2008 CHEERLEADING

It's not the attitude . . . we're just that good!

***CHEER COACHES NEEDED***

If you have an interest in coaching or know of someone who would make a great cheerleading coach please contact Nicki Mercurio, Cheer Athletic Director. She can give you the details and requirements. We have a great turnout of young cheerleaders for 2008 and they need an exciting leader to show them the way! Contact Nicki at nicki357@comcast.net.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the season start?
Are tryouts required?
How much does it cost to participate?
What does the registration fee cover?
What is the time commitment?
Can practices be missed?
What if we have a family vacation planned during August? Can my cheerleader miss practices?
Do cheerleaders have to cheer for the football games?
How many competitions are there, and is there any travel involved?
Is there a volunteer requirement?
What are the ages of the teams?
What is the size of each team?
Who rosters the team and what is the criteria?
Can I request to have my daughter placed on a certain team?
When will the team placements be announced?
What are the required documents needed to join Pacifica Tigersharks?
Why is the report card required, and what if my cheerleader’s grades are not poor?
When are the uniform fittings being held?

When does the season start?

The season begins August 1st. The regular season runs through the end of October. The season will continue through the end of November if the team qualifies for regionals or through mid-December if the team qualifies for Nationals.

Are tryouts required?

No, tryouts are prohibited by Pop Warner. All registered participants will be placed on a first-come first-served basis on a team until all teams have reached capacity.

How much does it cost to participate?

Cheerleading can be very costly.
The registration fee is a NON-REFUNDABLE $185, plus a $50 parent participation fee (per child), which is refundable upon 10 hours (per child) of volunteer service. Completed volunteer forms must be postmarked on or before December 1, 2008 and sent to the address listed on the form. All forms submitted after December 1, 2008 or not submitted at all will be forfeited to the Pacifica Tigersharks. In addition, each cheerleader will be required to purchase cheer shoes. The cost will range from $30-$70. Cheerleaders will also have hotel costs at competitions.
Cheerleaders on teams qualifying for nationals will incur travel costs. Fundraising will be provided to help offset the cost of travel.

What does the registration fee cover?

The registration fee covers uniform rental (both game and competition), practice T- shirt, socks, hair bows, kick pants, facilities rental, equipment (e.g. mats), competition fees, patches, trophies, insurance, conference dues, scholastic registration, first aid supplies, administrative costs and miscellaneous supplies.

What is the time commitment?

During the month of August, practices are held 5 days a week. Each practice is 2 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 held on Saturdays or Sundays.
If a cheer squad qualifies for regionals, practices will continue throughout the month November with regional competition held the Friday November 28th the day after Thanksgiving.
If a cheer squad qualifies for nationals, practices will continue for the first week of December, and travel to Orlando, Florida will take place the second week of December.
The specific practice schedule will be determined based on facility available and team placement. Generally, participants have been able to manage participating in school activities held on an after school basis simultaneous with Pop Warner, but it is difficult to make commitments to other activities during the Pop Warner season.

Can practices be missed?

Due to the nature of the sport, a practice missed by one cheerleader has a significant impact on the squad, particularly on that cheerleader’s stunt 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 to a compelling personal reason.

What if we have a family vacation planned during August? Can my cheerleader miss practices?

Please make an effort to schedule your family vacations during June and July. Though we allow some flexibility for pre-arranged vacations, August is a critical month where skill sets are being evaluated and positions determined.

Do cheerleaders have to cheer for the football games?

Yes. There are 9 games for sure...the Jamboree game on Labor Day weekend (Sunday) and 8 regular season games throughout September and October. Typically, half the regular season games are home games at Terra Nova High School, and the rest will be "away" games. For "away" games, the drive is typically less than one hour. We will travel “caravan style”. If the football team makes the playoffs, there can be up to 3 additional games through Thanksgiving weekend.

How many competitions are there, and is there any travel involved?

There are three competitions. The first is Jamboree, to be September 13th. The second is Invitationals, held locally in early October. This Invitational competition gives the team the experience of performing in a competitive setting, but does not determine advancement to additional competitions. The third competition is Conference Championships, held locally on October 25th or 26th. Once this date is finalized, we will let you know. First, second and third place teams at Conference qualify for Regionals.
Regional Championships are held locally Thanksgiving weekend. There may be an overnight stay involved depending on the timing of the competition and the exact location which has not yet been announced. First and second place teams at Regionals qualify for Nationals.
National Championships are held in Orlando, Florida the second week of December. National Pop Warner provides some competitive travel packages to offset the cost of this expense, which typically involves a 4 or 5 night stay in Orlando, complete with a park pass and meal tickets. Some school will be missed, and Pop Warner provides letters to the schools to explain the absence.

Is there a volunteer requirement?

Yes. Pacifica Tigersharks Football and Cheer is an All-volunteer organization. Each cheerleader must have an adult family member commit to volunteer a minimum of 10 hours per child during the course of the season.

What are the ages of the teams?

Mascot Division – Ages 5-7 (non-competitive)
Jr. Pee Wee Division – Ages 8-11
Pee Wee Division – Ages 9-12
Jr. Midget Division – Ages 10-13
Midget Division – Ages 11-15
Note: Cheerleader’s age as of 7/31/08 determines their age group. No experience is necessary.

What is the size of each team?

There are size limits to the teams based on Pop Warner rules and the number of volunteer coaches. A large squad consists of 20 to 35 cheerleaders and requires 3 adult volunteers. A small squad consists of 19 or fewer cheerleaders and requires 2 adult volunteers.

Who rosters the team and what is the criteria?

The Cheer Athletic Director rosters the teams. All participants will be assigned within the available squads on a first come, first served basis. Participants are placed on teams based on their age, date of registration, experience needed to make a team complete (i.e. tumbler and fliers), prior head coach recommendation for advancement and payment of registration fee.

Can I request to have my daughter placed on a certain team?

You can certainly request a team, but we cannot guarantee that the request will be granted.

When will the team placements be announced?

Team placements will be announced in August. We cannot announce teams prior to that time due to anticipated changes of football teams. After August 15th, team placement will not change unless there is an eligibility issue.

What are the required documents needed to join Pacifica Tigersharks?

For each participant, the following documents must be submitted:
1. A copy of an official birth certificate or passport;
2. A wallet size current photo, head and shoulders, no head gear or glasses;
3. A signed Medical Release Form dated after 1/1/08
4. Report cards covering the full 2007-2008 school year. Be certain you have copies of these report cards prior to the last day of school, as many schools close their administrative offices for the entire summer.
5. A Standard Participant Contract (SPC). These will be provided at a parent meeting.
A cheerleader may not participate unless all of the required documents have been provided. Most of the documents should be provided by June 1st, with any open items cleared prior to the first practice on August 1st.

Why is the report card required, and what if my cheerleader’s grades are not poor?

Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is the only national youth sports organization in America that requires its participants to perform adequately in the classroom before permitting them to play. Pop Warner believes that the standards set give participants a sense of responsibility and an appreciation for academics and athletics that will help them develop later on in life. Proof of satisfactory progress in school is required. A 2.0/70% or the equivalent shall be the minimum grade point average acceptable to participate. We understand that not all student-athletes are able to meet our scholastic requirements. If a child does not meet the requirements of scholastic fitness, he/she may fill out and submit a Scholastic Eligibility Form, which is to be signed by a school administrator stating that the child will benefit from participating in the Pop Warner Program. It is the discretion of the school administrator as to whether or not the student would benefit from participating in Pop Warner.

When are the uniform fittings being held?

Uniform fitting will be held the first week of practice. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Back to the top