DAA Cheerleading Rules

Amended 1/10/2003 Delhi Cheerleading is a member of the Southern Ohio Youth Football Association, Inc. (SOYFA) and must abide by their rules, verbal or written. SOYFA rules and contracts are handed out in August this along with the D.A.A. cheerleading must be signed by participant and parents agreeing to abide by all rules. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS : 1. All cheerleaders are required to attend entire practices and games as per your coaches schedule requirements. Practices nights and times are the coordinators decision. Only the coach or the coordinator has the authority to excuse a cheerleader from practice or games. Excuses will be granted only in the event of illness or unforeseen emergency (conflicting practices and or games for other sport is an unacceptable excuse.) Please make all routine doctor or dental appointments around this schedule. If a cheerleader is unable to attend a practice or game due to reasonable cause (i.e. illness, injury, and travel out of town) they must notify coach before that practice or game so squad will be able to practice routines with out said cheerleader. We will cheer when football players play , even if it rains or snows, unless otherwise stated by the coordinator. Cancellation for practices are at the coordinators discretion. 2. Cheerleader will arrive at practices , games and all other D.A.A. functions on time and be ready to begin as scheduled. Since schedule times are subject to change, verbal announcements may be made at the end of practice. 3. All cheerleaders are responsible for securing transportation to and from practices and games (home and away). and any other functions. We do travel to other fields in the Cincinnati area . Please do not ask a coach for transportation. 4. PRACTICE ATTIRE - LOSE FITTING SHORTS ( N0 JEAN SHORTS !!!!!! ). T-SHIRT , HAIR PULLED UP OUT OF FACE, GYM SHOE , (SPIRIT WEAR IS GREAT ) GIRLS WHO SHOW UP TO PRACTICE IN INCORRECT CLOTHES WILL BE WARNED THEN ASKED TO SIT OUT. UNIFORMS 1. Each child is required to buy cheer shoes, bodysuit , briefs, wind suit , raincoat, ( poncho style ) bow, from D.A.A. Gloves, solid colors of red , blue or white may be purchased from anywhere. The cost of the items are not reimbursed or refunded if child drops out. Also a cheer bag must be purchased. We will offer one with name embroidered on it. 2. D.A.A. uniform consists of shell, skirt, and pom-poms. These items are the property of Delhi Cheerleading and must be returned to coach within five day of departure from the team (whether from dropping out or end of the season). 3. There will be a $25.00 deposit for skirt and shell. This will be given back when uniform is turned back in. As long as there is no damage and uniform has been freshly cleaned. 4. Each cheerleader is responsible for the care of their uniform. It must be clean at the beginning of each game, coaches will check before each game. 5. Anytime we participate in a D.A.A. function the cheerleaders are to wear the uniform and accessories selected by the coaches and D.A.A. 6. Your child must wear street clothes and store the uniform appropriately if it necessary to arrive earlier than or stay later than your child's game time. 7. Under no circumstances is any piece of uniform to be worn outside of a D.A.A. function including school spirit days or as a Halloween costume. 8. Pom-Pom care - keep in a cool dry place away from windows and prolonged exposure to the direct rays of the sun. Definitely not in a hot closed car they will melt. Don't store in a closed plastic bag. ********* UNIFORM WASHING INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE FOLLOWED************* DUE TO THE DYE USED IN THE UNIFORMS IT MUST FIRST BE DRY CLEANED THEN FOLLOW WASH INSTRUCTIONS. (OR YOU MAY DRY CLEAN ALWAYS JUST MAKE SURE YOU POINT OUT SPOTS.) WASH UNIFORMS SEPARATE FROM OTHER CLOTHES IN LUKE WARM WATER ON DELICATE CYCLE WITH MILD DETERGENT. DRIP DRY ONLY. EXCESSIVE HEAT OR OVER DRYING WILL CAUSE BRAID TO SHRINK. GARMENTS LEFT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME OR THE USE OF BLEACH AND HARSH DETERGENT WILL RESULT IN FADING. Do not use scrub brushes of any sort on uniform items as it will cause snags and unraveling of the material. If your machine causes snags or the material to ball, place uniform in a laundry bag or pillowcase before washing to prevent damage. If it becomes necessary to use a spot remover , presoak, you must first test on an inconspicuous area, such as a hem or seam. Before applying it to the entire item, be sure it does not interfere or change the original color or condition of the material. When hanging uniform do not hang by direct heat source. Do not twist or wring out the uniform. Hang upright from the shoulders and the skirt from the waistband. DON'T MARK UNIFORM WITH CHILDS NAME OR REMOVE TAGS OR EXISTING MARKS. DO NOT ALTER UNIFORMS PARENT OR GUARDIAN RESPONSIBLE REGARDING DAMAGE 1. Any deviances from the instructions outlined above will cause damage to the uniform. Assessing that the damage has occurred from neglect, improper care etc. and is not the result of normal usage during a D.A.A. game or function will not be difficult. The coaches on the field and the sidelines see damage as it occurs and most times children will volunteer such information when it occurs. 2. Any damage to a uniform item that is determined to be the result from something other than normal usage will result in replacement of that item at the parents or guardians expense. The cost will be determined by the manufacturer's quote and be passed on to the parent or guardian whose name appears on the rules. This includes pom-poms. 3. Any claim of damage dispute or the failure to pay for the replacement of the uniform will be resolved and any further action will be determined by D.A.A. APPEARANCE 1. Uniforms and shoes must be kept spotlessly clean at all time. Uniforms must be neatly pressed and not in need of mending. 2. Jewelry will be limited to: button earrings (red , blue , pearl , gold or silver ), no dangle or hoops - POST ONLY no rings, watches, necklaces.ect. 3. No make- up Any child wearing make - up while wearing the cheerleading uniform will be asked to remove it . Refusal will result in cheerleader being benched. 4. Hair must be pulled back out of face and secured with cheer bow. CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITY 1. A cheerleader shall cooperate with squad members , coaches, cheerleading coordinator and team mom or dad. 2. A cheerleader may not eat or drink (other than water ) or chew gum while in uniform. 3. A cheerleader shall not sit in the stands or leave the squad until end of game. And coach dismisses them. Girls must stay with their coaches during half - time and water breaks. (Make sure your child has their water bottle with them.) 4. A cheerleader should promote good sportsmanship and team spirit at all times. 5. School work is very important, however, it is not an excuse to miss a practice or games. 6. If any parent is not satisfied with how their child is being treated , please discuss this with child’s coach. If this is not feasible please contact the cheerleading coordinator. All coaches will need parent support and we ask the parents to respect their decisions. If you don't approve of our methods of teaching your child the cheers or the way they are being done, PLEASE discus this with your child's coach after practice or game. We ask parents not to disrupt squads during practice. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS 1. All parent and cheerleaders are expected to follow all rules as listed. The parents will be required to sign a code of ethics before the child is allowed to participate. 2. Failure to follow any of the rules as listed above will result in the following: * First infraction - written issued to parent * Second infraction - first demerit - discussion with child and parent after game or practice. * Third infraction - second demerit - will be denied participation in practice or game, but must attend. Amount of time is the coaches and coordinator's discretion. * Fourth infraction - third demerit - issued to be taken to the Manager's Committee for review with the request that the child be dismissed. No refunds are given for dismissals. 3. All infraction will be written and given in confidence. All records are kept on file with the coach and the cheerleading coordinator and may be viewed at anytime. As we do have a waiting list for cheerleading , it is not fair for children to be on a team if they do not attend practices and games on time and in their entirety including away games. 4. The coach and coordinator will make a request for immediate dismissals as due to: * Unbecoming conduct ( use of drugs , alcohol , smoking, stealing, etc.) * Profanity and any other form of un-sportsman like conduct * Taunting or harassment of organization (including D.A.A.) cheerleader or football player. A special meeting will be called with Manager's Committee along with the coaches involved and the coordinator. The cheerleader and his or her parent(s) will be required to attend this meeting. MISCELLANEOUS 1. We enter an exhibition and competitions usually held in September, October or November (dates to be announced. Permission slip will be provided and must be signed by first competition practice or child will not be allowed to compete. 2. We also perform at the Skirt Game in August. Also in January if we find an indoor place to practice. We ask that once your child has committed to these two activities that you don't let them drop out . We only have a few days to practice and it is difficult on the children to keep changing routines. 3. We also march in the Delhi Christmas parade held the first Saturday in December.