The Morgan Hill Raiders Cheerleading program teaches the fundamentals of cheerleading to girls ages 7-15.  Some mascot positions are available to cheerleaders age 5 -6. Cheerleading is a growing sport across the nation.  Our cheerleading program provides youth with an opportunity to learn the value of teamwork, good sportsmanship and community pride through hard work and dedication.  We promote strong minds and strong bodies.  Cheerleading is physically demanding and time consuming for participants and their families.  Participants learn the fundamental of cheerleading including game cheers and competition dance/cheer routines.  With the support of parents we use a strength-based approach to coaching.  Our coaches have passed background checks and demonstrated skills in the art of teaching cheerleading. 

Training opportunities are available for coaches and student demonstrators.  Student demonstrators are outstanding high school students who return to our program to demonstrate dance and cheer moves to a squad. They are under the supervision of the Head Coach.  Student demonstrators must have a good academic standing to participate in our programs.  Our goal is to teach student demonstrator leadership skills, which they can apply to their daily lives and future endeavors.

POP WARNER CHEERLEADING WITH THE MORGAN HILL RAIDERS

Pop Warner programs are divided into three performance levels and two teamsizes. Team sizes are either small squad (up to 19 players) or large squad (20-35 players). The teams are divided into three performance divisions. They are Novice (beginning), Intermediate (mastered basic cheer skills) and Advanced (highly skilled). For more details on the cheer categories please see the National Pop Warner website at www.popwarner.com.

The Girls Athletic Director and the Board of Directors determine the number and size of the squads at the beginning of the new season. The decision is based on the number of available, qualified adults, who volunteer to coach. The performance level is determined by the Girls Athletic Director, Head Coach and the Stunt Coordinator. 

REGISTRATION

There are no tryouts. The Cheer Athletic Director assigns participants to teams on a first-come, first-served basis, based on age, date of registration, payment and the experience needed to make a team complete (i.e., tumblers and flyers), and prior head coach recommendations. Registration numbers are assigned to all participants. Players with outstanding fees or NSF checks will be dropped to the bottom of the waiting list and their spot on the squad will be lost.

Participants may request a particular team, but the Morgan Hill Raiders will not guarantee that the request will be granted. If your cheerleader is returning and the Head Coach does not think your cheerleader is ready to move up, you will be informed. Participants can request a specific team, but you must notify us if this is the only team acceptable. If the squad is full, the participant will be placed on a waiting list. Participants requesting specific teams will forfeit their opportunity to be placed on another squad based on their registration number.

Team placements will be announced in June. Once team placements are announced, there is still potential for some additional changes related to late sign-ups or drops. After August 1st, team placement will not change unless there is an eligibility issue. Cheerleaders must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to participate or show a willingness to participate in grade improvement programs at their school.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT

The season begins the first Monday of August. The regular season runs through the end of October. The season will continue through the end of November if the squad advances to Regional Championships or through mid-December if the team qualifies for Nationals Championships.

During the month of August, practices are usually held 4 days a week. Each practice is 2.5 hours. During the months of September and October, the practice schedule is reduced to 3 days per week, 2 hours each practice. In addition, cheerleaders cheer at the football games, which are typically held on Sundays, but may occasionally be on Saturdays.

Squads advancing to Regional Championships will continue practice through November. Those squads advancing to Nationals Championships will practice through early December. Regional Championships are held Thanksgiving weekend (Location varies each year). National Championships are held in Orlando, Florida the second week of December.

The specific practice schedule will be provided by the Head Coach.

PRACTICE APPAREL

Players are required to wear appropriate clothing and shoes to practice. Players should wear black shorts or sweatpants (no nylon pants), a tee shirt, cheer shoes and socks. No spaghetti straps and no bare midriffs are permitted. Players will not be allowed to participate in practices without proper practice gear.

HEALTH AND HYGIENE

Good health and hygiene practices are important when participating in youth sports activities. Players should wash their hands and change their clothing after practice, games and competitions. Practice gear and uniforms should be washed according to the manufacturer's instructions after each use. Players must come to practice games and competitions with clean uniforms and practice gear. Players should not come to practice if they are sick or have a fever. They should contact their coach to report an absence. All cuts, scrapes and abrasions should be covered with a bandage before participating in cheerleading or dance. Parents should refer to the MRSA (Menthicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria) information handout "MRSA in Athletes" for information on prevention. This document can be viewed at the MRSA Resources website at:

http://www.mrsaresources.com/Downloads/MRSAinAtletics.pdf

BEHAVIOR

The participant and parent/caregiver will be required to sign a Code of Conduct. This code of conduct is strictly adhered to. Any violation by a parent or participant will be grounds for dismissal from the squad. Good sportsmanship and respect to all coaches, board members, teammates and other organizations is mandatory. Any act of disrespect to a referee, judge, coach, board member, opposing team staff or player is grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.

If a participant or parent disrupts a practice, they will be asked to leave. Parents are allowed at practice at the coach's discretion.

Parents will enter the practice area 5 minutes before the end of practice. Coaches will make all announcements during this time. Players will not be allowed to walk to cars in the parking lots due to safety. Please pick your player up on time. Cheer practice is not a babysitting service so please have respect for your coach and be on time.

ATTENDANCE

Cheerleading is a team sport.  When one cheerleader misses practice it has an impact on the entire squad.  This is particularly true if the cheerleader is on a stunting team. As a result, practices may only be missed due to illness or, if the head coach is notified in advance by a parent, due a compelling personal reason or academic needs.  Two unexcused practices result in a drop from the team.

Please make an effort to schedule your family vacations during June and July.  Participants will have an opportunity to attend skills camps during the month of July. These are optional, but recommended.

COST

Registration fees are $150.00 per cheerleader.  Each cheerleader is required to purchase a uniform package.  Uniform packages include: Shell, skirt, bodyliner, spankie (undergarment), socks, shoes, practice shorts, practice tee shirt, pom poms, hair ribbon and a cheer bag.  The estimated costs of the package is $285-$325 (subject to change without notice).  Some gently used uniforms are available for purchase through the Raider's Cheer Closet.  Additional costs will be incurred throughout the season.  Competition shoes and hair apparel may be required by your squad. 

Each Coach may have additional fees for trophies, Competition gifts, game day and competition day snacks/meals.  You will be required to volunteer 10 hours minimum per child for the Raider's organization.

Unfortunately, financial aid will no longer be available.  A limited number of scholarships will be granted to qualified participants.

Cost for Mitey Mite uniform packages will be advised.

All participants will be required to make deposits for volunteer hours.

NATIONAL TRAVEL FUNDRAISING

Families will have the opportunity during the off season to participate in fundraising to earn money for their child's National travel fund. See the HOME page for more details.

Cheer Off Season Travel fundraising: Weekly - (Wednesday's) Bingo worker @ the San Martin Lion's Club - credit to your child's national travel account. - Contact Gina Knopf - Volunteer Coordinator

COMPETITIONS AND TRAVEL

There are now three competitions during the season. The first is Cheer Jamboree and is held during the month of September at a local venue. Invitational Competition is held locally in early October. This Invitational competition gives the squad the experience of performing in a competitive setting, but does not determine advancement to additional competitions. The third competition is Peninsula Pop Warner Conference Cheer Championships, held locally the third weekend in October. First, second and third place teams at Conference qualify for advancement to the Regional Championships. Regional may require overnight accommodations at the participant's expense.  Top scoring participant teams at Regional Competition advance to National Championships that are held in Orlando, Florida the second week of December. Travel packages are available for National Competition. Sponsorship or fundraising programs will be determined by the Morgan Hill Raiders Board of Directors.

The participant and parent will need to make a commitment to attend Regional and National competition if that squad advances.  Since cheerleading is a team sport, it is vital that all participants attend these events.  If you cannot make this commitment, please discuss this with your head coach.

Thank you for visiting the Morgan Hill Cheer Page.