Registration

Cheerleading Registration

2026 Spirit Cheerleading Registration

This registration is for the Spirit Team ONLY, K-8 grades (as of September 2026). If you would like to register for the Competition Team Tryouts, do not fill out this form, please click here.

Before registering, please be certain that you have read the Spirit Cheer FAQs.

Fee includes - Field usage/rec fees, supplies, practice t-shirt for all cheerleaders, poms, game bow, safety training for adult coaches/EMT’s, insurance, administrative.

COACHING:

We are always in need of a motivator with a positive attitude and enthusiasm for our athletes and the sport of cheer – aka – a Coach! If you have experience, great! If not, we will give you guidance in coaching your team

to a fun and exciting season! If you are interested, please send us an email at [email protected].

We have put in place additional guidelines this year to make sure every cheerleader registered will have a great season!

Based on past years experiences, we have created a ratio of coach to cheerleaders. If there are not enough coaches registered, we will reassess and determine if there will be a team for the season. Ratios: K-2nd– 1 to 5 / 3rd & 4th- 1 to 8 / 5th to 8th- 1 to 10.

May 15 – Registration closes - After May 15 - $30 Late Fee Applied

If you decide to coach, your expected requirements are as follows:

Obtain Rutgers Youth Safety Certification – email us for more detail.

Mandatory attendance to ONE of the following coaches’ hands on training clinics – May 17 or May 18 – details will be forwarded upon interest.

PRE-SEASON PRACTICE:

Week of August 24 – M, T, W, Th Kinder & 1st 6:00pm-7:30pm 2nd & Up 600pm-8:00pm

Week of August 31 – M, T, W, Th Kinder & 1st 6:00pm-7:30pm 2nd & Up 6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Astor field

WORKBOND:

RYSI will be collecting a $100.00 Work Bond check for all 2026 spirit cheer teams - every athlete, every team.

Checks will be collected first day of practice. We will not be collecting WB online.

Jobs to complete WB obligation will be provided by your coach prior to the start of the season.

Checks are to be forward dated to 12/15/2026 and are due the first day of your team’s practice.

Head coach will authorize completion of all obligation.

See FAQ’s for further detail.

AFTER LABOR DAY PRACTICE:

Practice will be one day a week in the evening from 6:00pm-8:00pm. It will either be Monday or Tuesday, pending field availability. As soon as we know, we will advise.

GAME DAY:

Kind thru 4th grade – Games are on Saturdays. Exact times to be announced. No game will be after Noon.

Grades 5th and up – Games are on Saturdays, with home games at RHS. You will be expected to cheer at away games. We will advise as soon as we know game schedules.

There will be one or two ‘Friday Night Lights’ game on Friday evenings at Lee Field (Ridge High School) for the FLAG teams. All cheer teams will be invited to participate.

HOW MANY TEAMS WILL THERE BE?

Team determination will be based on the numbers of registrants in each grade group and the availability of appropriate coaches.

ARE SPIRIT PRACTICES MANDATORY?

Cheer is a team sport, when the team is not all present it becomes a strain on both the individual cheerleader to catch up and the team in pausing in their advancement. In years past it has been a struggle to have team

cohesiveness with so many absences. For all grades and their individual skill levels, stunting instruction/evaluation and routine placement will take place during the first week of practice in

August. Instruction in cheerleading is progressive and consistent attendance leads to better technique and a reduced risk of injury at all grades!

Attendance to practices and games:

Kinder and 2nd grade – absences are limited to two for the season (August through November)

3rd and up – attendance is mandatory for the season (August through November)

Absences outside these parameters will be discussed with parent, head coach, and RYS Cheer Program Director for decision on continuing in the RYSI Cheer program.

The only excused absences are for religious holiday observance or illness.

Cheerleaders who miss a weekly practice after school begins will forfeit their stunting position for that weeks’ game or upcoming performance. Cheerleaders who miss the pre-game warm up will not be allowed to

stunt in the halftime routine.

END OF SEASON:

FLAG (Kinder-4th) may have games up to Saturday Nov 21.

Tackle Playoffs and championship games for grades 5th grade and up continue through and include the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 28) and cheerleaders will be expected to participate.

Game times and locations will vary depending on the grade.

We are requesting that no year-end celebration is scheduled until after your games have been played.

UNIFORMS:

Uniform Day is Saturday May 16, 2026 – details will be sent to all registrants.

We will have a RESALE of previously owned / gently used uniforms.

Details of resale will be forwarded to all registrants.

Cost of Uniform and accessories - See FAQ.

Extra set of poms $40.00 (New Cheerleaders to the program will be given a set of poms. This option is for anyone who needs a set because theirs is lost or damaged.)

CHEERFEST:

Sunday October 11, 2026, will be our annual Cheerfest. Attendance is mandatory for ALL TEAMS.

Please schedule 8:00am to 1:00pm open for that day.

We would like to have a parent cheer team perform at Cheerfest. If you are interested, please select YES in the registration form.

There will be 3 evening practices between Sept and Cheerfest.

Details to follow for those interested.

REFUNDS:

Registration fee is REFUNDABLE based on schedule included in the FAQs. :

Uniform Fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.

If you have a financial hardship and would like to apply for financial assistance for the program fees only, please request a Financial Aid/Payment Plan Application by emailing [email protected].