1. Age Requirements - All cheerleaders must cheer for the grade level she will be entering in the fall. In the event a cheerleader signs up for the incorrect grade level, DAA will take action to place the child in the correct squad and disciplinary action may be taken. This is a rule of the Gwinnett Football League and DAA will enforce all such rules.
2. Physical Fitness - All cheerleaders should be in good physical condition, in order to complete the required jumps and movements. If at any time a squad representative has serious questions regarding a child’s physical condition, the association may require the parent to secure a doctor’s consent before the child is allowed to continue in the program.
3. Parent Support - The success of cheerleading as well as any other program, depends on the active support and participation of each parent/guardian. We encourage you to attend camp, practices, games, special functions and to support the cheerleading board, coaches, team mom’s, high school cheerleaders and DAA Executive Board in a positive way. Please remember our children are influenced by our attitudes and comments.
Please be positive and help the situation, rather than cause more problems! Any problems or concerns you may have should be brought to the attention of the coach in a mature and positive manner. Please do not raise your voice or use foul language when speaking to volunteer of our program. Please make certain that your concerns are valid and not of a petty nature. Should you chose not to attend practices or games, it is your responsibility to find out upcoming practices, games, events, etc. If you must leave practice or a game, you must provide us with an emergency contact. You will be asked to sign your child in at each practice. This will let us know where you will be and any special pick up instructions. Please be courteous to your squad leader, by being prompt at the end of practice if you must leave.
4. Insurance - Included in your registration fee is coverage for a supplemental injury policy. This policy is provided by GFL and is in effect during practices, games and cheerleading functions during the regular season. This policy is an excess policy to your own primary health insurance.
5. Practice and Game Attendance - Attendance of practices is mandatory for each cheerleader. Practice time is when new cheers, chants, dance routines, hand motions, jumps, stunts and friendships are formed. Information is also passed out during practice time. If you must miss practice, for a valid reason, it is up to parent and child to find out what was missed. You also must contact a squad representative and let them know you will not be in attendance. If you must miss a game, for a valid reason, you must let a squad representative know well in advance of game day. Cheers and half time routines must be adjusted to make up for a missing cheerleaders. Thank you for your cooperation in this area.
6. Dress code - Appropriate attire is required from both cheerleaders and squad representatives. Practice attire (this includes pom poms) should be suitable for the weather and also practicing activities. Athletic shoes should be worn to avoid injury. NO JEWELRY OF ANY TYPE MAY BE WORN DURING PRACTICE OR GAMES. This includes: earrings, bracelets, necklaces, anklets, watches, body piercing or rings. *PLEASE DO NOT HAVE YOUR CHILD’S EARS PIERCED WITHIN 8 WEEKS OF CAMP. If you child wears a medical id. it must be taped securely to the body. Game attire includes: skirt, shell, cheerleading socks, cheerleading shoes, bloomers, hair ribbon, pom poms or windsuit(if squad representative so advises). Please do not wear cheerleading shoes anywhere except games. You may wear you cheerleading uniform to school on spirit day, but please do not wear you cheerleading shoes. Again, no jewelry of any type may be worn during the game. If a child arrives at practice or game wearing jewelry, she will be asked to leave the cheer line to remove the jewelry and leave it with a parent. Squad representatives are not responsible for jewelry.
7. Food, drinks and gum - No food, drinks(other than water or Gatorade) and/or gum chewing is allowed in the cheer lines at practice or games. Please make sure your child has her drink prior to the start of the practice or game. There will be no horsing around with water bottles at any time. The squad representative will provide adequate water breaks.
8. Restroom breaks - Please make sure your child visits the restroom prior to practice and games. There is no schedule restroom breaks at either function. This takes away from the limited time we have with the girls.
9. Games - Game schedules are provided by GFL, we do not create the game schedules on an association level. The schedules will be provided to each squad as soon as they are received from GFL. It may very well be the 1st or 2nd week of the football season before the schedules are received. We will keep you advised where and when you will play that week. These schedules are also available on Gwinnettfootballleague.com. Please be sure your child arrives 30 minutes in advance of game time. We do play at different parks around the county, so please allow travel time. Please also be aware of the fact that games due run behind. Please remain with your child for the entire length of the game. If an emergency arises, please let a squad representative know that you must leave, provide a means of contact and return for your child by games end. Please considerate of our volunteers and their time. Football games do continue during rain, sleet and cold weather. If the football team is playing, the cheerleaders will be cheering! Due to this, please keep your rain jacket handy. GFL will advise if the games have been canceled. If you have not heard from a squad representative, assume the game is on. If your child is cold in nature, feel free to allow her to wear a turtleneck and tights. Cheerleaders are expected to cheer the entire game. Cheerleaders should keep their water bottles with them and the squad representative will allow sufficient water breaks. No food or gum is allowed in the cheer line. Parents are not allowed in the cheer line and girls are not allowed to leave the cheer line(unless it is an emergency) so make sure your child has what she needs prior to the start of the game. Games start with a spirit line on the field with a banner for the football team to run through. This is always a fun time for the squad, so please make sure your daughter is early for the game.
The squad will be allowed a short break prior to the beginning of the third quarter, but will not be allowed to leave the cheer area(going to the concession stand or restroom). We are expected to begin cheering with the start of the third quarter.
There is an admission charge to the games, the adult price is $2.50, student $.50 and senior citizens are free. This charge goes to pay for the officials, police and paramedics at each park. The admission price does go up at play off games. If you have more than one game, remember to have your hand stamped prior to leaving the park. You will be admitted to the next game free of charge.
10. Sportsmanship - Cheerleaders and parents are expected to exercise good sportsmanship at all times. We will be courteous to all squad representatives(also opposing team), opposing football team and cheerleaders, football coaches, officials, parents, football and cheerleading board members. Unsportsman-like conduct will not be tolerated by DAA from anyone from our association. Continued problems may result in expulsion from the program and/or association.
11. Dome Tickets and Community Pep Rally - These events are sponsored or benefit Dacula High School. Information we receive comes directly from them and is subject to frequent changes. We will keep you posted on these changes as soon as we receive them.
12. Dacula.com and GwinnettFootballLeague.com - Please visit these locations for important DAA information such as Executive Officers, board members and local information. Visit the GFL web page for game schedules, standings and park locations.
Thank you for your interest and support of the Dacula Athletic Associations Cheerleading program. Let’s work together to make this the best year ever!
