GCM Cheerleading Information Packet 2015 - Varsity Head Coach - Taylor Ohrwashel Varsity Assistant Coach - Whitney Edney

GCM Cheerleading
Information Packet
      2015
  Varsity Head Coach – Taylor Ohrwashel
          tmohrwashel@fcps.edu
 Varsity Assistant Coach – Whitney Edney
           JV Head Coach – Lisa McDonald
 JV Assistant/Freshman Head Coach – Taylor Dailey

        Tumbling Coach – Lamont Womack

GCM Cheerleading Information 2015
    Thank you for your interest in GCM Cheerleading for the Fall 2015 season! This packet

 contains information necessary to ensure a successful tryout, season, and experience. It is

  important that both athlete and parent read this information thoroughly and are willing to

   commit 100% before choosing to continue with tryouts and joining a high school sport.

 Cheerleading is a sport in Virginia and all athletes are required to adhere to the rules of the

 coaching staff, athletic department, school and The Virginia High School League (VHSL). If

     there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the head coach, Taylor

            Ohrwashel, GCMarshallcheer@gmail.com or tmohrwashel@fcps.edu

                                  Thank you and Good Luck!

                                Tryout Information
WHEN- Registration for tryouts will be at 1pm on Monday, August 3rd. Tryouts will be held

Monday, August 3rd, from 1pm am to 5pm, Tuesday, August 4th from 10 am-2pm, and

Wednesday, August 5th beginning at 11 am, with the judged portion beginning on

Wednesday. We will have a ½ hour lunch break on Tuesday, August 4th.

WHERE- Auxiliary Gym

HOW TO DRESS- Athletes should wear athletic shorts, cheer shoes or other sneakers with a soft

sole, sports bra (for women), and a form-fitting tank top or t-shirt. Long hair should be up in a

ponytail and out of the face. Nails need to be cut so that they are not past the fingertip and

ABSOLUTELY NO jewelry allowed. On the last day of tryouts (Wednesday, August 5th) you

must wear BLACK SHORTS AND A PLAIN WHITE SHIRT.

WHAT TO BRING-

   1) Sport Physical – this must be handed in to the athletic trainer BEFORE coming to the

      first day of tryouts. Paperwork must be dated after May 1st, 2015.

   2) Emergency Care Card – please bring 3 copies

   3) GCM Cheer Guidelines Acknowledgement – this must be signed by student-athlete

      and a parent/guardian.

   4) Social Media Contract – this must be signed by student-athlete and a

      parent/guardian.

   5) Tryout Interview Questions – This must be completed. You may write or type your

      answers.

   6) Concussion Education- All student AND parents must complete a concussion

      education course online before the student may be allowed to participate in any

      sport. ATHLETES MAY NOT PARTICIPATE UNTIL BOTH THE STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLETE

      THE COURSE!

   7) Athletes should bring lots of water!! A ½ hour will be permitted for lunch on

      Wednesday; students may bring a lunch or leave campus.

REQUIREMENTS- The coaching staff is looking for athletes who strive to improve both their own

skills and their team’s. A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND A STRONG LEVEL OF COMMITMENT ARE

REQUIRED FOR ALL LEVELS. Athletes interested in cheering for the competition varsity team

must display strong motion technique, proper jump form, and the ability to

base/backspot/fly a single legged stunt. Athletes must also possess strength and endurance.

Coaches are looking for tumbling skills. These are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Each team will

be comprised of the athletes with the highest scores and formed based on the number of

stunting positions required for each team. The Varsity team will have about 20 athletes. The

JV team will have up to 20 athletes and the Freshman squad will have up to 16 athletes.

FORMAT- TRYOUTS ARE CLOSED!!! This means that others (parents, siblings, friends, etc.) may

not observe! Throughout tryouts, athletes will be taught a variety of sideline chants, cheers,

stunts, jumps, tumbling skills, and dances. Athletes WILL perform in groups in front of a judging

panel on Wednesday, August 5th. The coaches will also evaluate skills, attitude and progress

throughout the week!

SCORING- The judges will assess the athletes on the following: Motions, Jumps, Spirit and

Facials, Dance, Tumbling, and attitude. Scores will only be viewed by coaches. They will not

be released to ANYONE.

TEAM SELECTION – Only the top athletes who meet the requirements will be selected for the

Varsity, JV, and Freshman teams.

PARENT MEETING- If selected for a squad, at least one parent must attend GCM’s Meet The

Coaches Night.

LETTERING – Cheerleaders who are a member of the Varsity squad will receive a letter at the

completion of the season. This does not include alternates from JV or Freshman.

                                        Apparel
After tryouts, cheerleaders will be required to purchase apparel to be worn to practice and

 games. This includes shoes, briefs, practice shirts, practice shorts, hair bows, and warm-ups.

   The cost of the spirit pack will be between $300 and $400. Most ordering will be done

    individually through an online store. There will be optional spirit wear items available.

                                     Fundraising
 All cheerleaders are required to participate in various fundraising activities throughout the

 school year. Failure to participate in fundraising may result in disciplinary action up to and

    including dismissal from the squad. Funds are used to purchase new uniforms, bows,

        competition signs, and other items that are needed throughout the season.

Practice and Schedule
 Practices are mandatory for all team members! Attendance will be taken at the beginning

of every practice. AGAIN, ALL ATHLETES MUST ATTEND PRACTICE!! Failure to attend practice

or attend practice at the appropriate time will result in consequences. Consequences could

    include extra conditioning, sitting at a game, removal from a competition routine, or

     removal from the cheerleading program. Calendars will be available after tryouts.

    Expected Commitments (Subject to Change)
The Varsity team will practice Monday-Thursday from 5-8 pm. There will be games on Friday

 nights. There will be practices on most Saturday mornings. The Varsity team will compete.

 The JV team will practice after school around 3 times per week. They will have games on

  Thursday nights. The JV team will be required to attend all Varsity home games. The JV

                    team will compete and attend Varsity competitions.

The Freshman team will practice 2 times per week. They will have games on Thursday nights.

  The Freshman team will be required to attend all Varsity home games and competitions.