BFCA CHEER
BFCA Cheer was created to provide a positive, safe environment for children to participate and learn the sport of competitive cheer. Our goal is to teach the fundamentals of cheerleading as the basis of both skill and continued progression in a safe and structured environment, while also valuing strong moral character and academic success.
BFCA Cheer strives to align ourselves with the same core values of TCYFL Football, which includes inspiring youth regardless of race, creed or national origin, to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness.
PROGRAMS
We are proud to be part of TCYFL! Our Cheerleading program is broken down by grade, Kindergarten thru eighth grade. The team composition changes from year to year, depending on enrollment figures. Teams for 2019 will depend on enrollment numbers at each grade.
ELIGIBILITY
All girls, ages 5 through 14 (grades KG thru 8th), are eligible to participate in the Cheer program with the exception of those who have graduated from eighth grade or turn age 15 prior to September 1 of the current year.
FOOTBALL GAMES
The 2019 season will see all cheer teams cheering for football games. The girls will be cheering for home games and away games. All home games will be played at the Riverside Brookfield Kennelly Athletic Complex and away games will be located throughout the Chicago suburbs. The girls will cheer in all weather. We will publish the football game schedule as soon as they are available. Plan on a football game every weekend beginning the last weekend in August.
COMPETITIONS
The cheer teams begin practicing their competition routines early in the season. The cheerleaders will participate in a minimum of 2 competitions. These will be a combination of IRCA and independent regional competitions. IRCA competitions are state-qualifiers. First place teams will receive a bid to state and can move on and perform at the IRCA State Competition. The State Competition will be held at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates the first weekend of December.
EXPECTATIONS/ATTENDANCE
Cheer is a team sport. Unlike other sports, if even one girl is not at practice or a game, their entire stunt group has to sit out that day as well. Every cheerleader is an important part of the team and is expected to be committed and respectful of their coaches and teammates. Attending practices and games crucial to the success of the team. Cheerleaders are expected to attend all practices and games both home and away. Each cheer team will be assigned to support one or more fooball teams; if the football team they support goes to the playoffs, the girls will have the opportunity to cheer for the additional games.
ALL LEVELS: Cost: $395 (includes Shell, skirt, crop top, briefs, warm-up jacket and hairbow)* Black warmup leggings and White Competition Shoes are required (fittings will be done when the season begins). Optional cheer bags will be available for purchase.
*$100 deposit check will be held upon return of cheer uniform at the end of the season. At this time, just the shell, crop top, and skirt will need to be returned.
Coaching Opportunities:
Bulldog Football and Cheer Association is a volunteer-based organization. Parents are strongly encouraged to be involved. Anyone interested in head, assistant, or teen coaching with one of the cheer teams this year, please send an email to Sandie Derrig: [email protected].
Head coaches must be at least 21 years old. Assistant coaches must be at least 18 years old. A head coach or assistant coach who is 21 years old or older must be present with the team in order for the team to practice.
You don't need to have a child in cheerleading or have any cheerleading experience – all you need is an enthusiasm and passion to create a positive, confidence-building experience for our cheerleaders, and we will provide the support and tools for your team to succeed!
****BFCA adheres to the 24-hour rule. If you see or hear of something that needs to be addressed with a coach that is not a safety issue, please wait 24 hours after practice or the game to contact or email them.