Welcome to Ipswich-Triton Youth Cheerleading. Registration opens to returning athletes on April 1st, 2025. New participant registration opens April 8th and runs until June 1st or until team capacity has been met.
Ipswich-Triton Youth Cheerleading is a member of the Cape Ann Youth Football League and NCYFC. This program is open to Ipswich and Triton residents entering kindergarten in the fall through 8th grade. The season runs from early August to early December. Our mission is to build self-confidence, attain personal and team goals, and focus on promoting an athlete's potential. Most importantly, we are committed to ensuring each child has a safe and enjoyable time!
Cheerleaders are taught sideline cheers, stunts, tumbling, jumps and a competition routine. Cheerleaders participate at both home and away games (sideline) and as competitive cheerleaders. Cheerleaders are assigned to a team by age in accordance with AYC cheerleading regulations.
Coaches are CORI certified and hold cheer training certifications. They volunteer many hours to ensure the success of this program.
If you have any further questions, please reach out at any time.
Ashley Segee, Ipswich-Triton Cheer Director
[email protected]
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better understand the commitment of the program.
REGISTRATION:
● Registration opens April 1st and closes June 1st.
● Once each team meets their capacity your child will be placed on a waitlist. We encourage you to register early as spots will be limited.
● Cheerleaders will not be able to participate without documentation, including: birth certificate, physical with 2025 date, school transcript, liability waivers and photo release form.
● Athletes will not be allowed to participate without registration fees paid in full.
● Registration fee includes a bow and tshirt.
TEAM ASSIGNMENTS:
Cheerleaders are assigned to teams based on age as of 7/31. We have a first come, first served policy. We encourage athletes of all abilities to sign up- no experience necessary. While we do our best to keep friends together, team assignments will be based on the number of registrants per team.
● 8u- ages 5, 6, 7, 8
● 10u- ages 7, 8, 9, 10
● 12u- ages 9, 10, 11,12
● 14u- ages 11,12,13,14
GAME INFORMATION:
● Games start the weekend after Labor Day.
● Games are once a week on Saturday or Sunday.
● Cheerleaders meet 30 minutes before kickoff.
● All cheerleaders travel to both home and away games.
● All games are MANDATORY.
● Games are held rain or shine.
● Playoffs are NOT included in regular season schedule, and will add several additional weeks to the season.
PRACTICE INFORMATION:
● Practices begin first Monday in August.
● All participants, regardless of when they join the team, must have at least one (1) week of conditioning (at least ten [10] hours) before they can engage in regular practice sessions.
● Practice schedule will be sent via email in July.
● Practices are mandatory.
● Practices are held at Ipswich Town Hall Fields and at other local gyms.
● Extra practices will be held as competition season approaches during October and November.
PRACTICE FREQUENCY & LENGTH:
● All teams practice at least 2 days per week for 1.5-2 hours.
● Summer practices are 3x/week for 1.5 hours-2 hours
● In addition to regular practices, each team will be assigned mandatory choreography practices on a weekend in August.
COMPETITION INFORMATION:
● The cheerleaders will participate in 2-3 local competitions in October and November.
● If your child can't make one of the competitions, then they will be permitted to be a game day only cheerleader.
● Parents may be responsible for additional competition fees, however fundraising will be allowed to help offset such costs.
NATIONALS COMPETITION:
● National track teams will be determined by coaches and director by September 1.
● If a team is on the national track, a parent has the option to decline individual participation.
● If a child would like to compete nationally, a contract and $100 deposit will be required.
● Nationals is in Kissimmee, Florida from December 2-7 2025.
● Athletes are required to stay at AYC assigned hotels with teammates and families. Therefore, no timeshares, DVC, Air bnb, etc. are allowed.
● Fundraising will take place throughout the season to offset some of these costs (and fund disbursements will be needs based)
● MORE INFO TO COME IN SEPTEMBER!
UNIFORMS:
● A uniform will be ordered during a fitting in June, and handed out before first game.
● A uniform and poms contract will need to be signed and damaged uniforms need to be replaced.
● Uniforms and poms are property of the league, and need to be turned in at the end of the season.
● Failure to do so will result in a hold being placed on your account, prohibiting you to register the following season until it is turned in or a replacement fee has been paid.
ITEMS REQUIRED TO BE PURCHASED:
● White Cheer Sneakers- $25+
● Cheer jacket- $60+ (returning athletes do not need to purchase)
● Black leggings
● Optional warm ups will be offered, as well as other team swag.
● All items purchased are yours to keep.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Cheerleading is a team sport that depends on each cheerleader’s participation. Each cheerleader has a position- flyer, base, back spot, front spot. Therefore, we cannot practice their stunts and pyramids without each member.
● All practices, games, choreography days and competitions are mandatory. That being said, we understand that children get sick or may have an absence.
● After 5 unexcused absences the coach reserves the right to remove your child from the competition team and have him/her participate as a game day only cheerleader.
● All absences need to be communicated to your child's coach in advance of missing a practice/game.
● ALL absences in Oct/Nov will require a doctor's note- therefore we do not allow unexcused absences during this time.
● If a cheerleader has an unexcused absence during competition week, they may forfeit their position on the mat.
● Special accommodations may potentially be made on a case by case basis and will be up to the coach’s discretion, with approval from the cheer director.
● It will be your child’s responsibility to catch up with their peers on what they have missed.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT:
Parents should expect to invest time in our program. This includes driving to practices, attending games and competitions, checking emails and group chats regularly, attending parent meetings, and picking child up on time. We encourage you to meet other team parents who may help with carpooling.
● Each team will have a team parent. Team parent is the lifeline between coaches and parents. Responsibilities include: Communication, organizing team events, being a helper, keeping track of calendar and parent volunteers, work with fundraising committee, create sign up forms, etc. This role is best for a veteran cheer parent or one with a cheer background.
● Several parents will form a fundraising and banquet committee, that will plan/oversee fundraising and set fundraising goals. They will also plan for an end of the season banquet, gifts and trophies.
● All parents must volunteer at some point in the season. Opportunities include running the snack shack and/or 50/50, and helping at competitions. Competitions require many individuals to help them run smoothly, and we may be fined for not contributing.