Please read through all of this information to make sure you are ready for this commitment.

When and where do we practice?
Just like football, we have a preseason conditioning and training session which begins on the first Monday in August. The preseason practice session will be four weeks this year.  It will run Monday through Thursday 5:30-7:30 or 6:00 to 8pm at the back of the Remington/Jefferson field.  Soon after Labor Day, practices will move indoors to one of the school gyms and will be held 2-3 times per week depending on what level squad. Days and location will depend on the availability of a gym and the coaches. Attendance rules for practice is strictly enforced at the A and B levels; an unexcused absence can lead to dismissal from the squad.
 

Do the girls compete?
A and B teams are considered competition squads and compete in the Hockomock Cheerleading Competitions.  The girls may compete in three competitions starting in late October. In 2007 the girls competed at the Hockomock in October and then at Regional's in November. If the girls had placed 1st or 2nd at Regional's they would have moved on to compete at Nationals.  Nationals take place the first week in December at Disney World in Orlando Florida.
For the non-competition squads (C, D, & E) Franklin has hosted an exhibition for the past two years.  This is held at the Franklin High School Field House; in 2007 it was held in September. Several of the local towns attend and all the girls get to show off what they have learned all year.

How many games do they cheer at?
There are a total of 8 games- 4 home and 4 away which are typically played on Sundays but there may be a few games on Saturdays. The game schedule should be available when practice starts. The home games are played at either the HS turf field or Beaver Pond turf field. Parents must provide transportation to the four away games. You can speak to your head coach if you have a problem getting your child to a game and they can help you coordinate a car pool.

How do you decide what team girls are placed on?
Cheerleaders are placed according to date of birth and queue number from registration.  We can have a maximum of 35 girls per squad.

Why does it matter that we all have the same sneakers?

In cheerleading it is very important that the girls all have the same uniforms and try to do all the cheer moves in a synchronized way. The more simultaneous the moves are the better the group looks when they cheer.For this reason we go to great lengths to make sure the girls all have the same bows, socks, sneakers, uniforms etc. to go with those synchronized moves. In order to achieve this we require each cheerleader to order the same sneakers and socks. We hope you understand now why we ask you to do this. The Franklin Chargers does not make any money off the ordering of the girl's sneakers, socks or bows.  We just want everyone to look great. We start this right down at the E squad level so that by the time the girls get to the competition level squads it is second nature to them.    

What do I have to buy?
E Squad cheerleaders are required to purchase cheerleading game socks, bloomers, cheerleading sneakers and warm up pants.
D and C Squad cheerleaders are required to purchase cheerleading game socks, bloomers, a white long sleeve body suit, cheerleading sneakers and warm up pants.
A and B Squad cheerleaders are required to purchase socks, bloomers, a white long sleeve body suit, and cheerleading sneakers. They also may have to purchase a warm up suit.

There will be purchasing nights scheduled in May/June for these items. Ordering on specified dates you will receive a discount that is given to the Franklin Chargers. Ordering after these dates you will be paying full price. Other items will be available that are optional such as shorts, tee shirts, warm up suits, sweatshirts, bags etc.
 

What paperwork do I need to pass in?
Birth certificates with raised seal (NO COPIES) will be required for anyone who did not cheer last year. It must be given to the coach and placed in a notebook until after certification night (end of August). We have certified copies of birth certificates on file for those who are returning from last season. If you cheered in 2006 but not 2007 you still need to pass in an original birth certificate. Originals may also be required for championship competitions or playoffs.

A medical form filled out by your Doctor will be required for 2008. This form will be available for download on the web site or handed out at registration. The physical and all other required forms must be completed BEFORE your child can participate in any practices. Doctor's notes will no longer be accepted. This is a new National Pop Warner requirement. If your child isn't scheduled for a physical before July or had one before Jan 2008 you will still have to have the doctor fill out the medical form which will be available for download on the registration page and at registration on March 29th.

We will have a paperwork night in July before the practice season begins so make those MD appointments and find birth certificates now so you'll be ready. Also, when the kids bring their report cards home for the summer, make a copy or put it someplace you won't forget it.

IF PAPERWORK IS NOT IN BY THE FIRST NIGHT OF PRACTICE YOUR CHILD WILL HAVE TO SIT OUT.

Who are the coaches?
You will be contacted by your coach sometime in June.  If you are interested in coaching please let us know via email or at registration on March 29th.  Most teams have one head coach, 4 assistant coaches, one team mom and up to 4 team demonstrators.  The team demonstrators are usually high school girls who have gone through the Franklin Chargers program and enjoyed it so much they want to give back and help the younger girls learn how to cheer.  All coaches, team moms and demonstrators are volunteers but they are all CORI checked (a National Pop Warner rule).  Even if you are unable to volunteer your time as a coach there are many other ways you can help the Franklin Chargers.  If you want to learn more please email us at Chargers@FranklinChargers.org.