We are excited for the 2024 season with American Youth Cheer (AYC) and the Eastern MA (EMASS) Conference. Below you’ll find information related to Spring Cheer, Fall Registration, Divisions and Team Placement, Practice Schedules, and Save the Dates.
Please direct all cheer related questions and inquiries to Steph Krol at stephaniekrolwyfc@gmail.com.
Spring Cheer
WYFC Spring Cheer Clinics are for all new & returning Waltham youth cheerleaders, current grades K - 7. This year’s spring clinics will be held in 2 sessions, one during April school vacation week, the second on Monday/Friday nights May 20 - June 21. Both are located at Kennedy Middle School. For more information and to register, please use this form.
2024 Fall Season Cheer Registration
- Waltham Youth Cheer registration is open to cheerleaders entering 1st - 8th grade in the 2024-2025 school year.
- Cheer Registration opens on or around March 1, 2024. Registration forms will be available on www.walthamyouthfootballandcheer.com/
- Cheer Registration deadline is May 31, 2024
- Fit Night tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 6, 2024
- Paperwork Night will be on Friday, June 21, 2024
- Cheer Paperwork deadline is July 31, 2024
- All Competition teams are committing to travel if the team advances to States, Regionals, Nationals.
- Non-Advancing teams are committing to local and invitational competitions only.
If you have an incoming Kindergarten or 1st grader (as of Fall 2024) interested in cheer for game day only and performing at our showcase in Waltham, let us know! Please fill out this form to help us determine if there is enough interest to form a non-competition team.
Divisions & Teams
AYC divisions are age based. Placement of participants on a cheer roster is based on their age as of July 31 of the current year (7/31/2024). Teams may be categorized as small v. large based on the number of cheerleaders per squad, as well as, level 1, 2, 3 or 4 depending on skill ability. Squads also declare whether they are Competition Non-Advancing or Advancing. Below is a brief description of each declaration. Potential Competing Teams and Non-competing teams offered.
Final offerings and team placements will depend on registration numbers.
| Competition Non-Advancing |
For our youngest cheerleaders on 8u this provides the opportunity for the team to perform a full two minute and 30 second routine. It provides the opportunity for the team’s routine to be judged enabling coaches to identify areas for enhancement going forward. Competition non-advancing teams are placed at invitational or local competition events but do not advance to States. Practices are limited to 2x a week. |
| Competition | Provides the opportunity for the team’s routine to be judged, the squad to be placed and to advance. Competition teams compete at invitational and Local events with the objective of placing first, second or third in order to advance to State, Regional and National Championships. Competition teams practice up to 3x a week. |
Once the registration process has been completed, cheerleaders will be assigned to a squad. Each cheerleader will be notified of their team placement in June. The divisions below show a broad range of ages per division.
| Division | Age Range (as of 7/31/2024) |
Category |
| 14u | Ages 11-14 | Competition |
| 12u | Ages 9-12 | Competition |
| 10u | Ages 7-10 | Competition |
| 8u | Ages 5-8* | Competition Non-Advancing |
* Waltham Youth Cheer registration is open to cheerleaders entering 1st - 8th grade in the 2024-2025 school year.
Practice Schedules
Summer practices
Summer practices will be the first two weeks of August between 5:00 - 8:00pm. Teams will practice up to 3-4 times per week. Cheerleaders are allowed to miss up to 2 summer practices. Summer practices are important to fill the 10 hours of required conditioning prior to starting regular practices. Coaches will be flexible in working with families around vacation schedules.
Competition practices
Starting the week of August 19, competition squads will continue to practice 2-3 days a week through the competition season. Practice days, times and locations will depend on the availability of gym space at Kennedy Middle School and the Dual Language Elementary School (aka Rec Center).
Competition practices are mandatory. It is essential that all girls attend practice as this is a team sport and being absent can affect the entire team (stunt groups, etc). Repeated absences or tardiness will potentially result in being pulled from the competition routine.
Teams and Practice Schedules will be released by June 1.
You’ll learn more about the competition team guidelines and expectations when we kick-off the 2024 season but if you have any questions or concerns prior to registering, please reach out to stephaniekrolwyfc@gmail.com.
Save the Dates!
|
Registration, Football Games, & Showcase! Spring Cheer - Registration is open and closes April 4, 2024. Fall Season Registration - Registration opens in March 1, 2024 Football Games - There will be 8 regular season football games starting the first weekend in September. Cheerleaders are expected to travel for away games. Football play-offs begin the end of October and wrap-up in mid-November. Competitions - First competition is usually the end of September and locals are mid-October. Advancing squads run through mid-December with travel. Fit Night to be held Friday June 6 at the Kennedy Middle School from 6:00-7:30 PM (tentative date) Paperwork Night to be held Friday June 21 at the Kennedy Middle School from 6:00-7:30 PM Showcase night - Date TBD |
2024 Cheer Competition Dates & Locations EMASS Power in Pink Invitational New England Regional Championship |
Apparel, Accessories & Equipment
Cheerleaders are required to wear athletic clothing (e.g. shorts, t-shirt, cheer sneakers) to all practices. There should be no denim, zippers or buttons on shorts. Camis or spaghetti strapped tops are not allowed. (These can cause safety issues when stunting).
No Jewelry is allowed (e.g. earrings or other piercings) with exception to medical id bracelets or necklaces.
All cheerleaders should have their hair pulled back in a ponytail for every practice. No nail polish is allowed and all nails should be kept short.
Cheer apparel is a combination of:
- Items provided by the program as part of registration (e.g. uniform top, skirt, poms, practice t-shirt)
- Items ordered by the program and paid separately by the cheerleader (e.g. lollies, bow)
- Items purchased separately by the cheerleader not ordered by the program (e.g. white cheer sneakers, black leggings for cold days, red or black warmup jacket)
Any items owned by Waltham Youth Cheer are not to be worn outside of league sponsored events. They can be washed on the gentle cycle in cold water but line dried only. Uniforms will be returned to Waltham Youth Cheer at the end of the season. Uniforms not returned or damaged will be the financial responsibility of the parents or guardians.
Cheer apparel fitting night(s) will be held in June. We make every effort to keep mandatory items the same for a number of consecutive years so they may be re-used year after year or passed on to others. If you have any immediate questions relative to estimated costs, please reach out to stephaniekrolwyfc@gmail.com. Additional information will also be shared via email to all registrants.
Additional expenses to plan for:
- Cheer apparel not included in registration fees
- Competition entrance tickets
- Possible travel for regional and national competitions
- If a team qualifies for the national competition in Kissimmee, Florida, there will be fundraising opportunities to support the cost of travel for the cheerleaders and their families.
Behavior Policy
All Cheerleaders are expected to adhere to the code of conduct.
Fighting, intimidation, bullying, use of illegal substances (including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vaping by minors) or disrespect for authority by any cheerleader or parent during practices, games or Waltham Youth Football & Cheer functions will not be tolerated. These activities may result in suspension up to removal from the Waltham Youth Football & Cheer program without refund.
Please remember that each cheerleader is representing Waltham Youth Football & Cheer and the Town of Waltham. Cheerleaders and parents should always conduct themselves in a proper manner and display good sportsmanship to the organization, team members, coaches and opposing teams.
Volunteer Needs and Requirements
Waltham Youth Football & Cheer is an all-volunteer organization. We always need volunteers and there are many different ways you can contribute to make a difference – fundraising, concessions, game day chains, cheer competitions, coaching, or as a team parent. If everyone does a little it goes a long way!
Please let us know where you can volunteer!