'CRUSADERS' Cheerleaders Constitution 2009/10
The Cheerleading squad shall be known as the Crusaders Cheerleaders, and shall be affiliated to the British Cheerleading Association, but free to attend all Competitions.
1) PURPOSE
1.1 To promote the sport of Cheerleading at all levels, providing opportunities for recreation and competition.
1.2 To develop good sportsmanship by example
1.3 To develop good links with the community, offering support at fundraising fairs etc.
2) ELIGIBILITY
2.1 A candidate must be neatly presented, physically fit, and if less than 18 years old provide written parental permission.
2.2 A candidate may be male or female, aged between 5 and 25 years.
2.3 Acceptance of a candidate shall be on the basis of ability and enthusiasm, the coach's agreement, acceptance of the rules, and without prejudice of race creed or colour.
2.4 All relevant forms must be completed before a Try-Out can take place.
3) MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Membership of the club is open to any young person who meets the eligibility criteria above, who attends regularly, participating fully in club activities and who pays the weekly subscription.
3.2 The membership will be divided into appropriate groups based initially on age, as specified by the British Cheerleading Association competition rules. Some Cheerleaders, showing exceptional skills will be asked to join the next age group in addition to their own.
3.3 Members who do not yet have the skills to participate in competitive cheerleading will attend the 'Cheer for fun' classes until they attain the required standard.
3.4 Annual Membership costs £20 to cover Insurance Costs. This must be paid by the 1st October 2008.
4) ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
4.1 All Cheerleaders should attend all practices. If unable to attend for any reason, the Cheerleader should contact the coach as soon as possible to explain their absence.
4.2 Competitions: The head coach will decide, of the various competitions available, the ones that she feels most appropriate to the squad. On some occasions the whole squad will be involved while others may include smaller teams. Once a Cheerleader has agreed to take part in a competition all extra practises must be attended. Any missed practices the month before any competition will result in you being dismissed from that specific event without reimbursement of fees.
4.3 Performances: the squad will at times be asked to perform at fairs or displays for other charitable organisations. Cheerleaders are expected to participate in these, unless holidays or illness prevent them from doing so.
4.4 Social events are not compulsory, but members would all be encouraged to participate as much as possible. These provide good team building opportunities, essential for a stable squad.
4.5 Fund raisers: All cheerleaders are expected to participate in fundraising events as they are for the benefit of the squad. We have a Credit system so that the more events you attend the more credits you receive.
4.6 The head coach shall give reasonable notice of all forthcoming events, through the monthly newsletter, word of mouth and separate letters when appropriate.
5) FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1 Outfits: Individual cheerleaders are responsible for purchasing their own cheer trainers, spankies and training clothes. No Uniform will be ordered before full payment is received. Competitions: Cheerleaders will be responsible for paying their entrance fees to competitions. Wherever possible transport will be provided through club funds.
5.2 Transportation: Cheerleaders will make their own way to and from practises, although in an emergency shared lifts may be arranged at the discretion of the head coach.
5.3 Monthly subs £50 Black Team, £25 Blue or Red Team, £22 Silver Team, £18 Tumble 1, £20 Tumble 11, £20 Dance. Must be paid by the 1st of every month either with cheque or direct debit. Any late fees will incurr a £2.50 admin charge.
5.4 Insurance is mandatory and will be provided through annual registration and arranged by the head coach. There will be no exemptions.
5.5 £20 Annual Membership must be paid before Cheerleaders start Classes
6) TRYOUTS
Tryouts will be for two purposes:
a) To select Staff Members
b) To select cheerleaders for competition squads
6.1 A Tryout will consist of performing designated skills in front of coaches, who will then select the qualifying cheerleaders.
6.2 The tryout for Staff members will also include a written test of their knowledge of rules and safety aspects of the sport.
6.3 Tryouts will be held in a fair and open manner, allowing each candidate to show his/her best abilities and potential.
7) DUTIES AND RESPOSIBILITIES OF COACHES:
The coaches are responsible for:
7.1 Ensuring that squad members are insured, that safety is the top priority at all times, that first aid is available and emergency contact list is kept up to date and present at all times.
7.2 The safety and conduct guidelines of the British Cheerleading Association are followed and upheld.
7.3 Ordering and arranging for delivery of uniform items and the collection of payments for these.
8) PRACTISE SCHEDULE:
8.1 To be set by the coaches. As far as possible this will be at Fromeside Gymnastics Centre for Cheer on Sunday's and Tumble on Friday's. The Greenway Centre for Dance on Wednesday. Thornbury Leisure Centre for Black team on Tuesday's. At times, extra practises will be required and good notice will be given as to day, time and whereabouts of these.
8.2 All Cheerleaders are expected to attend all practises unless valid reasons are given to coaches in advance of the session. Failure to attend practices will result in you loosing your place.
8.3 - All members are required to attend a Tumble class at least once a week.
9) UNIFORM/PRACTISE WEAR
9.1 Cheerleaders are responsible for purchasing own training clothes, cheer trainers and spankies.
9.2 Dance and Cheer outfits are supplied and looked after by the Head Coach. They are paid for using club funds.
9.3 Cheerleaders in uniform or wearing any item of squad identification must always conduct themselves in a manner becoming of a Crusaders Cheerleader.
9.4 Practise wear is T-shirt, with shorts or leggings. Trainers must also be worn. Jewellery is not permitted at all.
9.5 If you choose to leave the team all squad property must be returned.
10) APPEARANCE
10.1 For safety reasons jewellery or watches of any kind must not be worn with uniform or at practice.
10.2 Uniforms must be spotless at all times
10.3 Makeup should conform to that specified by the Head Coach.
10.4 All hairstyles must be neat and secured away from the face, not needing attention.
10.5 Cheerleaders should look their best at all times, especially when in uniform or travelling to a performance.
11) CONDUCT:
11.1 Squad members are required to maintain and uphold the reputation of Crusaders Cheerleaders through their own conduct and squad spirit.
11.2 Members are required to be courteous, polite, friendly and try to be welcoming to everybody.
11.3 All cheers and chants shall be of a positive and sportsmanlike manner.
11.4 Members will make every attempt to ignore or dissuade negative responses at events and not become involved in such action themselves.
12) FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES:
12.1 All cheerleaders will participate in fundraising activities. The money raised will be used to fund various expenses during the year such as extra items of kit or equipment.
12.2 The majority of Cheerleaders and the coaches will approve all fund raising activities.
13) DISCIPLINARY ACTION:
13.1 It shall be squad policy that disciplinary action will only be invoked as a last resort. Every reasonable attempt will be made to avoid situations likely to lead to such an action, squad discussion and coaches encouragement, by example and by finding ways and means to correct negative trends.
13.2 A Cheerleader may be suspended from performances/competitions for the following reasons:
Unexcused absence, excessive absence or lateness, failure to cooperate with coaches or failure to abide by squad rules and regulations.
13.3 A cheerleader may be dismissed from the squad for the following reasons:
Excessive, disruptive influence on the squad, conduct likely to bring the squad or team reputation into disrepute.
Crusaders Cheerleaders July 09
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