WELCOME TO IPSWICH-TRITON YOUTH CHEERLEADING - Home of the New England Cheer and Dance 1st place divisional winners!
Registration is open from February 15 - June 25, 2024.
Ipswich-Triton Youth Cheerleading is a member of the Cape Ann League and Massachusetts Youth Cheer Alliance.
This program is open to Ipswich and Triton residents entering kindergarten in the fall through 8th grade. The season
runs from August to early November. Our goal is to provide a positive learning experience, focused on teamwork and
safety. Most importantly, we want each child to have fun!
Cheerleaders learn cheers, dance routines, stunts, tumbling and jumps. Cheerleaders participate at both home and
away games (sideline) and as competitive cheerleaders. Cheerleaders are assigned to a team by grade in
accordance with cheerleading regulations.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to us at any time. We look forward to another successful season.
[email protected]
Ipswich-Triton Cheer Directors,
Molly Brisson
Amanda Small
Ashley Segee
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better understand the program.
REGISTRATION
● Registration fees for the 2024 season are $259. The league offers a $25 sibling discount.
● Registration opens February 15th and closes June 1st.
● Once each team meets their capacity your child will be placed on the wait list. We encourage you to
register early as spots will be limited.
● Cheerleaders will not be able to join without signed waivers and registration fees paid. Birth certificates
will also be required per competition rules.
● Registration includes uniform (except Mascot division), poms, bow and t-shirt.
TEAM ASSIGNMENTS
Cheerleaders are assigned to teams by grades/birth years. Team assignments will be based on the number of
registrants. For example:
● Mascots/D team—Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade
● JVC--3rd and 4th grade
● C Team--5th and 6th grade
● A Team--7th and 8th grade
GAME INFORMATION:
● Games typically start the weekend after Labor Day.
● Games are once a week on Saturday/Sunday.
● Cheerleaders meet 30 minutes before kickoff.
● Cheerleaders travel to both home and away games.
● All games are mandatory.
● Games are held rain or shine.
PRACTICE INFORMATION
● Practices begin August 1st.
● Final practice schedule will be sent via email in July.
● Practices are held at Ipswich Town Hall Fields and various local gyms. Summer practices will be
outdoors, and then we will move inside come September.
● Extra practices will be held as competition season approaches in October and November.
PRACTICE FREQUENCY & LENGTH
Summer practices are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 5:30-7:30. Practices will be longer over the
summer in order to learn cheers and half-time routine. In addition to summer practices, each team will be assigned a
mandatory 4 hour choreography practice. Choreography will tentatively take place on August 24 and 25.
September-November practices are Monday and Wednesday from 5:30-7:00. Additional practices will be
added during competition season on Fridays from 5-8pm. Each team will be assigned a 1-1.5 hour window. Friday
practices are held at Cheerletics in Georgetown, and run for 5 consecutive weeks beginning October 11. These
practices are subject to change.
COMPETITION INFORMATION
● Cheerleaders will participate in 3 local competitions in October and November.
○ Cheer for a Cure (Topsfield) is mid/end October
○ MYCA (Andover) is scheduled for 11/02/24
○ New England Cheer and Dance (Boston) is tentatively scheduled 2nd or 3rd weekend in
November.
● Kindergarteners perform as “Mascots” i.e. non- competitive division. This is great experience with less
pressure for our youngest squad. With that being said, depending on team size, they may compete with
the 1-2 grade team. This will be at the discretion of their coach.
● If your child cannot 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.
● Please take into consideration the level of commitment that comes with being on a competitive team.
While our goals line up with other cheer and dance programs, we understand it is not for everyone.
UNIFORMS
● A uniform fitting will take place early June.
● 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.
WHAT ITEMS WILL NEED TO BE PURCHASED:
● Cheer sneakers approximately $40-$50
● Cheer jacket $60 (same as last year)
● Black tumble shorts $10
● Black leggings
The above items are yours to keep.
ABSENCE 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.
● All absences need to be communicated to your child's coach in advance of missing a practice/game.
● If a cheerleader is absent during competition week, they may forfeit their position on the mat.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
● Each team will have a team “mom”. Team mom is the lifeline between coaches and parents. Responsibilities
include: Communicating with coaches and parents, organizing team events, keeping track of game calendar
and schedule changes, and updating team pages with important information. This role is best for a veteran
cheer parent or one with a cheer background.
● Several parents will form a fundraising committee, who plan/oversee fundraising and set fundraising goals.
Boosters will also plan an end of the season banquet with football teams, buy gifts and trophies.
● All parents must volunteer at some point in the season. There will be a sign up sheet for running the snack
shack and 50/50 raffles during home games. We also need volunteers for MYCA competition.