'EAGLES'
CHEERLEADERS CONSTITUTION

The Cheerleading Squad shall be known as the Eagles Cheerleaders.

1   PURPOSE:
1.1   It shall be the purpose of the Eagles Cheerleaders to promote and uphold team spirit for the Newtown Eagles AFC, to develop good sportsmanship by example, to support athletic programmes, and to develop good relations in the community and between teams and squads during athletic events. The organisational goal is to work in harmony with the Team management and administration, other athletic teams and sporting organisations.

2   ELIGIBILITY:
2.1   A cheerleader candidate must support the Newtown Eagles above all other teams.
2.2   A candidate must be neatly presented, medically fit, and if under 18 years old provide parental permission.
2.3   A candidate may be male or female and a minimum age of 14 years.
2.4   Acceptance of a candidate shall be on the basis of ability, the coaches agreement, acceptance of the squad rules, and without prejudice of race creed or colour.

3   MEMBERSHIP:
3.1   The Eagles Cheerleaders are a co-ed squad. The regular squad will consist of a maximum of 12 female, and a minimum of 1 male, cheerleaders. Additional members may be admitted and allowed to fill regular squad positions as they reach performing proficiency, vacancies occur, or temporary positions in the event a regular cheerleader is unable to perform his/her cheerleading duties. Additional members will not dress in uniform unless he/she is scheduled to cheer.
3.2   The entire regular squad will cheer at all home games. A proportion of the squad will cheer at away games, promotions, fund raisers, community and charity events as may be designated on the basis of event requirements and travel arrangements. Such proportion and the selection of same will be assigned on a rotating basis, subject to performing skills, by the coaches.

4   ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
4.1   All cheerleaders will attend practice and all home games, and those designated will attend away games. Newtown Eagles games take precedence over all other events.
4.2   Spring Camp: All cheerleaders, including pre-regulars, managers and coaches, are required to attend annual camp as a squad.
4.3   Competitions: The squad as a group will decide to enter a competition. If the majority decide to compete, the entire squad will do so
4.4   Social Activities: All members are encouraged, but not required to attend. Advance notice of non attendance is required.
4.5   Team activities other than Games: As social activities, but members will be required to attend a reasonable proportion of these duties throughout the year.
4.6   If any other activities or opportunities are chosen by the coachesmanagers, the coaches/managers shall decide if the event is mandatory or optional. Reasonable notice of all such activities/opportunities will be given for mandatory events, and as early as possible for others.

5   FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (Other than uniform)
5.1   Annual Camp/Clinics: The cheerleader is responsible for the cost of attending. Fund raiser projects will be available to assist those participating.
5.2   Transportation: The squad managers/coaches will be responsible for supplying game/event transport, although for long distance games/events the cheerleaders may be required to pay a proportion towards the cost. Such costs will be notified in advance. Wherever possible cheerleaders will make their own way to and from practice. Practice transport will only be provided where practical and/or necessary at the descretion of the managers/coaches.
5.3   Competitions: The squad/managers/coaches will bear the cost of competition entry. Members will bear a proportion of transport costs to cover fuel/hire etc.
5.4   Members will provide their own refreshments when not provided by the managers/coaches or event organisers.
5.5   Each cheerleader will pay £2.00 per week in subs, or such amount decided by a majority of the squad and with managers/coaches agreement. This sum will go towards cost of insurance, hire of training facilities, additional/replacement uniforms, and other squad operating costs as agreed by the majority of the squad, and managers/coaches.
5.6   Insurance is mandatory and will normally be provided through subs and arranged by the managers/coaches. Exemption will only be given on proof of adequate personal insurance to squad minimum requirements.
5.7   The managers/coaches may continue to provide funding for the squad over and above squad funds where possible. However this will be subject to their own resources and willingness to do so.
5.8   Each member will be required to purchase certain items of clothing/uniform for hygienic reasons. These will be listed.

6   TRYOUTS:
6.1   A Tryout will consist of performing designated skills in front of squad members and coaches/managers. A majority decision by the squad for acceptance will be taken. However the coaches/managers have the right to accept or veto this vote.
6.2   Tryouts will normally be held each year prior to the start of Eagles team training, but may additionally be conducted at other times at the descretion of the coaches/managers.
6.3   The format of the Tryouts will be decided by the coaches, and will be held in a fair and open manner conducive to allowing each candidate to show his/her best abilities and potential.

7   SELECTION OF CAPTAIN AND OTHER OFFICERS:
7.1   The Eagles Cheerleaders will have one Captain, one Co-Captain, and up to three Group Leaders. A list of suitable candidates will be prepared by the coaches and voted on by the cheerleaders. A majority vote will decide the positions. Candidates must have at least one years experience as an Eagles Cheerleader and have attended at least one annual Camp.
7.2   Senior members will perform the duties of treasurer, secretary, and other designated positions. At that time it will be the judgement of the coaches/managers, with squad vote approval, that decides whether or not these responsibilities are passed to approved candidates under coaches/managers supervision.

8   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COACHES/MANAGERS:
The coaches/managers are responsible for:
8.1   Ensuring that squad members are insured, that safety is the top priority at all times, that First Aid is available, and emergency contact list is kept up to date and present at all times.
8.2   The safety and conduct guidelines of the British Cheerleading Association are followed and upheld.
8.2   Organising and arranging training schedule, equipment, training facilities, travel and events.
8.3   Maintaining and cleaning of uniforms.

9   DUTIES OF CAPTAIN:
9.1   Set an example to the rest of the squad by following the rules and regulations of the Eagles Cheerleaders. The Captain will set an example by doing more than his/her share.
9.2   Be at practice early and start practice on time.
9.3   Set cheers and chants to be used at games and events. The squad should make suggestions, but the decision shall be by the Captain.
9.4   Act as a peacemaker in case of disagreements
9.5   Co-ordinate the painting and hanging up of signs.
9.6   Be responsible for welcoming visiting squads and setting a good example of friendliness to other cheerleaders.
9.7   Keep the crowd cheering and your cheerleaders in proper formation during games
9.8   Show no partiality within the squad
9.9   In the event the Captain is not able to perform his/her duties the Co-captain or assigned Group Leader will do so.

10   PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
10.1   To set by the coaches/managers, with squad approval. As far as is practical this will be at Eagles football training during the football season, and indoors training at other times of the year dependent on availability of facilities and squad funds.
10.2   All cheerleaders are required to attend all practice sessions unless valid reasons are notified to the coaches/managers.

11   UNIFORMS & PRACTICE WEAR:
11.1   Uniforms will be provided for the regular or attending members of an event. Uniforms will be given out before the event and returned for cleaning afterwards. The squad may decide by majority vote to purchase additional or replacement uniform items from squad funds/fund raisers/sponsorship etc, with the approval of the coaches/managers.
11.2   Any uniform that is returned damaged and deemed unusable by the managers must be paid for at replacement cost by the cheerleader in whose care it was given.
11.3   Only official squad jackets may be worn over uniform. Official jackets, T shirts, and practice wear are the only items of squad clothing that can be worn whilst not in full uniform. Uniform will only be worn for events as designated by the coaches/managers.
11.4   Official travelling kit will be handed out for away events when specified by coaches/managers, and will be returned for cleaning as per uniforms. Damage to travelling kit is subject to the same conditions as for uniforms.
11.5   Cheerleaders in uniform or wearing any item of squad or team identification must always conduct themselves in a manner becoming to an Eagles Cheerleader.

12   APPEARANCE:
12.1   For safety reasons jewellery or watches will not be worn with uniform or at practice, except for small flat earrings or small stud earrings.
12.2   Uniforms must be kept spotless at all times.
12.3   Makeup should be natural and not excessive.
12.4   All hair styles must be neat and secured up out of the face, not needing attention (combing etc) whilst performing.
12.5   Cheerleaders should look their best at all times, especially when in uniform or travelling kit.

13   CONDUCT:
13.1   Squad members are required to maintain and uphold the reputation of the Eagles Cheerleaders through their own conduct and squad spirit.
13.2   Members are required to be courteous, polite, friendly, and try to have a smile for everybody.
13.3   All cheers and chants shall be of a positive and sportsmanlike manner.
13.4  Members will make every attempt to ignore or dissuade negative responses at events and not become involved in such action themselves.

14   FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES:
14.1   All cheerleaders will participate in at least one fund raising project per year. The money raised will be used to fund additional agreed expenses during the year such as extra items of kit or equipment. Donations to, and fund raising for, Eagles team funds or charity projects may be conducted as agreed by the squad and coaches/managers.
14.2   All fund raising activities will be approved by the majority of the squad and with the approval of the coaches/managers.

15   DISCIPLINARY ACTION:
15.1   It shall be squad policy that disciplinary action will only be invoked as a last resort, and that every reasonable attempt will be made to avoid situations likely to lead to such action through squad discussion and positive encouragement, by example, and by finding ways and means to correct negative trends.
15.2   A cheerleader may be suspended from games/events for the following reasons:
Unexcused absence, excessive absence or tardiness, failure to cooperate with coaches/managers, or failure to abide by squad rules and regulations.
15.3   A cheerleader may be dismissed from the squad for the following reasons: Excessive and irreconcilable disruptive influence on the squad, conduct likely to bring the squad or team reputation into disrepute