RULES, REGULATIONS & HELPFUL INFORMATION

1.  RGYC CODE OF CONDUCT:

As with any organized sport, Raynham has a Code of Conduct which all athletes, parents and guardians are required to follow. Conduct that reflects poorly on any Raynham team, cheerleader or the organization as a whole reflects truly poor choices and is subject to discipline. We hold the bar high for our athletes, parents and guardians and we expect the following behavior:

Cooperative and positive participation - no general misconduct or disruption before, during or after practice, games, competition or any other organized Raynham Giants activity.

Absolute respect for all - no inciting and/or engaging in un-sportsman-like conduct whether directed at other teams, athletes, coaches, student coaches, officers, teams from other towns, competition directors, etc. This includes use of abusive or profane language or gestures.

Absolutely no smoking, drinking or drugs – this will NOT be tolerated at any time or any place – whether at an organized Giants event or NOT.

Making good choices and using common sense - any activity not mentioned above but is deemed by coaches or members of the Giants Board of Directors to be inappropriate, disrespectful or detrimental to the athletes, coaches, parents, guardians or program will be subject to discipline. When a cheerleader is in an Giants uniform, behavior should be exemplary and reflect respect for self and others.

NO BACKYARD STUNTING – meaning NO stunting anywhere there is NOT coach supervision. 

Social Media - Cheerleaders are to conduct themselves in a way that is a positive representation of the Giants and Raynham. This applies to social media behavior in and out of season. Inappropriate postings that speak negatively towards teammates, coaches, student coaches, other athletes or Giants cheer will be considered a serious code violation. 

Parents or guardians will not cause a negative environment by participating in negative discussions, bullying or harassment. This includes speaking in person, or via game changer in a negative way to our board members, and coaches. 

2.  DISCIPLINE FOR CODE VIOLATIONS:

Giants cheer take these codes very seriously and violations are subject to discipline as follows:

First Violation: One game benching for athletes. Athletes must come to the game dressed in uniform, sit attentively on the sidelines and conduct themselves appropriately.  If a parent or guardian violates a code, they will receive a written warning or suspension from an event, depending on the severity of the violation.

Second Violation: Removed from program.

3. FUNDAMENTAL GIANTS PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS:

Cheerleaders must live in Raynham, and be in 1st  – 8th grade.

Cheerleader must meet all attendance requirements throughout the season. 

Family must fulfill fundraising requirements.

Parents must attend any mandatory meetings.

4.  CHEERLEADING SEASON REQUIREMENTS:

All cheerleaders must participate in all Choreography, Practices, Games, required Giants events, Competitions and tumbling classes. Any cheerleader having to miss any portion of this schedule must inform head coaches for special consideration. 

Mandatory Choreography: All teams will learn techniques, skills and competition routine.  If your athlete is missing then they run the risk of being placed in nonessential areas of the routine.

Summer Practice: Summer practice for all teams begin  the beginning of August on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 – 7 pm. Practice is outside and location TBD.

September – November: Practice moves inside (times, gym and days to be determined by school administration). Teams continue to practice three times a week and practice days and times are staggered in order to accommodate all teams. Extra practices may be scheduled closer to competition dates.

Football Season: The football season begins in September and can run into November with playoff games and the Superbowl game. Games are once a week and generally held on Sunday. For away games parents are responsible for coordinating their own suitable transportation, Giants cheer is not responsible. Game times with dates and locations will be posted on the team Game changer once available. Parents will be notified of changes by email and postings on game changer and facebook.

Competition: Raynham, Youth Cheerleading participates in three competitions in November.  The competitions are usually held the first 3 Saturday of November.

5. ATTENDANCE POLICY:

With the exception of religious holidays, sports tryouts, illness or severe injury, Giants have implemented a firm 3 absence policy. Past 3 absences parents will need to speak with head coaches, and board members. Potential outcomes of petitions could include approval, suspension or removal.

Attendance at choreography is mandatory and supersedes this 3 absence policy. If an athlete will miss any part of these, they could be removed from the team.

Should an injury or extended illness impact a cheerleader’s ability to participate fully in Giants practices/games/ competitions or the like, a medical release form will be required prior to returning as a full participant.

Depending on the type of injury, athletes are required to attend practice so they may keep up on any new sideline cheer or routine rearrangements.

Depending on the type of injury, cheerleaders must come to games dressed in uniform, sit attentively on the sidelines and conduct themselves appropriately.

With the exception of illness, severe injury (ie a concussion) or religious holiday, no absence from a game is considered excused.

The Giants attendance policy reflects the fact that cheerleading must be a priority. This commitment is integral to the Giants commitment of the success and safety for each athlete. Cheerleading is a TEAM sport which includes tumbling, pyramids and stunts and can only be done and done safely if each member of the team can rely on consistency and effort of the other.

6. PRACTICE RULES AND ATTIRE:

Athletes must wear cheerleading shoes at all practices. No athlete will be allowed to practice without these shoes.

Athletes may not wear nylon shorts or anything with drawstrings, pockets or decoration which could catch a hand or foot. 

No jewelry is allowed (which includes stud earrings – there can be no exceptions for athletes just having their ears pierced). Nails must be trimmed and not extend over the top of the fingers. Hair must be held back in a ponytail. Every requirement mentioned above is due to safety factors.  Bandaids over jewelry is not allowed.

Athletes must arrive 5 minutes early and be picked up directly after. Attendance will be taken at the start of each practice and any unavoidable absence must be reported to the team coach prior to that day’s practice.

Any injury must be immediately reported to the coach. Absolutely no siblings, friends, parents or companions are allowed at practice once moved indoors.

No gum chewing.

No cell phone use.

Athletes must come to practice with water or Gatorade to prevent dehydration. It is suggested they also wear sunscreen as appropriate and bring bug spray.

7. GAME RULES AND ATTIRE:

The Giants uniform consists Top, skirt, jackets, yoga pants, cheer shoes, bow, and no-show white socks. Uniforms are expected to be clean and the top/skirt must be washed every two weeks. UNIFORMS CANNOT BE DRY CLEANED! Uniforms must be washed on a gentle cycle and hung to dry. 

Stains on white areas are easily removed using a paste made with little OxyClean or Cascade and a toothbrush.

Game attire – Based on weather forecast athletes will be instructed on what should be worn to the game (ie cool weather might dictate that athletes wear yoga pants, or warm ups in addition to their skirt and top) this is non negotiable. Weather changes may make it necessary for athletes to change once they arrive. Should athletes be asked to change and not have their uniform pieces they will be benched. This is something that has become an issue in the past.

Athletes must wear “no show” white socks with their uniforms.

There is no eating allowed in uniform. Athletes should carry a large t-shirt in their bag to cover their uniform after games or competition if they would like to eat.

Game rules - If a cheerleader must be absent from a game due to illness, a phone call or text must be made directly to a coach by 9 a.m. or as early as possible. 

Cheerleaders must arrive 1 hour before game time. This hour allows for organized stretching and any reworking of formations for half-time routines due to any late /absent athletes. Cheerleaders arriving late for attendance will be benched from half time.

During sidelines athletes are expected to stay in their lines, be attentive and conduct themselves appropriately with no extra talking or ”fooling around”. The only cheerleaders speaking are the captains and co-captains.

Athletes must stay with their team at all times.

No gum chewing.

No cell phone use.

Athletes must come to games with water or Gatorade to prevent dehydration. It is suggested they also wear sunscreen as appropriate and bring bug spray.

Athletes are to pick up their trash on the way out.

Athletes must be picked up promptly after games.

Depending on the type of injury, injured cheerleaders must come to games dressed in uniform, sit attentively on the sidelines and conduct themselves appropriately.

Uniforms may not be worn at any event other than those approved or organized by Raynham Giants.

PARENT GUIDELINES, FUNDRAISING & COMMUNICATION:

Giants Communication: Giants communicate primarily through email, the facebook page, and game changer to get parents information in a timely way.

During practices and games (or any official Giants activity) it is imperative that parents/guardians or emergency contact be available by phone.

Cancellations of practices or games due to rain will be communicated as early as possible via Facebook posting, email or text. This decision will be made by our President, and vice president and will include the entire organization, not specific per team. Please know that every effort is made to let parents know in a timely manner however, there may be times where information may be disseminated later than we’d like. This is simply due to timing and accessibility to online communication.

Parent concerns: Any parent (or cheerleader) concerns should be addressed with the appropriate adult coach prior to, or at the
end of a practice/game/event or via email. Coaches will not be able to give any discussion the full attention it deserves during practices/games or events due to their responsibility to the cheerleaders.

Please know that as an organization Giants cheer is committed to hearing out concerns. If a coach or board member is not aware of a problem, then they cannot help to solve the problem. All concerns will be heard out respectfully and addressed in a courteous way. Giants cheer requests that parents approach any conversations in the same way. We will not entertain any aggressive or inappropriate conduct.

In the event a parent has a concern they are not comfortable sharing with their coach they are encouraged to contact the Raynham Giants president.

Fundraising:  Fundraising activities are mandatory for all families and are a necessary and vital part of the organization since not all expenses are covered from the registration fees. Exact activities may vary year to year. Fundraising requirements are per cheerleader. Parents may opt to not participate in the fundraiser, instead paying the opt out fee. This includes gate duty, if you do not sign up for the required two shifts, you will be billed.

MISCELANEOUS INFORMATION:

CHEERLEADERS RULES TO LIVE BY:

The most important rules in cheerleading...

You are a cheerleader!

It is an honor and a privilege to be part of this organization.

It is very important that you all get along with each other.

NO ONE CHEERLEADER IS ANY BETTER THAN THE OTHER.

You are a TEAM.Remember you are all on the same team representing the same organization!

You must work as one team.

If a cheerleader is struggling, please do not ridicule, but help them.

It makes you a better person and makes your team stronger.

Feelings are important.

Treat someone as you want to be treated.

Be proud and stand by each other.

When an injury may have resulted in a concussion, for their safety, no athlete will be allowed to continue practice and their parent called right away,

Uniforms may not be worn at any event other than those approved or organized by Raynham Giants cheer.