Saratoga Pop Warner Cheer 2023



What to expect:

Saratoga Pop Warner provides the opportunity for children ages 3-13 to participate in our cheerleading program. Our cheerleaders learn lifelong skills such as commitment, teamwork, dedication, and responsibility all while learning the sport of cheerleading.

Cheerleading Teams and Ages:

NEW this year: Sideline Cheer-Sideline cheer is a great way for new cheerleaders to learn the fundamentals of cheer or for cheerleaders who cannot commit to the
competition cheer schedule. At practice, girls will learn cheer motions, sideline cheers tumbling, jumps and learn a small halftime routine.

Practice will be once a week on Tuesdays from 6-7:30 and the team will cheer at football games for their corresponding team either Saturday or Sundays, Game schedules are TBD and will be posted once finalized. Additionally, the team will be invited to attend a cheer competition as spectators to watch the competition teams and see what competitions are like.

 Competition Cheer-The Competition Cheer season will run through March 1, 2024. Cheerleaders are required to attend practice 4 days a week through Labor Day and then 3 practices a week from September-March, cheer at football games on either Saturday or Sunday from mid-September through mid-October and compete at qualifying competitions and winter competitions.

Junior Tiny Mites-Junior Tiny Mites is for children ages 3-4. The child must be 3 by August 1, 2023. Junior Tiny Mites will practice on Tuesdays from 6-7:30 for 8 weeks and compete as an exhibition team at the Capital District Competition.

Depending on demand, the following teams may be available for sideline and competition cheer. On teams that have an age range, it is highly encouraged to go to
the younger team unless the child has previous experience. Returning cheerleaders should move up team by team and not skip a level. Final team placement is at SSPW Board discretion.

o Tiny Mite: Ages 5-7, must be 5 by July 31, 2023
o Mighty Mite: Ages 7-9, must be 7 by July 31, 2023
o Junior Pee Wee: Ages 8-11, must be 8 by July 31, 2023
o Pee Wee: Ages 9-12, must be 9 by July 31, 2023
o Junior Varsity: Ages 10-13, must be 10 by July 31, 2023



Dates and Times:

 Sideline Cheer-: August 1, 2023-October 2023
o Tuesdays 6-7:30 pm through Labor Day
o After Labor Day time change day of week TBD: Practice 6-7:30 pm
o Football games: Saturday or Sunday, Schedule TBA in September

 Competition Cheer: August 1, 2023-March 1, 2024
o Monday-Thursday: Practice 6-8 pm
o After Labor Day Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: Practice 6-7:30 pm
o Football games: Saturday or Sunday, Schedule TBA in September

 Junior Tiny Mites- August 8, 2023-December 2023
o Tuesday Practice 6-7:30 pm through Labor Day
o After Labor Day Tuesday Practice 6-7:30 pm

Per coaches’ preference JTM may practice two nights a week at one hour to help them adjust and remember routine week to week.

Location:

August-Mid September: East Side Rec, Saratoga Springs
Mid-September-February: TBD


Competition Schedule for Competition Teams only:
It is required that cheerleaders attend all competitions.

 Capital District, Schenectady-October TBD
 Empires, Clifton Park-October TBD
 Eastern Regionals, Trenton, NJ- (if qualify at Capital District)-TBD
 Nationals, Orlando, Fl- (if qualify at Eastern Regionals)-early December.
 Winter Competitions (3-5 additional competitions)-locations and dates TBD


What to Wear:

 Practice: Athletic clothing as appropriate

 Games: To be determined by team’s coach

 Competitions: Uniform, Bow, Cheer sneakers and anything else requested by team’s coach

Uniforms:

Each child will be measured within the first two weeks of August and payment will be due at that time. All cheerleaders must attend!

Approximate Cheer Costs:

These are all estimated costs, which are subject to change with the best interest and safety ofvthe children, parents, and the Saratoga Pop Warner organization in mind.

Sideline Cheer and Junior Tiny Mites:

Registration: $80

Bow Package: $15 (includes game bow and pink October game bow)

White Sneakers: $30-$75 (to be worn at games and practices held indoors only)

Uniform Deposit for sideline: $100 (this will be given back once uniform is returned in same condition as received)

Uniform cost for JTM: $30-$50

Warm up jacket: $50-$75 (optional)


Competition Cheer:

Registration: $200

Bow Package: $25 (includes game bow and competition bow)

White Sneakers: $30-$75 (to be worn at games and practices indoors only)

Uniform: $225 approx. Final Cost TBD. There will be a fundraising option for this! The
uniform will be the same for a min. of two years, buy back option will be in the works to
also help reduce cost.

Cheer Competition Costs for Competition Teams only:

Capital District: No additional costs for cheerleaders, spectator tickets range from $20-
$40, optional tee shirts for purchase at event: $20

Empires: No additional costs for cheerleaders, spectator tickets range from $20-$40,
optional tee shirts for purchase at event: $20

Eastern Regional, if qualify personal travel accommodations (it is recommended all cheerleaders travel with their families the night before the competition and stay at the hotel blocked by their coaches, spectator tickets $20-$40, pictures on average $10-$20 per cheerleader, optional tee shirts for purchase at event $20

Nationals, if qualify: Pop Warner’s RERQUIRED travel package (includes hotel stay, spectator tickets, transportation from hotel to competition and two tickets to Sea World) ~$1,000/person, flights/travel costs, pictures on average$10-$20 per cheerleader, optional tee shirts for purchase at event $20

Winter Competitions-travel and spectator costs TBD

Additional Required Deposit Checks: checks will not be cashed unless a task is not
completed

 $50 check – Pom Pom deposit-to ensure pom poms are returned in the same condition
received for both sideline and competition.

 $50 check – Concession check-an adult from each family is required to work a shift in
the concession stand for both sideline and competition.

 Two, $100 checks -Fundraising-there are two required, $100 fundraisers for the

Saratoga Pop Warner Program (Only one required for Sideline)

Competition Team Additional Fundraising Options:

There will be additional fundraising options for the competition team to assist with uniform and competition costs. SSPW’ board will lead fundraising options, but it will be the option of each family to participate and in return receive funds from the fundraisers.

Questions, comments, or concerns please contact your Cheer Coordinator:
Amber Gailor 518-951-5674 or [email protected]