fall cheer faqs
Q – When does registration begin? When does it end?
A – Registration will be open mid-late January. Registration will close depending on participant counts. We do not typically accept registration for cheer past June 15th.
Q – What ages can cheer with the Bulldogs?
A – Our cheer program can accept cheerleaders ages 3.5 through 13.
Q - How / Where do I register?
A – Registrations through the Sports Connect site.
Find out more registration information HERE
Q – How is it determined which team my cheerleader will participate?
A – Cheer teams are based on the cheerleader’s age on August 1st. The team will be determined based on the Pop Warner National Age matrix along with a skill assessment and the availability on a team. The full Pop Warner Age matrix can be accessed here: https://www.popwarner.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1476223
Q – When does the Fall Season Start?
A - August 1st
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 $425. Junior Tiny Mite Registration is $225. 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 2024 keychain for their backpack. All other teams will receive a practice uniform & bow, sideline uniform & bow, competition top, makeup & bow, and a 2024 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 August are Monday through Friday 6:00-8:00 pm. After Labor Day, 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: The local Cheer Competition (Cheer Jam) is in October and is usually in Palmetto or Tampa. For the competitive teams (TM & above), If you place 1st or 2nd you will then move on to the Regional competition which is Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando. If you place 1st or 2nd at Regionals, then the next and final competition is at The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. There will be an overnight stay required at both Regional and National competitions. Cheerleaders will continue to have M, T, Th practice until competitions have been completed.
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 $500 dollars, this will be held and returned when your 10 hours is 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 Southeast Pop Warner Cheer training as well as 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 2023 Fall Season only.
Incentives Include:
- Coaches Shirt
- Coach Training & Certification Expense Covered
- Competition Hotel Expense Covered
- $100 OFF Your Child’s Registration Fee
Please fill out the Cheer Coach Application if you are interested.
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.