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Why All-Star Cheerleading/History

PRIDE, established in 2002, strives to create a fun and positive environment while remaining highly competitive in the cheerleading world.
 
From soccer and dance to piano, karate and many others, there is no shortage of extra-curricular activities from which kids can choose their preference. There is one athletic activity, however, that has exploded in popularity over the past 10 years, and has evolved into a sport in its own right. With it’s disciplined focus, structured training and a good bit of fun mixed in, all-star cheerleading can be the perfect outlet for active kids.
 
WHAT IS ALL-STAR CHEERLEADING?
Different from school cheerleaders who exist to support athletic teams and serve as school ambassadors, all-star cheerleaders train at gyms to learn cheerleading, gymnastics and dance skills for the purpose of performing and competing. They don’t cheer for an athletic team; they are the athletic team. There are more than 4000 all-star cheerleading gyms with an estimated 700,000 plus participants nationwide.
All-Star cheerleading not only teaches cheer, dance and tumbling skills, it also instills self-discipline and self-confidence, improves listening skills, introduces the importance of teamwork and encourages an active, healthy lifestyle. Through competition, participants learn life lessons of winning and losing gracefully and good sportsmanship.
 
 
BUT IS CHEERLEADING SAFE?
With the recent media coverage of the risk of injury in cheerleading, some parents are concerned about enrolling their children in the activity. As cheerleading has evolved into more of a sport than just an activity, the industry as a whole has set as its primary concern the safety of its participants. For this reason, the United Sates All-Star Federation (USASF) was created as a governing body in 2003 by a consortium of leading cheerleading and dance companies to standardize safety, training, coaching and competing guidelines. Through the USASF, coaches earn credentialing to coach at various levels, participants earn credentialing to participate at a difficulty level that matches their abilities, and companies meet certain requirements to have their competitions and events officially sanctioned. By training at a USASF member gym and competing at USASF sanctioned events, parents can be confident that their children are participating in the safest possible learning environment.
 
ALL-STAR CHEERLEADING IN DALLAS/FT. WORTH
PRIDE of Carrollton, TX, is a great example of how all-star cheerleading is growing versatile athletes and responsible young adults. Entering its 10th competitive season, PRIDE is one of the most successful all-star cheerleading programs in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. The program has earned prestigious national champion titles, has been featured in cheerleading magazines as a top all-star program, and has
appeared in multiple cheer competition telecasts. Founder, owner and head coach, Jason Dollar has been
named as one of all-star cheerleading’s “Most Influential” people by American Cheerleader magazine. “Our
mission is to provide parents and athletes with a supportive, encouraging and family-style environment,”
says Jason. “We train hard, have a lot of fun, and make it our goal to coach every child to be the best
athlete they can possibly be. It’s very rewarding to watch them not only improve their athletic ability, but also
mature into dependable, accountable teammates.”
With classes and teams open for ages younger than five through 19 and ability levels from beginner through advanced, there is a place for most anyone interested in participating in all-star cheerleading at PRIDE. And, all-star cheerleading is not just for girls. Because of its athletic focus and incorporation of gymnastics and stunting, all-star cheerleading is attracting more and more boys as participants. For information, please visit www.theprideallstars.com, e-mail info@theprideallstars.com or call 972-248-3755.
 
2011 – 2012 Evaluation/Tryout Information Packet
For general information regarding PRIDE, please contact us at info@theprideallstars.com or call Jason or Matt at 972-248-3755. For Billing and Account information please contact us at billing@theprideallstars.com or 972-248-3755.
 
Competitive Cheerleading Overview:
As a member of a competitive cheerleading team, you must be committed to both the program and to every other member of your team. This is the only sport where an absence of one athlete can affect the entire team, whether at a practice or a performance. 100% participation is necessary to become successful. The All-Star cheerleading season typically begins in the spring and is a year round sport. Competition season begins in November and ends in April.
 
Practices/Absences policies and procedures:
  1. All practices are mandatory. No unexcused absences will be allowed. Excused absences are as follows:
    • Mandatory school functions (These will be verified with school administration and teachers if we feel someone is being dishonest)
    • Death in the family
    • Contagious illness
    • Excessive excused absences will be cause for removal.
    • Any absence 14 days prior to any Championship will be cause to remove that athlete from the upcoming Championship. NO EXCEPTIONS
    • Due to the NCA All-Star National Championship, no absences will be allowed in the month of February.
    • All championships are mandatory for all team members.
    • Vacations in the summer are excused, but athletes may be moved to different teams/levels due to inactivity and attendance at practice.
  2. Tardiness: Excessive tardiness will be cause for removal or alternate status. We allow a 15-minute window for traffic and other unforeseen incidents. Your family will be contacted if your athlete is not at practice after the 15-minute window.
  3. Contacting the gym: In the event that you need to be excused from a practice make sure and contact the gym in writing one week prior to the absence. You may email info@theprideallstars.com and someone will return your email promptly. If there is an emergency, and you need to miss a practice the day of the emergency, please call and email both.
  4. Practice Clothes: Every member of PRIDE is required to wear specific practice clothes to each practice. You are also responsible to keep up with and maintain the clothing in a proper manner. If an athlete comes to practice without the required clothing, the coach may send that athlete home. If any garment is lost, replacement is at the cost of the family.
 
Holidays:
The following is a list of holidays and gym closings recognized by The PRIDE All- Stars. The specific closing dates will be released at the beginning of the appropriate month. (Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and Easter)
Other religious holidays are recognized.
 
Fees and Competition Schedule:
Monthly tuition must be paid on time to remain a team member of The PRIDE All- Stars. Monthly tuition includes all scheduled practices, open gym and a portion of the competition fees. Please refer to the tuition fee schedule for pricing. Parents of each member of PRIDE will be required to place a credit or debit card on file for automatic payment. THIS IS A ONE-YEAR COMMITMENT. Tuition is charged the first of every month and is NOT pro-rated for any reason. Tuition is non-refundable. Declined credit cards may be subject to a fee. Families with 3 siblings in the program will receive a discount of $55 for their third child.
 
PRIDE competition schedule will NOT be released until ALL championship companies have released their championship dates. Teams may travel one time each season. All travel expenses are the sole responsibility of the athlete’s family. All teams will attend a maximum of 1 regional championship, 5 national championships and either the International All-Level Championship, the US finals or the Cheerleading Worlds. On May 1st, a $300 competition fee down payment will be required. The rest of the competition fees are included in your monthly tuition. Athletes that join the program after May 1st will be required to make up any difference in competition fees. Fee Schedule: Any athlete that attends evaluations in April and commits to being a member of PRIDE will receive FREE tuition for May and June. Monthly tuition and your competition/choreography/music fee balance will then be charged to the credit card on file for 10 months beginning July 1st. The breakdown is as follows: Monthly tuition - $155.00 Competition/choreography/music fee balance - $50.00 Total monthly charge $205.00
 
Additional Fees: Additional fees will include some or all of the following. If any athlete quits or is removed from his or her team prior to receiving any part of their uniform and/or clothing or prior to a competition they WILL forfeit those articles and/or fees. You WILL NOT receive a refund!
 
  1. Uniform and Practice Clothes - $395.00
    • The uniform will consist of a top (Full length for age appropriate athletes), skirt with built in briefs and a hair bow
    • Practice clothes will consist of two t-shirts and two pairs or shorts
  2. Warm Up – $125.00 (Optional)
  3. Shoes – $75.00 - We will do one shoe fitting. Following that, shoes can be ordered through www.spiritinnovations.com.
 
Practice Schedule and Calendars:
Each team’s hours and days of practice will be determined specifically by the team’s age, level, and need. The specific days and times will be released following tryouts each year. You will receive a monthly calendar via email 1 week prior to the first of every month with all practice days and times. Practice days and times are subject to change. Extra practices will be scheduled two weeks prior to each championship. Athletes are required to be at every practice 14 days prior to each championship. Refer to the practices/absences policy above for more detailed information. *Please note all practice schedules are tentative and are subject to change at anytime within the season. Practice schedules change to ensure full squad participation.
 
 
Additional Classes and/or Privates:
Team members are encouraged to take extra tumbling classes and/or private lessons to master current skills and develop new skills throughout the year. All-Star members receive a $15.00 per month discount on all classes, a $5.00 discount on each private lesson and you are able to attend open gym for free.
 
Special Needs Program:
PRIDE is starting a special needs program. This is an opportunity to encourage life and movement through a sensational sport. Special Needs Athletes benefit from their time together at practice and their work improving themselves. Not only do they stimulate their social and motor skills but also the thrill of performance is a special memory to all of us.
USASF definition of Special Needs: Intellectual disability: 1. A condition characterized by impairment of skills and overall intelligence in areas such as cognition, language, and motor and social abilities as identified by an agency or professional, or 2. A cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures such as intelligent quotient testing or other measures that are generally accepted within the professional community.
 
Evaluation Information:
At evaluation, each athlete will have the opportunity to select what skill level/s they would like to be considered in the 2011-2012 competitive season. This does not mean every athlete will receive their requested level however we will do our best to place every athlete in a situation where their talent can thrive. Below is a list of the levels with the minimum tumbling skills that are associated with each level. Tumbling alone does not dictate which level each athlete will be placed. The athletes overall abilities, including jumps, motion technique and stunt experience will also be a factor.
Level 1-The only requirement is the desire to learn. Level 2 - Standing back handspring, round-off back handspring Level 3 – Standing back handspring series, round off back tuck, round off back handspring back tuck Level 4 - Standing back handspring back tuck, standing back tuck, round-off three back handspring to back tuck. Experience with layouts. Level 5 – Triple Toe back, round-off back handspring full, experience with standing twisting skills ***Athletes that meet the minimum tumbling requirement may not be placed on that level. Other factors will be taken into consideration*** Please note that a more extensive practice schedule will be associated with level 5. Level 5 will also be required to travel.
Athlete Evaluation (Tryout) Description
A member of our coaching staff will evaluate each athletes tumbling and jumping abilities. Every athlete will be placed in a level. Teams will then be formed based on the number of athletes in each level as well as their ages. You will not be required to learn any material. For new athletes, you can wear a t-shirt, short and tennis shoes.
 
PRIDE annual financial commitment
 
Evaluation/Registration Fee
$35.00
Competition/Choreography/Music Fee Deposit
$300.00
Monthly Tuition ($155 tuition and $50 fees) *10 Months
$2,050.00
Uniform and practice clothes
$395.00
Total:
All-Star Gym Cougar Cheer annual financial commitment
$2,780.00
Competition/Choreography/Music/Coaches fees
$1,440.00
Monthly Tuition (12 months)
$2,280.00
Required Summer Camp
$195.00
Required intense training camp
$195.00
Uniform and practice clothes
$675.00
Total: Cheer Athletics annual financial commitment
$4,785.00
Tryout fee
$60.00
Monthly tuition (12 months) - Includes competition fees
$3,348.00
Practice clothes
$150.00
Uniform
$350.00
Total: Pro Spirit annual financial commitment
$3,908.00
Tryout fee
$75.00
Monthly tuition (12 months)
$2,280.00
Competition fees
$750.00
Choreography/music fees
$200.00
Total: Express Cheer annual financial commitment
$3,305.00
Level 1 athletes
$2,965.00
Level 2 and 3 athletes
$3,185.00
Level 4 and 5 athletes
$3,395.00
Envy Cheer annual financial commitment
Registration fee
$40.00
Monthly tuition (12 months)
$1,680.00
Practice clothes
$75.00
Uniform
$300.00
Competition Fees
$800.00
Choreography Fees
$125.00
Warm ups
$140.00
Total:
$3,160.00