WHO WE ARE 
Morgan Hill Raiders Cheer is a cheer program run by volunteers where cheerleaders participate in Sideline Cheer and Competition Cheer without any skill requirements – meaning, no tryouts to join a team.  Cheers, chants, skills, and choreography are taught throughout the season and through hard work and dedication, we create cheer teams who compete at a national level, bringing home first place trophies at a regional level. 

OUR COMMITMENT
Our commitment to our cheerleaders is to provide them with an environment where they can learn skills, be part of a team, have fun, and fall in love with cheerleading.  We work hard to create national level cheer teams through hard work and dedication – from both the teammates and the coaches.  Our coaches are volunteers who dedicate many hours to the team because they love the children and they love the sport.  We have produced cheerleaders who have gone from cheering as Raiders, on to high school cheer teams, and all-star cheer teams.

CHEER REGISTRATION FEE - $350
Your registration fee includes: field usage, insurance, certification cost, game officials, indoor space, warm ups, etc.  Your fee does not include uniforms and expenses associated with the regional and national competition if your team were to qualify.  Registration fees do not cover operating expenses for the league – this is why we require participation in the annual raffle where each child sells one book of raffle tickets and other several fundraisers throughout the season.

CHEER UNIFORM FEE ~ WE WILL GET NEW UNIFORMS THIS SEASON.  Uniform Price will be between $650 and 800$. Price Varies by package you get and if returning cheerleader or not. 
Your uniform fee is estimated and includes, customized shell, liner, skirt, customized game bow, customized competition bow, pink bow, pink poms, competition shoes, customized warmups, sports bag, and game pompoms. Also includes a 100$ fee for competition gifts and things that are needed to make games and competition successful. We will also have for a separate fee new cheer hoodies this season.

TIME COMMITMENT & EXPECTATIONS
Cheer requires a big commitment of your time and finances. 

Time commitment - Your child will rely on you to get them to practice, games, and competitions in a timely matter.  You are also required to volunteer 10 hours per family or pay a $350 opt-out volunteer fee.

We expect each cheerleader to work hard, show dedication, be respectful, and have fun.  If at any time a cheerleader indicates that they do not want to be a part of a team, whether it be verbally or through refusal to participate, it is Pop Warner regulation that the cheerleader be dropped from the team so as to prevent children from being forced to participate – no refunds will be given. We also have a zero tolerance for bullying, any cheerleader caught bullying a teammate will be dropped from the team – no refunds will be given.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Are contingent upon the coach’s availability but tend to be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, with additional days added if needed especially as competition days approach.  Practices are held at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Complex and then moved inside if needed as December approaches.  Parents are not allowed on the field. We will have practices in December and January as we get ready for Nationals in Vegas. Please be aware that practice times can change but we try our hardest to stay consistent. Please note how important it is to have your cheerleader show up to every practice and every game.

PRACTICE ATTIRE
Athletic tops and bottoms that cover all body parts while girls are stretching, sitting, and tumbling. Shoes need to be cheer shoes or athletic shoes – no Converse, Vans, Airforce 1s, etc. No jeans, skirts, loose tops, etc.  No Jewelry, including rings, necklaces, watches, or any kind of body piercings that are visible.

COME READY TO PRACTICE
Hair is to be worn in a ponytail or braid, no jewelry even if newly pierced, short clean nails, and bring water (only water is allowed on the field) and a sweatshirt or jacket. For the younger teams, they will be given a snack break and will need to bring a snack.

SIDELINE CHEER 
Consists of cheering at 8 local football games, plus playoff games it the team qualifies. Games are played on Saturday or Sunday every weekend starting at the end of August through November.  Home games are played at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Complex, while away games are played throughout the bay area.

COMPETITION CHEER 
Consists of two local Pop Warner competitions – Pop Warner Cheer Invitations, Pop Warner Cheer Conference - which would qualify the teams for a regional competition held in Reno, Nevada.  The two local competition registration fees are covered by Morgan Hill Raiders.  We will also be cheering at the Jamz championships and hopefully make it to Las Vegas for Nationals in January. The registration fees and travel expenses for competitions in Reno and Las Vegas will be out of your pocket – this is why we do so much fundraising.

COACHES 
Are volunteers who have been background checked, Live Scan fingerprinted, CPR certified, and YCADA trained to be able to take the field and coach your child.  Each team has a head coach and up to four assistant coaches.