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| Our all star cheerleading teams are formed annually in April through stress-free and fun evaluation sessions. Evaluations for the 2008- 2009 season will begin on April 19, 2008. Click here for more information! Evaluations allow us to assess each athlete's skill level as well as their potential and willingness to learn. We will then place each athlete on the team best suited for their age and skill level. After each athlete has been placed appropriately, most of our teams will be completely full. However, it is sometimes possible to make a team after evaluations through a private tryout, but spaces on teams will be very limited and we are often only looking for very specific ages or types of athletes. For more information about joining our program, please contact head coach Jen Nettleton. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Page 1 of 3) What is all-star cheerleading? All-star cheerleading is different from your ordinary sideline cheerleading because it is strictly competition and performance based. We do not cheer for a specific sports team, but rather, WE ARE THE SPORT. In all-star cheerleading, our athletes are able to learn and advance their skills in a safe environment with a knowledgeable and experienced coaching staff. Our teams perform action-packed routines at competitions and local exhibitions consisting of tumbling, stunts, jumps, and dance. All-star cheerleading also allows us to have athletes from all over Central Illinois combined into one program consisting of multiple teams and levels. While most of our cheerleaders are from the Bloomington-Normal area, we also have athletes from the surrounding communities of Heyworth, Gibson City, Pekin, Farmer City, Morton, Decatur, Tremont, Mahomet, Dwight, Towanda, and Downs. Why should I join the Lions? Our program has made a huge difference in the lives of numerous cheerleaders and families who have been a part of our program throughout our eight year history. Through instilling positive values of teamwork and commitment, our athletes learn many new skills and create friendships that will last a lifetime. From our very youngest team members to our oldest, we are one big family who encourage and support each other at all times. We have received comments from other teams' parents and coaches at competitions not only about how talented our teams are, but also how supportive they are of each other and how great our fans are for all of our performances. At Victory, we strive to make sure that each and every athlete in our program reaches their potential. Our teams consistently rank in the top in regional, state, and national competitions. Our coaching staff pushes each cheerleader to become their best, while having fun at the same time. Still not convinced? Check out what our current athletes and parents are saying about their experiences. I want to join Lions, but evaluations are still a few months away, what should I do now? The first thing that you should do is contact our head coach Jen Nettleton. Depending on your age and experience level, she can give you some possible options, which may include taking one of our tumbling or cheerleading classes, or joining one of our current teams if there would happen to be an available position at that time. You may also set up a time with her to come and observe our current teams practicing so that you can see what it's all about. What ages can participate in your program? Athletes as young as 4 and as old as 18 can participate in our program. We follow United States All Star Federation (USASF) age division guidelines: Tiny – 5 and under, Mini – 8 and under, Youth – 11 and under, Junior – 14 and under, and Senior – 18 and under. Ages for the 2008-2009 season will be based on the athlete's age as of May 31, 2008. How do I join? New teams will begin forming in April through stress-free and fun evaluation sessions. Evaluations for new athletes will begin on April 19, 2008 and for returning athletes on April 21 and 22, 2008. Click here for more information! What can I expect at evaluations? In April, evaluations will be held and broken down into specific age groups. Exact dates and times are listed here. No child will be cut from our program at evaluations. Instead, the evaluation process is used to place athletes accordingly onto the team which is best suited for them. Evaluations are run similarly to a practice and are very laid back and non-intimidating. We will be looking to see all of their skills from stunting ability (either flying or basing), jumps, and tumbling. We will talk athletes through skills that they are unexperienced with. We spend a lot of time talking to the kids and helping them so that they can have the best experience possible. If they do not yet tumble on their own or are hesitant to, we will spot them to help them feel secure. We do our best to make sure that evaluations are fun and rewarding so that each child leaves feeling excited about the upcoming season. Do I already have to know how to tumble to make a team at Victory? What if I don't know how? Although some of our more advanced teams require certain tumbling skills, many of our teams do not. Most cheerleaders in our program have learned all of their tumbling at Victory and you can do the same! We have some of the best tumbling instructors around, and we can teach you how to tumble! What are the requirements to make a team at Victory? THERE ARE NO REQUIREMENTS TO CHEER AT VICTORY. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about an all star gym. There are NO specific skill requirements to be on a team in our gym. Each one of our teams is balanced in an effort to ensure them success within the level they are competing. |