Mason Youth Football Cheerleading 

Frequently Asked Questions

SEASON

How long is the cheerleading season?

The cheerleading season starts with the football season start (July 23) and goes until mid-November.

 Where and when are our games/practices?

Games are played different communities in the league.  (Anderson, Indian Hill, Kings, Lakota, Loveland, Milford, Sharonville and Sycamore.)  Games are played on either Saturday or Sunday throughout the season.  Our home field is at the Mason Intermediate 45 building.  Practice locations vary from the “bus garage”, Corwin Nixon Park, and the Mason Intermediate campus.

 How often do we practice?  How long?

At the beginning of the season, you are likely to practice 2-3 nights per week for 1-2 hours between 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM Monday thru Thursday.  Later in the season, practice times may be cut down.  The practice day/times vary from squad to squad and will be set by your coach.

 Do we cheer in inclement weather?

Yes, games/practices are usually only cancelled or delayed due to lightning.

SQUADS

Are there tryouts for MYFC?

You do not tryout to be on a squad.

Will my child be on a squad with children his/her same age?

Our squads consist of mixed ages for the most part due to the fact that we let cheerleaders cheer for or with their siblings.  Otherwise, we try to keep the cheerleaders with the same age football team.

Can my child cheer for his/her brother’s football team?

Yes, your child can cheer for their brother’s football team.  If you choose to have your child cheer for a different team, be aware that you are taking on double the time commitment.

What if sibling's football team does not have a cheerleading squad for my
child to be on? 
 

Then your child would be place on an age appropriate squad.  This sometimes
occurs when we do not have enough coaches/cheerleaders to fill a squad for
each football team.

Do my children have to be on the same squad?

No, siblings do not have to cheer for the same squad.  If you choose to have your children cheer on different squads, be aware that you are taking on double the time commitment.

Do I have to stay on the same squad as last year? Can I request a coach?

No, you do not have to stay on the same squad, but you may not choose a different coach when you switch squads. Cheerleaders changing squads and all new cheerleaders will go into the draft and be placed on an age appropriate squad.  The exception would be a cheerleader who wants to cheer for his/her brother’s football team.

PRACTICE/GAMES

If my child is ill or not able to attend school for any other reason, should they attend practice/games?

No, if your child is ill or not able to attend school for any other reason, please do not send them to practice/games until they are able to return to school.

Are practices/games mandatory?

Yes, practices and games are mandatory.

What should my child wear to practices?

Your child should come to practice in comfortable, weather appropriate clothes.  Examples would be shorts, sweats, leggings, t-shirts, and tennis shoes.  DO NOT wear dresses, skirts, tight jeans, halter tops, or sandals.  Hair should be pulled back away from face at all times.

Can my child be involved in other activities as well as cheerleading?

MYFC strongly advises against being involved in another activity along with cheerleading.  Cheerleading is a time consuming activity and we have found in the past that it doesn’t mix well with other activities.

EVENTS

Cheer Camp, Grimes Bowl, Competition, Jamboree, Heritage Parade, post season bowl games, Banquet

What is cheer camp?  Is it mandatory?

Cheer camp is an event at the beginning of our season that teaches our cheerleaders the cheers that we will be doing in the Heritage Parade.  It’s an opportunity for the youth cheerleaders to get to know the High School cheerleaders who run our camp.  They will teach them jumps, chants, cheers, and a small dance.  This event is a mandatory event for all squads.

What is a cheer clinic?  Is it mandatory?

A cheer clinic is an opportunity for children who have never cheered to see what it’s all about and for returning cheerleaders to work on their skills.  They will learn jumps, chants, cheers, and a small dance.  This is opened to the public and not a mandatory event.  Cheers, chants, and dance learned at this clinic will not necessarily be used by your squad.  There is an additional charge for clinics.

What is the Grimes Bowl?

The Grimes Bowl is a bowl game played near the end of the season at the Mason High School field.  Usually the Grimes Bowl is played by two Mason teams.  The games will be televised on cable TV.  The Grimes Bowl is a mandatory event.

Will we go to Competition?  What will the cost be?

Yes, each squad is required to attend a competition chosen by the MYFC board.  Participation is mandatory and there will be an additional charge.  Competition fees are usually around $12 per girl and due towards the end of September.  Competition usually takes place in October and will be held on a Saturday or Sunday.  Competition is an all day event.

What is the Jamboree?

The Jamboree is a game at the beginning of the season.  We call this game our “dress rehearsal” because it is our first game and is usually run as a scrimmage game.

Will the cheerleaders be involved in Mason’s Heritage Parade?

Yes, our cheerleaders march in Mason’s Heritage Parade.  Your coach will give you more details.

What is a post season bowl game and will we have to cheer at them?

Post season bowl games are additional games added onto your regular season games at the end of the season.  They are mandatory cheerleading events.

Will the cheerleaders have a year-end banquet?

Yes, MYFC board contributes money to help defray the cost of a year end banquet.  Most squads choose to have their banquet with their football team.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Are monthly coaches meetings open to parents? Yes, monthly coach meetings are open to parents.  For dates/times refer to the MYF website on the cheerleading link. Who is my Board Rep and what does she do for our squad? Your Board Rep is a member of the MYFC board who represents your squad.  Your coach will inform you who your rep is.  If you have any questions or concerns, you would contact your board rep. Will my child be taught tumbling? No, our coaches are not able or permitted to teach tumbling.  If your child knows how to tumble, he/she will be permitted to tumble. Will my child be permitted to stunt or mount? No, there is absolutely no stunting or mounting permitted in our league. Will my child receive a trophy at the end of the year? Each cheerleader will receive a gift of some kind from the MYFC organization.  We try to give an original gift each year. Will there be other expenses throughout the year? Yes, you can expect additional small expenses throughout the season.  Money may be collected for drinks, snacks, banquet, pictures, competition, tattoos, or misc. items. If my child’s shoes from last year still fit and are in good condition, do I have to purchase new shoes? Yes, it is a package price and an MYFC policy. Who will be coaching and what are their qualifications? Our coaches are volunteers who have been interviewed by the MYFC board. When will I be notified if my child has been placed on a squad and who will their coach be? You will be notified around the end of March that your child has been placed on a squad with a phone call/e-mail from their coach.  If you are a returning cheerleader, unless you request otherwise, you will remain with your coach from last year.  Does MYFC Fundraise?  Why? MYFC is a non-profit organization and we need to raise funds to keep our organization running smoothly.  While we have decided to cut out individual fundraising for our organization for the safety and convenience of our cheerleaders we need to raise money to help pay for things such as cheer camp, poms, rain coats, end of year gifts, banquets, and more.  So while we have cut out individual fundraising we still do “group” fundraisers to benefit the organization – participation is not mandatory.  (Some of our fundraisers include:  Sponsor Banner, Kroger Neighborhood Reward Program, Wendy’s Burger Bash and the Jamboree.)