OBX Cheer and Dance
Athlete and Parent Handbook
Our mission is to build self-confidence, self-discipline, team building, and
everlasting friendships through cheerleading. We pride ourselves on setting high
standards for our coaches, athletes, and parents. We are dedicated and committed
to training our athletes to achieve their goals and to believe in themselves on and off
the cheerleading mat.
Welcome to FAME All-Stars!!! 12 years strong and counting. We are excited that you
have chosen to be a part of our program and hope that you have a long and rewarding
relationship with the FAME Family.
Over the last 12 years, FAME All-Stars has established itself as one of the top nationally
ranked programs in the county. To date our teams have accumulated over 400 National
Titles, 100 State Titles, and 50 Grand Champion Titles, 51 bids to the Cheerleading
worlds, along with numerous tournaments in the World. Along with numerous other
impressive specialty awards. By attending some of the most competitive and prestigious
tournaments in the World, our athletes and teams have made a name for our program and
have solidified FAME All-Stars a successful and respected program that ranks among the
nation’s elite.
Another amazing you’ll find about FAME All-Stars is our World Class Staff. We have
the most loyal, talented, credentialed, and experienced coaches in North Carolina who are
dedicated to seeing our athletes through to reach their fullest potential. FAME Coaches
are more than just cheerleading coaches. They are mentors and positive role models for
our athletes, and take pride in watching our athletes grow each day in life and
cheerleading.
Although FAME is one of the largest programs in the country, we a FAMILY. Above all
else, we pride ourselves on having a wholesome, positive, and encouraging environment
where the cheerleaders LOVE to be! We strongly value sportsmanship, dedication,
integrity, caring, and FUN! When you come to FAME you will train in a top-notch
facility, be instructed by amazing coaches, and become part of one of the top programs in
the country for a lower cost than most of our competitors.
We are excited to welcome you to the FAME Family! How to Register for FAME ALL-‐STARS for the 2015-‐2016 Season ♠ Read the entire Handbook and Financial Agreement for the 2015-‐2016 Season ♠ Complete Tryout Form and Athlete Profile Form ♠ Fill out Medial Release Wavier ♠ Pay Registration Fee for the 2015-‐2016 Season Registration Fees Registration April 1-‐22nd $120—Early Bird Registration Fee Tiny Tot Registration is $75. Tiny Training in May Schedule (online) check May Cal Includes Yearly Registration Fee $70 Includes Evaluation Fee $30 May Tumbling $20 Opportunity to Pre-‐Purchase Practice Wear/VIP Pick-‐up at Walk Thru Day $75 Registration April 23-‐May 6th $150—Registration Includes Yearly Registration Fee $70 Includes Evaluation Fee $30 May Tumbling $50 Registration After May 6th $200—Registration Fee Includes Yearly Registration Fee $120 Includes Evaluation Fee $30 May Tumbling $50 FAME OBX Team Evaluations May 19th 5:30-‐7:00 PM Ages 11 & Under 7:00-‐8:30 PM Ages 12 & Up Registration Checklist (All items below should be collected & turned in at once) ____________ Return Registration/Emergency Release Form ____________ Return Tryout Form and Registration Fee Payment ____________ Return Athlete Profile ____________ Read Online Handbook and return Agreement Page 2 ATHLETE RULES OF CONDUCT • No profanity or abusive language. • Refrain from using social networking, messaging services or electronic media to distribute negative or inappropriate information that could be detrimental to yourself, your family, and the FAME brand or reputation in anyway. This is ground for immediate dismissal from the program. • If an extracurricular activity interferes with our mandatory practices or competitions, you will have to choose which activity to continue. • Each team will be assigned other teams to watch at competitions, you are required to watch your assigned teams. • Remain mindful that your decisions, whether you are actually wearing anything displaying the FAME brand or logo at the time or not, affect and can be a negative reflection of yourself, your parents, fellow teammates, coaches, staff, and the entire FAME program. Athletes should take pride in wearing “FAME colors” and conduct themselves accordingly to uphold the legacy of FAME. • Athletes are expected to wear FAME practice wear on the correct night of practice. • Accept both constructive criticisms, along with praise for a job well done. • Not participate in gossip. This includes internal gossip about other FAME athletes and external gossip about other cheerleading programs and their athletes. Problems shall be addressed and received directly, and parents should not listen, participate or instigate any idle, worthless gossip. • Show good sportsmanship and class at ALL times. • Attitude is everything. If an athlete has a foul attitude, we will place him/her to a non-‐competitive program such as a class until improvements are made. Until then, a replacement will be put in position. • Not bully. This includes all forms such as electronic, verbal, physical, mental, media based, monetary, etc. • Use social networking and electronic media as a means of publishing and spreading the word of FAME in a positive and appropriate manner. PARENT RULES OF CONDUCT • Under no circumstances should you enter the practice area at the FAME gym or any warm-‐up area at competition. • Do not try to yell or get your child’s attention on the floor during practice at the FAME gym or any warm-‐up area at any competition. • Understand that the parent viewing area is open as a privilege not a right. If the viewing area becomes a parent issue, FAME has the right to close the area at anytime without prior notice. 3 •
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If you threaten to quit or pull your child from the program, you may be dismissed from the program immediately. Never speak or approach a competition official such as a judge. Your opinion regarding practice and routine construction does not count. Please respect the decision the FAME coaching staff makes. We have years of experience and will make the best decisions for the entire team/program. Please do not call or text a staff member during practice or after hours as well. The staff needs to have their personal time from work. Thank you in advance for respecting this rule. If you threaten to quit or pull your child from the program, you will be asked to leave immediately. This is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated. Please do not punish your child with practices and competitions. At that time you are punishing the entire team/program. Please be aware that FAME is privately owned and operated and should parents or cheerleaders engage in behavior that is unbecoming of a representative of FAME, we reserve the right to remove parents or cheerleaders from the program temporarily or permanently. ROLE OF TEAM REPRESENTATIVE
A Team Rep is a parent who is the liaison between the coach and the parents. If you are interested in this responsibility and would like to be considered for the position, please inform DeMarcus Johnson. There is one rep per team. Team Reps are not involved in gym decisions, coaching or accounting issues. If you choose to be a team representative, you will be responsible, but not limited to, the following duties: • Roll call at all team practices, competitions, and special events. • Communication with parents and athletes via email, text, phone. • Developing team specific announcements, emails, and reminders. • Individual team Social Media set-‐up and maintenance. • Team management at competitions from arrival time to release time. • Collecting and distributing FAME program t-‐shirts • Organizing and preparing team outing and team bonding activities. THE FAME BRAND The FAME brand is a highly recognized and TRADEMARKED brand nationwide. You cannot create or sell your own FAME clothing. The FAME logo, FAME pro shop apparel, and any other items associated with FAME All-‐Stars are only allowed to be purchased through the gym or through the official FAME online Pro-‐Shop at www.fameceer.com. Parents/Family/Friends are NOT authorized to create, sell, or purchase non-‐authorized apparel. All ideas for apparel must be emailed and approved by management. ATTENDANCE, TARDINESS, AND ABSENCES Practices are MANDATORY. Being an athlete on a team at FAME is a commitment. Athletes are required to notify their team rep and coach if they are missing for any reason and receive their approval to miss practice. An “absent request” form must be 4 filled out prior to the missed practice. One unexcused absence = $25 fine. If an athlete is absent from practice for any reason, whether excused or unexcused, he or she is responsible for learning ALL routine changes made in their absence, before the next practice. Summer practices...we realize that families vacation during the summer break months. Please communicate these dates directly with your coach. Attendance at practice is critical to your athlete’s progress and integral to the success of the team and athletes should be at practices during the summer season. Coaches are prepared to spend a lot of time tumbling and stunting during these practices. While every effort should be made to attend practices, all practices become MANDATORY after choreography camp. You are NEVER allowed to miss practice two weeks before an event for ANY reason. Only DeMarcus has the discretion to approve an absence during this time. Failure to attend practice will result in your child being removed from his/her position until further notice. In the case of a family emergency, you must notify your coach and team rep as soon as possible to inform them of your situation. Church is an understood priority at FAME and with many of our families. We will schedule around most common church times however, absences related to church youth groups, speakers, retreats, etc., would not be unexcused. Illness: You must attend practice when you are sick, if you are not contagious. You are not required to participate; however, you must be physically present. In addition, when absences due to illness you will be required to provide a doctor’s note with detailed information regarding the illness, treatment and length of recovery. This includes dental, medical and any other health related issue that may prohibit a student from participating. Injury: In the event that an athlete is injured you should notify your coach of the happening of such injury immediately. Thereafter, you should continuously update coaches as soon as possible with all information concerning doctor’s prognosis, estimated length of recovery, potential for surgery, and any change in circumstance affecting their ability to perform the physical skills required to fulfill their role on the team. • We will re-‐choreography routines based on the athlete’s injury and length of recovery. Once the individual has fully recovered, he o r she may NOT be choreographed back in the routine. All injured athletes must continue to pay fees in full. Inclement Weather Policy: Every reasonable attempt will be made to open our business on regular scheduled practice days. However in the event of severe weather conditions, the gym will decide whether to open or not. Notification will be posted on FAME Facebook page, twitter, and on the webs
5 COMPETITION ATTENDANCE: Prior to each competition, athletes and parents will be given the following set of team specific times for competition: • Arrival time-‐ when you must be present at the competition venue • Meet time-‐ when your team is required to meet with team rep and congregate at a specific place designated by the team reps. Team reps will take roll as the athletes prepare to walk to warm-‐ups. Athletes must leave all backpacks, purses, make-‐up, warm-‐up jackets and pants etc., with parents at this time. • Warm-‐up time-‐ the time the event hosting company has scheduled the team to warm-‐up • Performance time-‐ the time when the team is scheduled to perform • Award time-‐ the time of the awards ceremony that you team has been scheduled to receive its award. If you do not attend your awards ceremony please make arrangements with your team rep prior to awards so they can hold your medal, jacket, etc. If arrangements are not made we cannot guarantee the item will be received. It is important to stay for all awards ceremonies. • Release time-‐ when you are officially dismissed and allowed to leave the competition venue. From your arrival time to your release time, every athlete is required to watch and support all FAME teams except the scheduled time that his or her team is to be warming up. Athletes may not leave the competition before their respective release time without prior approval from DeMarcus Johnson. DRESS CODE Practice Dress Code • Athletes must wear the correct color of practice clothes and cheer shoes must be worn at every practice. • Practice clothes may sometimes shrink and athletes will likely grow throughout a season. FAME staff may require an athlete to purchase larger sized practice shorts or tops, should the fit become extremely unflattering or inappropriate. • Hair must be pulled up, out of your face, in a high ponytail. • Please wear ASSIGNED gear to practice (No jeans or jean shorts) • NO jewelry to practice. FAME All-‐Stars assumes NO responsibility of lost jewelry or any valuables. Competition Dress Code Athletes must arrive performance ready: Full uniform with assigned competition sports bra and skirt. All hair and makeup must be COMPLETE before entering the 6 competition venue. DO NOT LEAVE the hotel room without your hair being competition ready. That means hair styled in a high ponytail, FAME bow, NO glitter. • Upon arrival to competition, you may wear your uniform with jacket over it. • You may either wear your skirt under your pants (under no circumstances ever may your skirt be worn over your pants) or you may bring your skirt on a hanger or in a bag until it’s time to put it on. • All “dressing” and “changing clothes” must be done in a restroom, not the FAME room, hallway or any other public place because FAME athletes are always to be 100% ready-‐to-‐go. • You must wear athletic shoes at the competition at all times. (Absolutely NO UGG’s or flip-‐flops etc.) • You are not allowed to wear jewelry at anytime during competition days. PAYMENTS, FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS, POLICIES All monthly payments (all-‐star program, classes, etc.) will be drafted through our online system Jackrabbit. FAME will no longer allow athletes who have not met their previous season financial commitment to participate in Team Selection. You are required to fill out our draft form. • Payments are due on the 1st of each month, all payments made after the 10th will have a $15.00 late charge added to the account per month the invoice is late. • You will receive a monthly statement on the 25th of each month. Please make sure to keep your email address updated and current. • If your account becomes more than 1 month delinquent, your account will be sent to collection, and your child will not be able to participate until your account is brought up to date. • It is your responsibility to keep up with your account • During ALL gym closings and breaks FULL gym fees still apply. Class and monthly tuition cannot be prorated for any reason. • Tuition, Choreography, Camp, Competition fees or clothing are non-‐
refundable. • Understand that our expenses must be paid on time and we expect the courtesy of payment from parents on time. • FAME requires a 30 day written notice if your child will be leaving the program. This notice should be emailed to DeMarcus at [email protected]. • If you quit the team prior to a competition you will NOT be refunded any competition fees. It takes a lot of hard work on behalf of the coaches and the team members to get a routine ready for competition. We register for competitions beginning in the summer to receive the best rates. If you child decides to quit, we must find a replacement and train them to be ready to compete. Therefore, competition fees are not refundable even if your cheerleader leaves, prior to a competition. 7 FAB (FAME All-‐Star Boosters) and Fundraising
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If you need help in these tough economical times to pay for your child’s tuition and fees than FAB might be the thing for you! We work places from local Tides and Admirals games, all the way to special events such as NASCAR and Indy Races at the Richmond International Raceway and many things in between. You will be required to work a specified amount of shifts per quarter to be eligible for payouts, but you will reap the rewards when you see just how much it can help. We do have one rule you should know; you will be required to have FUN! Space is limited and there is a membership fee and required uniform (T-‐Shirt and Hat/Visor) that you will purchase through FAB. If you have questions about becoming a member or visit us online at www.leaguelineup.com/FAB A different fundraiser will be presented every 5-‐6 weeks. Your fundraising profits will be directly posted to your account. This involves extra work outside of cheer. However we have seen people pay for their whole year through fundraising and FAB events! Information for individual OBX fundraisers will be sent home. Everyone is strongly encouraged to participate in Casino Night at the end of summer! Any SURPLUS of credits from FUNDRAISERS will be applied towards FAME All-‐Star Classes, Teams and Merchandise. Refund Checks will not be issued in the event of a surplus. PRIVATE LESSONS AND ADDITIONAL ITEMS Privates are an excellent opportunity for FAME athletes to grow and excel their skills. While we value the results they provide they must be conducted in the following way. • All privates will be set up through individual instructors and are not set up through the gym. • Payments for Privates are paid directly to the coach. • IF YOU HAVE A BALANCE OF ANY TYPE AFTER THE 10th of The Month You will NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO PRIVATES until the balance is paid in full • Additional items such as apparel, camps, etc. may not be purchased or participated in if you have a balance on your account. Accounts must be paid first before getting any of the “extra” things. FAQ’s WHEN IS THE GYM CLOSED? 8 Memorial Day Weekend: May 22 -‐ 25 Father’s Day: June 21 Independence Day Break: July 3 -‐ 12 Summer Break: August 16 -‐ 23 Labor Day Weekend: September 4 -‐ 7 Thanksgiving Break: November 23 -‐ 29 (there may be practices during this time) ● Christmas Break/New Years: December 1 -‐ Jan 2 (there may be practices during this time) ● Spring Break: March 27 -‐ April 3 (there may be practices during this time) ●
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WHEN IS MANDATORY CAMP AND CHOREOGRAPHY FOR ALL OBX TEAMS? ★ LEVEL CAMP ○ July 20 -‐ 21 (At FAME Central) ■ Camp is MANDATORY for level 3 & 4 teams. Athletes will be finishing their stunt and pyramid choreography for their routine. ○ Level 1 and 2 do not attend level camp and will their own back home July 15 -‐ 16 ★ CHOREOGRAPHY ○ July 27 -‐ August 1 ■ Each team will have 3-‐5 days of choreography during this time frame. Exact time/days will be emailed when team rosters for the new season are announced. Tiny will learn throughout summer and fall months during practice ○ September-‐ DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY OTHER IMPORTANT DATES ★ Walk Thru Day: Thursday, May 28 ○ 6:00-‐7:30 PM (VIP) and 7:30-‐9:00 PM (Regular) ★ Welcome Party: Friday, May 29 (FAME OBX) ○ Food, movies, games; program wide bonding, and FUN! Drop is at 6:30 PM, pick-‐up is no later than 8:30 AM. ★ Holiday Party: Saturday, December 11 ★ Team Pictures: Late January ★ Year-‐End Celebration: Late April/May THE SEASON STARTS JUNE 1! WHEN DO WE FIND OUT OUR PRACTICE SCHEDULE AND WHAT TEAM WE MADE? On Wednesday, May 27, team placements will be posted after 5 PM on our website at www.famecheer.com. WHERE CAN I FIND AN “ABSENCE REQUEST FORM” On our website, under the “Registration...OBX” tab. 9 WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE TRYOUTS? A private tryout can be held for $55. Email [email protected] to set it up. WHAT IF I CAN’T TUMBLE? DOES THIS MEAN I AM NOT GOING TO MAKE A “GOOD TEAM”? No. All of the team at FAME All-‐Stars are “good” teams! Everyone has a place here. Tumbling is not a requirement. It is something you will learn with our talented and highly qualified staff. TESTIMONIALS “FAME All-‐Stars has given my daughter a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the all-‐star world! The skills and confidence she has gained as a person have helped her grow in every aspect. The staff has been knowledgeable and very compassionate with every skills level that FAME provides. My daughter absolutely LOVES being apart of this program and being apart of the FAME cheer family! Any parent or athlete looking for the opportunity to build their cheer skills and be part of a nationally ranked program should consider FAME All-‐Stars! It’s the best! -‐Aleca M, Grandy “My three daughters have been apart of FAME for three years. During these three years, all three have gained much ore than cheerleading skills. Their self-‐confidence has soared! They have seen the benefits of working hard and being part of a team. The friendships they have made will last a lifetime! Also because of the experienced staff, my girl’s skill levels have increased significantly. My oldest will be competing at worlds for her 2nd time. We, as a family are so thankful for our time at FAME All-‐Stars OBX and Virginia Beach.” -‐Chris and Susan C, Harbinger “I have been so happy with FAME. Their coaches are dedicated and really take the time to know your child and help them at the level they are at while pushing them to be better! I really like how there are multiple coaches per team so there is not much wasted time at practice. The coaches are serious and have high expectations and the teams respect them, so they rise to those expectations. There are also team building activities which really bring the team together as a family.” -‐Valerie M, Kitty Hawk “My daughter originally joined FAME in 2011. We found FAME to be a much more structured and organized facility than others we had dealt with in the past. FAME has very talented and experienced coaches who display themselves as positive role models! My daughter has built self-‐confidence and set many goals for herself that she continues to work towards. I would highly recommend FAME All-‐Stars to anyone seeking a cheerleading program that will bring their child to his/her fullest potential.” -‐Jenny B, Elizabeth City 10 PROGRAM COST REGISTRATION Early Bird Registration (April 1-‐22) $120 Early Registration (April 23-‐May 6) $150 Registration (After May 6) $200 MONTHLY TUITION Tiny Tots/Mini’s $75 Boys $60 Youth, Junior, and Seniors $125 or $100.00 on auto debit Siblings $15 Monthly Discount (Youth-‐Senior only) Crossovers (to dance) $20 CHOREOGRAPHY/MUSIC FEE Tiny Tots/Mini’s $100 Youth, Junior, Seniors $150 Level 5 $200 UNIFORMS AND PRACTICE WEAR Uniform $315 Practice Wear $75 Competition Bow $35 (Day 1 and Day 2) Team T-‐Shirt $25 (Due in November) COMPETITION FEES Made in $100 Monthly Installments beginning in June Level 1-‐2 Approximately $550 Level 3-‐4 Approximately $800 Level 5 Approximately $900 Crossover Approximately $200 PLEASE NOTE: The above season fees DO NOT include warm-‐ups, merchandise items, tumbling classes, training camps/clinics and competition travel/lodging expenses. WANT TO EARN AN EASY $50.00?? REFER SOMEONE TOTALLY NEW TO OUR PROGRAM AND A $50 REFERRAL FEE WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR DECEMBER STATEMENT. 11 2015-2016 USASF AGE GRID
TINY
3-6 YEARS OLD
MINI
6-8 YEARS OLD
YOUTH
9-11 YEARS OLD
JUNIOR
12-14 YEARS OLD
SENIOR
10-18 YEARS OLD
WORLDS
12-18 YEARS OLD
INTERNATIONAL 5
14 AND OVER
INTERNATIONAL 6
17 AND OVER
***AGE AS OF AUGUST 31, 2015
TUMBLING SKILLS PER LEVEL (athletes should have 3 required skills minimum)
LEVEL
LEVEL 1
STANDING TUMBLING
FORWARD ROLL
FRONT/BACK WALKOVER
RUNNING TUMBLING
CARTWHEEL
ROUND OFF BACK WALKOVER
LEVEL 2
BACKHANDSPRING
BACK WALKOVER BHS
STANDING MULTIPLE BHS
JUMPS TO BHS(s)
ROUND OFF BHS(S)
TRICK INTO ROUND OFF BHS
ROUND OFF OR BHS TUCK
TRICK INTO RO BHS TUCK
PUNCH FRONT
STANDING TUCK
BHS TUCK/LAYOUT
JUMPS TO BHS TUCK
JUMPS TO STANDING TUCK
BHS SERIES TO FULL
STANDING FULL
ROUND OFF BHS LAYOUT
TRICK INTO LAYOUT
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 4
LEVEL 5
FULL
TRICK TO FULL
DOUBLE
WWW.FAMECHEER.COM
12 FAME ALL-STARS
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SPONSOR MY BOW $15
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SPONSOR MY RHINESTONES $30
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SPONSOR MY RIGHT SLEEVE $25
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SPONSOR MY RIGHT LEG $20
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SPONSOR MY RIGHT SHOE $40
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SPONSOR MY LOGO $40
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SPONSOR MY LEFT SLEEVE $25
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SPONSOR MY SKIRT $40
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SPONSOR MY LEFT LEG $20
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SPONSOR MY LEFT SHOE $40
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