athletes attend all scheduled practices and be there on time or they may
jeopardize their ability to perform as a team. This is a team sport and we cannot
move forward as a team if we do not have everyone present at practices. As the girls
learn the routine, groups and positions frequently change. Please understand the
commitment your child is making to this sport and to their team as a whole.

• Cheerleaders are required to attend and be on time for ALL practices, games
and performances.
• If your cheerleader will be late for practice, we ask that you text, email or call
your coach so that she will be informed of the tardy and will be able to adjust
practice.
• If your cheerleader will not be able to attend practice, we ask that you text,
email or call your coach at least 24 hours before practice begins.
• Parents who will be late to pick up your cheerleader need to call your coach
and alert them to any emergency situation.

Practices may be changed, extended, or added at any time during the year. Parents
must check the website, group communication app, and emails on a daily basis to
stay on top of the practice schedule for updates on days and times.

GENERAL PRACTICE INFORMATION

Practices typically start in mid July and run through the end of the season. Teams
usually practice once or twice a week. Coaches will set your athlete’s schedule and
will communicate the specifics after registration closes.

Please bring a water bottle or sports drink. No pop/soda/energy drinks. If we are
practicing outdoors, please make sure that your child has bug spray and/or
sunscreen. Please make sure that your child has eaten a snack or dinner before
arriving at practice. They will not be allowed to eat during practice. Please make sure
that your child has used the bathroom before arriving at practice as facilities can be
limited and bathroom breaks from multiple children can be very disruptive to
practice. In addition, please have your child’s shoes double knotted to minimize
disruptions and maximize safety.

Parents are welcome to watch outdoor practices but are not allowed to interfere with
a practice or game. Interfering with routines or formations is not permitted, as these
are decided at the coach's discretion. If your presence becomes a disruption, the
coach reserves the right to ask you not to attend practices.

Practice Attire: Comfortable/athletic clothes, socks, athletic shoes, and hair pulled
back. No dangly earrings/jewelry, gum/food, toys, etc. Please try to avoid wearing
this season's cheer shoes to practice.

GENERAL GAME INFORMATION

We cheer at West Jefferson Youth Football games which are played through the
Little Mad River Valley League- Ohio Heritage Conference. It is the expectation that
all youth cheerleaders cheer during regular season, post season and tournaments —
if applicable.

The game schedule will come out as soon as we have the football schedule.
Historically we have received this schedule very late. Please be patient with us, we
will share it as soon as we receive it.

We cheer in all weather, the season starts with high temperatures and usually ends
in cooler weather. Games are called when there is lightning within a certain distance
but both boys and girls are expected to play if it is just raining.

Cheerleaders will be required to arrive prior to game time, (exact arrival time to be
determined by the coach). We use the extra time to stretch, warm up, practice and
review new cheers. Cheerleaders’ game schedules should have an arrival time and
game time.

Upon arrival, they should be ready to begin warm up and stretching with the coach.
Cheerleaders should always arrive at games in their complete uniform (shell, skirt,
white no-show socks, and white cheer shoes) with their hair up in a ponytail with their
cheer bow. Uniforms must be kept clean and presentable. If a cheerleader is not in
an appropriate uniform, she will not be allowed to participate.

During games, cheerleaders are to stay in formation and in ready position at all
times. Games are not a time to socialize with teammates. Cheerleaders must always
be focused on the game and the coach in order to be prepared to lead the fans to
cheer for the players.

PARENT CONCERN PROCESS

1. Go to the coach to express your concern.
2. If the coach did not settle the matter, contact the cheerleading commissioner
for support- [email protected]
3. All parents must exercise a 24 hour cool down period before contacting any
coach or board member or posting on social media.
4. Parents are not permitted to approach coaches or board members during or
immediately after practices, games, or events.