fall cheer faqs
Q – When does registration begin? When does it end?
A – Registration will be open April 1st. Registration will close depending on participant counts. We do not typically accept registration for cheer past June 1st.
Q – What ages can cheer with the Bulldogs?
A – Our cheer program can accept cheerleaders ages 3.5 through 14.
Q - How / Where do I register?
Q – How is it determined which team my cheerleader will participate?
A – Cheer teams are based on the cheerleader’s age on July 15th. The team will be determined based on an age matrix along with a skill assessment and the availability on a team.
Q – When does the Fall Season Start?
A - July 15th
Q - Where are you located?
A – We are located at the rear of Lakewood Ranch Park, 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. If you turn heading west on Malachite Drive off of Lakewood Ranch Blvd, we are toward the end of the road and you can see our building on the south side of Malachite and Mustang Alley intersection.
Q – How much is registration?
A – Registration is $450. Junior Tiny Mite Registration is $250. We offer a sibling discount of $25 for each child after the first registrant.
Q – What do I get with my registration?
A – What is received will depend on which team. Junior Tiny Mite will receive a practice uniform & bow, sideline uniform & bow, competition makeup & bow, and a 2026 keychain for their backpack. All other teams will receive a practice uniform & bow, sideline uniform & bow, competition top, makeup & bow, and a 2026 keychain for their backpack. New cheerleaders will be required to purchase the new cheerleader package which includes a backpack and cover shirt.
Q - When are practices?
A – Practices during the month of July and August are Monday through Friday 6:00-8:00 pm. After conditioning hours are met, practices are reduced to three days a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Junior Tiny Mite practices 1-2 times per week from 6:00-7:00 pm. Practice day TBD.
Q – Do you ever practice other than Monday through Friday?
A – Yes, sometimes due to rainouts during the month of August, we may practice on a Saturday or Sunday.
Q – When/Where are the games played?
A – The games are played on Saturdays in the Tampa Bay area. We play teams in Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and DeSoto Counties. The fields are typically no more than 75 minutes away from our home field. The first game (Tiny Mites) begins at 9:00am and the games are played every two hours throughout the day. Junior TIny Mite sideline cheers at home games only.
Q – How many games are there and how long does the season typically last?
A – Regular Season: There are 8 or 9 regular season games which usually run through the end of October. We usually have four or five home games and the rest are away. Junior TIny Mite sideline cheers at home games only.
Post Season: After the regular season games are over, there are Conference playoffs for the teams with the best record in their division. If a team wins the Conference Championship, they then go on to play in the Regional playoffs, and if they continue to win, at the end is the Regional Championship game. As long as post season games do not interfere with cheerleading competitions, cheerleaders will attend post season games to sideline cheer.
Cheer Competitions: All cheer teams will participate in Cheer Jam, a local competition. From there, teams may advance to Regionals and Nationals based on performance. Competitive cheer teams will also participate in 1–2 additional competitions throughout the season. Competitions typically begin in mid-October and, depending on advancement, can run through early December. Cheer teams will continue practicing until all competitions are complete. Participation in competitions is required.
Please note: Regional competition is held in Orlando over Thanksgiving and will require an overnight stay. Nationals are held in North Carolina and will also require an overnight stay.
Junior Tiny Mite will participate in Cheer Jam only, as an exhibition team.
Q – What paperwork is required?
A – ● Original Certified Birth Certificate* (Not needed for prior year returners)
*We will copy the birth certificate and return the original to you.
● Current Year Player/Participant Contract
● Current Year Medical/Physical Form
● Current School Year Report Card (All 4 Qtrs)
● Current Year Code of conduct
● Volunteer check - in the amount of $600 dollars, this will be held and returned when your minimum hours are fulfilled. If your hours are not fulfilled, the check will be cashed.
Q - Are there any additional costs involved during the season?
A- EMB is a non-profit organization, and in order to keep costs down we do fundraisers throughout the year. There may be some additional costs but we will fundraise to hopefully cover extra costs to make sure our cheerleaders have the proper equipment, uniforms, and cover competition fees throughout the season
Q – How can I find out about important upcoming dates and events?
A – We post all our upcoming events including paperwork turn-ins, uniform fittings, equipment handout, coach meet & greets, etc. on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/EastManateeBulldogspw
We also have a calendar on our website where we will add important dates: https://eastmanateebulldogs.com/upcoming-dates
Q – Do your cheer coaches receive any formal training?
A – Yes, all of our cheer coaches receive the online YCADA (Youth Cheer & Dance Alliance) training. If you are interested in Head or Assistant Coaching this season, we are offering an incentive program for the 2026 Fall Season.
Incentives Include:
- Coaches Shirt
- Coach Training & Certification Expense Covered
- Competition Hotel Expense Covered
- $50 OFF Your Child’s Registration Fee
Please reach out to our cheer coordinator if you are interested, cheer@eastmanateebulldogs.com
Q – Are your volunteers background screened?
A – Yes, all of our coaches, board members, and team parents must pass a FDLE as well as a Multistate Criminal and Sex Offender background screen before they are allowed to fill their volunteer role.