TEAMS:

Q: How are the age groups divided? What team will my child be on?​

A: Our program consists of COMPETITIVE CHEER and GAME DAY CHEER. Teams are organized by grades- 1st/2nd (E Team - Game Day Only), 3rd/4th (D Team), 5th/6th (C Team) and 7th/8th (A Team). Team placement is based on the grade your child is entering in the fall.

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Q: Can my child participate in Marblehead Youth Football Cheerleading (MYFC) if they do not want to compete or cannot attend ALL mandatory competitions/practices?​
A: Athletes who have busy weekday schedules or do not wish to be on a competitive cheer team can participate in Game Day Cheer only.  Game Day Cheer practices and cheers at weekly weekend youth football games.

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COMPETITION TEAMS:

Q: What is the time commitment for the Marblehead Youth Cheer’s Competition Teams?

A: Our season consists of practices, games, and competitions beginning in August and
lasting through mid-November.

• Mandatory practices are held two - three times a week.  More practices are often added in October, as we get closer to a competition.

• All MYFC participants cheer at mandatory youth football games on Saturday or Sundays each weekend from September to November depending on playoffs. Each team cheers at one game per weekend, which typically last approximately 1.5 hours. Cheerleaders are expected to arrive 1 hour prior to kick-off for practice.

• There are 2-3 mandatory competitions depending on team level, which are held on weekends toward the end of October and mid-November.

• All competitions and practices are MANDATORY. If you have any pre-scheduled plans in the month of October or early November that would require missing practices and/or competitions, then your athlete should participate only in Game Day Cheer.

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GAME DAY TEAMS:

Q: What is the time commitment for the Marblehead Youth Cheer’s Game Day Cheer?

A: Game Day Cheer is non-competitive and a great option for those who do not want to compete, might travel in the fall, or have commitments to other activities or sports. Game Day Cheer practice is held 1 hour before the Marblehead Youth Football Games (typically Saturday or Sunday) where the athletes perform sidelines cheers during and a halftime routine. The Game Day teams will attend pre-season practices, will perform at Marblehead Youth Night at a MHS football game, and be a part of the end of the year banquet.​​

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Q: What is the inspiration team?

A: The Inspiration team was created in 2024 and ​​is an inclusive cheer team for athletes of all abilities ages 6 and up. Each inspiration cheerleader will be matched up with a unified partner.  

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SUMMER PRACTICES:

Q: When do summer practices take place?

A: Summer practices begin in early August and will be held twice a week in the evenings outside. All MYFC participants are required to attend pre-season/summer practices. We will allow 3 unexcused absences during summer practices as we understand camps and vacations may make it difficult to attend, however, if your athlete is unable to attend the majority of summer practices then this cheer program is not the right fit for you.

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SEASON DURATION:

Q: How long does the season last?

A: Summer practices begin in August and the season lasts through early to mid-
November depending on competition dates and playoff football game schedules.

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Q: My child also does other fall sports, and one of the practices is the same night
as cheer. Can they miss one practice per week, or show up late for that practice?

A: No - we cannot allow regularly missed practices due to the safety of our cheerleaders. This is a team sport and requires all members to be present to have an effective practice. If one person on the team is missing, then an entire stunt group cannot practice, which puts team members at risk of injury due to lack of ability and stunt building progression. This is a short season, with fast moving choreography. Missing even one practice can put a team member behind and others at risk. Please plan other fall activities accordingly around cheer practices, games and competitions.

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PRACTICES, COMPETITIONS & GAMES:

Q: Where are practices held, and how long do they last?

A: Practices for the Competitive Cheer  teams are held in the Marblehead Community Center at 10 Humphrey St. in the gymnasium two days/week for approximately 2 hours depending on the team level.  Additional practices are often added in October, as we get closer to competitions.  Game Day Cheer practices are held at the football field, prior to each youth football game.

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Q: How many competitions are there? What if my cheerleader has to miss one?

A: We typically compete at 2-3 competitions per season. Attendance is MANDATORY for
all competitions as well as practices the week prior to each one. If a cheerleader
is ill or injured prior to a competition, we must rework the routine which could result in
additional practice time. Please refrain from scheduling any events, parties, trips, etc.
From early October to mid-November until the competition schedule is released. Cheerleading is a competitive team sport, so missing practices and competitions affect the entire team’s ability to perform at the top of their team level.

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Q: Is attendance at the football games mandatory for MYFC participants?

A: Yes, although we do understand fall weekends can be busy with other commitments.
We ask that families make attendance at the games a priority. It is difficult to perform the half-time routine without everyone present as it involves stunts on the field.

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Q: What gear is needed for the Competition Teams?

A: These athletes will need to purchase team jackets, pom poms, bows, practice tank tops, game day jerseys, and an underlayer.  These items will be available to try on and purchase at try-on night prior to the start of the season.  In addition, all athletes will need to provide their own white cheer sneakers, black practice shorts, black leggings, and sports bras. Competition Uniforms will be provided by the program and are expected to be returned in good, clean condition after the season.

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Q: What Gear do Game Day Cheerleaders need?

A: Game Day athletes will need to purchase practice tank tops, team jackets, pom poms, bows, and a game day jersey.  These items will be available to try on and purchase at try-on night prior to the start of the season.  In addition, all athletes will need to provide their own white cheer sneakers, black practice shorts, black leggings, and sports bras. 

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Q: I would love to help out! Do I need any experience with cheerleading?

A: No experience is necessary! There are many opportunities to help with Marblehead
Youth Football Cheerleading, and this program would not run without the efforts of our volunteers.

Whether you have an interest in coaching, being a team parent, or a position on the
board we can always use your help. Game Day Cheer requires two parent volunteers to attend each week’s practice and game.  The only requirement is that those parents be CORI’ed prior to the beginning of the season through USA Cheer (which we will help coordinate) and attend our Game Day coaching workshop so you can be confident in knowing the ins and outs of sideline cheering at Game Day

 

If you have prior experience in All-Star, high school, or collegiate cheerleading, gymnastics, or dance and would like to support our team of amazing coaches on our competition teams, please reach out

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We reserve the right to change the following information to comply with current local and state guidelines