The Farmington Valley MudHogs Cheerleading program is a member of the AYC (American Youth Cheer) League & YCADA (Youth Cheer & Dance Alliance).

The goal of the AYC is safety in cheerleading. This organization has specific guidelines and safe cheer practice and stunt progressions. All of our coaches are required to complete the YCADA Coaches Course, CPR certification and USA Football Heads Up certification, providing them with Concussion Recognition & Response training. With safety as our goal, we ask that all cheer athletes plan to attend ALL practices and games. Attendance is mandatory because of the nature of cheer group formation and stunting. If one member of a stunt group is absent, the entire group cannot practice together. In fairness to all of the athletes, please do not sign up for cheerleading if you cannot make this commitment.

MudHogs Fall 2023 Cheer Practice Schedule

Starting July 22th:

Where: Farmington High School - Turf field/track. Meet near the Snack Shack.

When: Monday, July 22 - Thursday July 25 for conditioning week for ALL SQUADS. 6-8pm

Practices will continue for the remainder of the weeks before school for Mondays through Thursdays for ALL SQUADS, 6-8pm.

Week of Aug 26th through the end of the season:

***Practices that are typically held on a day that school is closed may be moved to another day (including Friday) of that week, if gym space is available. Please refer to schedule in app.

Where: TBD

Days and Times: TBD (twice per week throughout entire season)

COMPETITIONS:

LOCAL SHOWCASE

CTYFC Competition (Locals)- Details to follow.​

States Competition - Details to follow.

Regionals (depending on placement at States) competition is located outside of CT.

Nationals (depending on placement at Regionals) - approximately 4 days in Kissimmee, FL

WHO CAN JOIN?

Ages are based on July 31st of registration year.

C-Squad:  7 and 8 year olds

B-Squad: 9 and 10 year olds

A-Squad: 11,12 and 13 year olds

Cheerleading Guide

Welcome to all of our new cheerleaders and welcome back to our returning cheerleaders! Each of you has an important role with your squad and we look forward to a great season!

Cheerleading has fast become a “real” athletic sport with much physical activity. We want all of the girls to have a wonderful experience cheering with us in an environment in which everyone is comfortable.

As such, we ask that each cheerleader and parent read the guidelines detailed below. Please keep in mind that these guidelines have been put in place with the safety and cohesiveness of each squad as our top priority. Kindly sign where indicated, detach and return to your Team parent.

All cheerleaders and Jr Demonstrators are REQUIRED to have a complete filled out and signed medical/consent to treat form before they are allowed to practice. The form must be signed by the child's physician and must be current in order for them to participate. The form is located in the documents section of our website.

Please note that safety is our number one priority, therefore parents must refrain from interacting with the squad during outdoor practices. Parents are asked to stay in the stands or near the snack shack. Once we move indoors, parents are asked to drop off and pick up only, please do not enter the building, at pick up, until asked. There will be occasional nights we invite parents in for the last few minutes of practice to see what we have been working on.

Uniforms:
The league will provide each girl in all squads with:
*Cheer skirt, shell, long sleeve body liner, game and competition bow, October bow, competition sneakers and briefs. ***EACH ATHLETE MUST GO TO DANCINGLY YOURS TO BE SIZED FOR SHOES AND BRIEFS BEFORE SPECIFIED CUT OFF DATE. ***

Items you are responsible for providing for your child's uniform:
*Game day white sneakers, no-show white socks (numerous pair recommended),skin-toned undergarments, black hair ties, black gymnastics clips.

Uniforms will not be handed out until all forms have been turned in and registration has been paid.

CHEERLEADERS & PARENTS:
1)For safety purposes, no jewelry is allowed. Rings, bracelets, necklaces, anklets or any type of earrings are not permitted. Please do not wear hair bands, fit bits or watches on wrists.
a)The first time a cheerleader shows up at practice with jewelry she will be spoken to by the team manager/coach.
b)The second time a cheerleader shows up for practice with jewelry the team Manager/coach will speak with the Parent.
c)The third time the cheerleader shows up with jewelry she will be asked to sit down and will not practice or perform depending on whether this is a practice day or game day.
2)Hair should be pulled back in a ponytail for all practices and games. It MUST be kept out of their eyes and off of their shoulders.
3)Please, use bathroom facilities BEFORE arriving to practice.
4)Fingernails should be clipped and filed. NO ARTIFICIAL NAILS.
5)Wear comfortable/appropriate clothing to each practice: T-shirt, shorts, socks, and sneakers. A light jacket or sweatshirt may be necessary for cooler weather. Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended.
6)No bare feet, flip-flops, sandals or slip-on shoes.
7)No lotion on your arms, legs or hands.
8)No gum chewing.
9)No cell phone use/texting during practice or games. Should an emergency arise, inform a Team Mom or Coach immediately.
10)Bring a water bottle to each practice and game. The bottles should contain WATER only. Dispose of all empty bottles in garbage receptacles.
11) Please, be prompt for all practices and games. If delayed, kindly e-mail or call your Team Mom and she will inform the Coaches. Stunt groups and line formations are difficult to alter and girls who arrive late may have to “sit out”.
12)All cheerleaders should respect their teammates and coaches.
13)It is vital for safety purposes that Coaches have each girl’s full attention and that they follow directions at all times. Girls receiving more than two reminders will be asked to “sit out”.
14)Check e-mails on a daily basis for any practice/game updates or inclement weather changes.
15)If during a practice or game there is a sudden weather change, please return immediately to pick up your child.
16)When dropping off your child for practices/games, please make sure you make visual contact with the Team Moms or Coaches so that no one is dropped off without supervision. Please pick your child up from the field or gym at dismissal, directly from the Team parent or coaches. Your children’s safety is very important to us!
17)Please be prompt when returning for pick up as the Team Moms must remain until all girls have left.
18)If your daughter sustains an injury or sudden illness during a practice or game, a Team Mom will notify you immediately. Please make sure your contact information is correct and up-to-date.
19)If your child sustains any type of injury or temporary physical limitation, please advise a Team Manager or Coach prior to practice or game time.
20)If your child has a life-threatening medical condition (bee allergy, etc.) which requires immediate intervention, please remain on hand at practices and games with the proper medication (Epi-pen, etc.).
21)Please do not drop off any siblings or friends during practices or games that will not be supervised by an adult.
22)During games all girls should remain in line formation, focus on the game and await direction from the Coaching staff. There should be no talking or walking around the sidelines.
23) Half-time is less than ten minutes. Squads will be performing during half time once they have their routine. The squad will not be allowed to visit the concession stand during this time.
24)Please DO NOT eat or drink colored juices/sports drinks while in uniform. The fronts of the shells (sleeveless vests) are bright white and stain easily. After games the girls may change or cover their uniforms to eat. Also, please be mindful of the neckline and wrist/arms of the uniforms. It’s very easy to get there areas dirty if not wearing and using a uniform properly.
25)The cheer uniform consists of a skirt, shell, long sleeve body liner, briefs, no show white socks, cheer sneakers and bow which are to be worn to all games. During warmer weather it may not be necessary to wear the long-sleeve; however, that decision will be made on a game-to-game basis by your Team Mom. Always bring it with you and be prepared to put it on, if necessary.
26)**Please wash the skirt and shell with care,  in cold water, and hang to dry. These will be returned to the league at the end of the season.
****Uniforms not returned, ruined or returned not cleaned will be subject to a charge varying from the cost of laundering to the cost of replacing one full uniform.

The MudHogs organization is a self-sufficient entity run solely on a volunteer basis. Every board member, coach and team parent devotes their time to make this league successful. We welcome and encourage all parents to lend a helping hand and ask that everyone respect the dedication of our volunteers. We request that any comments, questions or concerns be directed to either your Cheer Director.

Thank you for your cooperation.

CHEERfully, Your Cheer Director,

Missy Jannetto