West Park Jr Panthers Cheer Frequently Asked Questions
2023 Cheer Handbook - Parent Meeting (1).pdf
Who can sign up for West Park Jr Panthers Cheer?
West Park Jr Panthers will welcome any youth cheerleader in the age groups below, whether they have years of cheer experience or have never cheered before. We are a feeder program for West Park High School and definitely encourage future West Park High School cheerleaders to sign up, but do not have any residential boundary requirements for registration in our youth program.
Which Cheer team will my cheerleader be on?
Our program offers cheerleading for ages 4-14. We have 5 teams, and teams are based on age as of August 1 of the participating year. There may be opportunity for cheerleaders to move up a division based on experience, skill, and team needs. Please contact our Cheer VP at cheervp.wpjp@gmail.com with any questions about placement.
See information on the head coach at your cheerleaders level on the “cheer” tab of our website.
What league are we in?
The West Park Jr Panthers organization is a member of SYF (Sacramento Youth Football). SYF has multiple divisions each year, and division placements can change each year. Specific division placement will be announced when it is released by SYF. Check out www.sacyouthfootball.com for more information about SYF.
What kind of time commitment should I expect during the Cheer season?
The exact dates can change each year when the official SYF start dates are released, but below are some general informational items that you’ll find useful. Youth Cheer is a substantial time commitment and we want to make sure our families are aware. Once the calendar is finalized and announced, it will be very specific and detailed.
* We encourage cheerleaders to play other sports in the cheer off-season, but will also share cheer skill development or strength and conditioning opportunities that we would suggest. There also may be an off-season Jr Panthers comp cheer season depending on interest. *
All of our practices and official camps will be held at West Park High School, (times TBD).
Our season will kick off with a Jr Panthers camp in mid-July, registered for separately.
The season will officially start in mid-July with 4 practices per week (M - Th).
Once our games begin in late-August, practices will decrease to 3 days per week (T - Th).
We will have at least one weekend jamboree/scrimmage day, approximately 8 regular season games on Saturdays, and potentially playoff & championship games on Saturdays.
Organization and team events (fundraising events, parent meetings, opening day, team banquet, etc.).
Home games will be at West Park High School and away games will be at various locations in the region.
Game times are as follows: 8u - 10am, 10u - 12pm, 12u - 2pm, 14u - 4pm.
Games usually last approximately 2 hours, and coaches generally ask cheerleaders to arrive approximately 90 minutes prior to game time for pre-game meetings and warmups.
The season will end in late-October or early-November, depending on playoffs & results.
There will be some SYF cheer competitions during the season. Schedule will be announced as it is released.
** Any changes to the schedule will always be communicated as soon as possible. **
Are practices mandatory?
Yes. Cheer is a team sport and practices are important for cheerleaders to learn to work as a team on their cheers and routines. It is important to have all cheerleaders at practices. In the event that a situation arises where you will not be able to attend practice, please contact your head coach and team parent as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, there may be performance consequences from missed practices.
Can parents stay to watch practice?
Yes. There will be specified areas at practice for parents to stay and watch (bringing a folding chair is recommended). It is helpful for parents to watch practice to see what skills, cheers, and routines are being taught so the parent can support and supplement these things at home. It is important for parents to understand their role as a spectator at practices and allow their child to be with their team and coaches without parental interference during practice time, which allows our coaches to focus on coaching and our cheerleaders to focus on getting coached by their coaches.
What items are included in registration, and what do we need to provide?
Your registration includes a spirit pack for you to keep (t-shirt, shorts, bow). These will be handed out in advance of the Jamboree.
Families will also purchase their cheer uniform and shoes. These will be purchased through our program vendor, and announcements will be made about dates and costs. All cheerleaders will also need to bring a large jug of water to each practice and game.
What safety measures do we employ within our organization to ensure our cheerleaders are safe?
EMT professionals will be present at every game.
We have a dedicated Board Member for equipment and medical needs. This board member or another assigned and trained adult will be present at all practices and is responsible for monitoring any possible equipment or medical need.
All coaches at all levels are CPR and First Aid certified, and must pass a full background check in order to become an SYF certified coach.
Our teams will have a systematic approach to practice scheduling to keep the focus on technique, skill, and knowledge development to improve technique and confidence. All stunts performed will be developmentally appropriate and taught using proper technique progressions, and all appropriate safety precautions will be used.
What are the costs and other financial aspects of youth Cheer?
Registration will be between $350 and $400, depending on when you register (register early to get the early-bird discount). Registration for Mascot cheerleaders is $150.
Payment plans are available in 3 monthly installments.
There will be an additional refundable deposit check requested for required volunteer hours (amount TBD), this deposit check will be destroyed or returned when the volunteer hours are complete.
In the event that your cheerleader is no longer a member of the team, full or partial refunds may be available, depending on the timing and reasons/circumstances of the cheerleader no longer being a member of the team.
Families will need to purchase their cheer uniform and shoes as referenced in the FAQ section above.
There may also be additional costs associated with additional tumbling instruction.
There is a possibility of financial assistance to families that have financial needs. Please email our president at president.wpjp@gmail.com for details.
Our program needs your financial support. Please participate in and tell your friends about our fundraising efforts and events to support our program!
If you own a company, work for a company, or know of a company that would like to support our program, please encourage them to become a business sponsor. More information is on the sponsorships tab on our website.
Are there required volunteer hours for parents?
Yes, our program has no paid staff, and is run completely by volunteers. It is important that each family does their part to help our systems run smoothly. There are several types of jobs to sign up for in order to meet your required hours. Amount of volunteer hours are TBD. More information will be provided by the team parent for your team and our Board Member overseeing volunteer hours.
What documents are required with my registration?
Medical Release/Physical: All cheerleaders must have a medical release (physical) done after April 1st and turned in before any participation. The physician should complete the SYF Physical Form and MUST be signed and stamped by the physician.
Proof of Age: ALL cheerleaders must provide Proof of Age by providing one of the following:
School Registration Information Sheet: Printed from the school information system (Powerschool or similar) for the upcoming school year beginning this Fall. Must include child's name, date of birth, address and grade in the Fall. If enrolled in RCSD, click here for directions on how to print Returning Student Registration.
Letter of School Verification: Letter from school office for the upcoming year beginning this Fall. Must include child's name, date of birth, address and grade in the Fall on school letterhead and must include school stamp and be signed.
TIP: print out or request a letter of school enrollment verification/proof of age requirement prior to June when the school information systems or office is closed.
How do people stay informed about West Park Jr Panthers?
Check our website at www.wpjrpanthers.com often.
Join our West Park Jr Panthers group on Facebook.
Follow West Park Jr Panthers @wpjrpanthers on Instagram.
Once you get registered, check your emails consistently for updates and information.
Talk about West Park Jr Panthers in the neighborhood, and tell your friends. Word of mouth is still a great way to get information out there!
Will the West Park Jr. Panthers be fielding two teams?
- Yes! We plan to field two teams at each division to allow more players to be part of the organization and not have to make cuts and also to provide more opportunities for playing time.
How will families manage game schedules if they have multiple athletes?
- Family circumstances will definitely be considered to avoid separating athletes from siblings and/or parent coaches.
If there are two teams at each level, will one team be better than the other?
- All teams will be thought of and treated with equal respect. The goal will be to create two teams that can both be as competitive as possible in the different divisions SYF places in them.
Can I pick which team my player is placed on?
Can I get a refund for my registration?
Refunds will be honored based on the following schedule:
• Full refund (less payment transaction fees) through June 1
• Refund less cost of spirit pack & payment transaction fees until first day of practice (July 15)
• Post July 15, refunds will be evaluated by the WPJP Board