Q) How much time is involved in the cheer program?
A) It is a big time commitment on the part of the girls and the parents. The season begins around the first week in August and there are practices 2-3 nights per week, every week for 2 hours each. Once games begin in September there will be 2 practices and a game every Saturday. Plan on a 4 hour time commitment on Saturdays for games.

 

Q) Where are the games?
A) Practice sites will be located in and around Apex as space permits. Home games are played at Apex High School and away games could be as close as Cary or as far away as South Johnson County, Sanford, N. Durham, and Wake Forest etc. Parents are responsible for all transportation for their children to and from practices and games.

 

Q) Do we buy a uniform?
A) Apex Sports Authority provides an awesome cheer top and skirt as well as the pom-poms to be used for the season. Parents must sign a lease for the use of the equipment and all equipment must be returned promptly at the end of the season. Parents are responsible to purchase the bloomers to wear under the uniform and athletic shoes suitable for cheerleading.

 

Q) Will the uniform be brand new?
A) Possibly. Some of the uniforms are two years old, others are brand new. New uniforms are purchased as needed.

 

Q) My daughter has a lot of activities. Is it a problem if she misses some practices and some games?
A) Yes, but it is strongly discouraged. Cheerleading is not just for glamour anymore. It is a difficult sport and a team effort, as the girls will be doing routines, lifts and stunts. When people do not show up for practices, often the entire work out has to be revamped if the stunts or routines cannot be done without the missing people. Because there are only 2 practices a week during the season, if a girl misses a practice she may not know how to perform the routine or stunt properly. When this happens, the coaches are not allowed to let the girl perform that routine at the game. This is a safety issue and we will not compromise the safety of any of our participants. As you might imagine, when girls are told they must be left out of a routine, no one is very happy. All participants need to make every effort to be available for the entire season.

 

Q) Can the girls paint their faces with logos and wear sparkle body lotions and makeup?
A) The cheerleaders are allowed to wear suitable makeup if the parents allow it, but face painting and glitter are not allowed. This is a Pop Warner National and Federation rule and Scottsdale has no say in the matter.

 

Q) Do the girls need to register at the same time as the boys?
A) Yes.

 

Q) My daughter wants to be on the same team with all her friends. Is that possible?

A) When you register all cheerleaders must sign an additional form that details some aspects of the program. We are able to take a REQUEST ONLY to be with specific girls and their names need to be listed in this section of the form. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE ANY REQUESTS. We will do our best to put friends together, but ages of division’s overlap slightly and in order to have the numbers necessary for each squad, we may not be able to accommodate everyone.

 

Q) If my daughter does not get placed with her friends and no longer wants to participate can we quit and get our money back?
A) No.

 

Q) Can my daughter cheer for my sons’ team?
A) Yes, but ONLY if the age groups of the division match.

 

Q) Can both my daughters be on the same team?
A) Yes, but ONLY if the age groups of the division match.

 

Q) Why can’t my 8 year old and my 12 year old daughters be on the same team?
A) Each division has an age limit for participants. The girls are grouped by division like the boys. We try to further break it down for the girls as follows: Flag Divisions - 5, 6 and 7 year olds Mighty Mite Division - 8 and 9 year olds Jr. Pee Wee Division - 10 and 11 year olds Pee Wee Division - 11 and 12 year olds Jr. Midget Division - 12 and 13 year olds Midget Division - 12, 13 and 14 year olds. This is done for reasons. The girls have a tremendous difference in ability and maturity in the age groups. If the ages differ too much on a squad, it becomes difficult to manage the team. The younger girls do not have the attention span or physical capabilities to keep up with the older girls and this causes discipline problems for the coach and unhappiness and incompatibility among the girls. Please do not ask us to change the rules for you. In order for everyone to have the best possible experience, the above age groupings have proven to be the best solution.

 

Q) Why do the cheerleaders have to be at games 45 minutes early?
A) All players and cheerleaders must check in before game time. This is done for the players to check their weights and insure that only the kids registered may play. This insures that teams do not try substitutions giving unfair advantages to the team. All players present must be noted at check in to insure the minimum play rule for the game is accurate. Pop Warner National makes no distinction on this rule between the girls and boys. Girls will be checked for fingernail polish and length and jewelry, which are not allowed for safety reasons. Away games often have 3 fields in use at one time like we do. Check ins begins 45 minutes before game time so that all the participants in each game have time to be checked in. We recommend that you try to be 1 hour early in the event the games ahead of you are running ahead of schedule. Your team may be called first. If they are and you are not there, your child will not be allowed to participate in the first half. Your child will have to be checked in at half time by the Site Coordinator for that Association. Most associations are VERY strict on this rule. Don’t take a chance……be there on time. In addition, the girls need time to warm up and stretch out before the game to avoid pulled muscles and injury.

 

Q) Who will be my daughters’ coach?
A) YOU!! Just kidding, unless you would like to fill out one of our coaching applications. We are a program run entirely by volunteers and are always looking for knowledgeable, happy volunteers to help us coach. If you are interested in coaching and have dance, gymnastics or cheer experience or are willing to learn, please call and give us your name and phone number so we can contact you now.