Mission Statement

To foster the growth of cheerleading in the Northern Kentucky area. 

Membership is open to all KHSAA schools and their middle and elementary schools located in the counties of Kenton, Boone, and Campbell. Membership to compete is open to all All-Star programs without regard to locality*. Scholarship opportunities are open to only cheerleaders residing in the three county area. 

 A $20 membership fee per school/gym is to be paid each school year. The fee is due by Feb 1 with a roster for each squad; a $10 delinquent fee will be assessed to all late payments not made by October 15th.

Please list all coaches when paying dues. The membership fee helps to cover postage, paper, and miscellaneous expenses incurred throughout the year. Those not fulfilling the fee requirements will in no way be eligible to participate in any activities or awards. All member schools must abide by KHSAA and National federation requirements ( CPR training, stunt restrictions, transfer and eligibility requirements, etc.)  

* A special division will be established to accommodate “ All-Star” squads. All-Star squads may enter the competition in their own division. All-Star squads are not restricted to the Northern Kentucky area, but are subject to all of their own gym's restrictions and requirements. All Association fees and regulations are applicable.    

CONTACT INFORMATION 

Web address: www.nkycheer.com

Phone: 859-431-1335 ext. 36

All member schools/representatives are required to attend at least one of the two annual meetings held for the applicable school year. Meetings are typically held in Aug/Sept, and Jan/Feb. Those not fulfilling this requirement will not be eligible to participate in activities or awards for that school year. ( Unless the president feels it may be waived for extraneous situations or scheduling conflicts verified with the president prior to the meeting.)

The Association will elect officers to help facilitate the duties and oversee the structure of itself. The Association, however, will always be a product of its’ member schools and its’ officers. Officers will be elected for a term of one year. Elections will be held at the Fall meeting. One vote per member school/representative. The offices of President, Treasurer/Secretary and All-Star Representative are needed. The President’s main role is to organize all events with the member schools, lead all meetings, inform members of rule changes and information and operate as mediator when the need arises. The Treasurer’s role is to secure all membership dues, keep in balance all funds received and to pay all bills. The treasurer will report the Association’s balance at all meetings. The Secretary’s main role is to document all meeting’s minutes and to distribute to member schools and pertinent information or meeting minutes. The All-Star Representatives will solicit participation in their division and act as liaison with the President and the Association. 

Items discussed at meetings or changes to the guidelines will be voted on, if possible at each meeting. One vote per member school or representative. Items, which the majority present believe should be voted on by a greater membership majority, will be listed in the meeting minutes and tabled for the next meeting. 

All officers and members shall not be held liable for any actions made by them in good faith and intent. Participants in events agree that all accidents, injuries and damages are not the responsibility of the Association. No action shall be taken against the Association or it’s officers. No reimbursements of any kind will be made for lost, damaged or stolen items. All participants are required to handle their own claims. Exceptions may lie in contracts held with third parties ( e.g. Gym rental, security guard fees). All participating school squads are required to be members of the KHSAA, follow National Federation rules or have insurance coverage through their school, gym or home. Otherwise an additional fee will be charged. The additional fee will be based on the market rate to insure all members of the squad and the Association.

The Association’s funds will be kept in an account, which is agreeable to the member schools. The treasurer will report the account balance at each meeting. A receipt should accompany all disbursements. 

SCHOLARSHIP- Scholarships will be made available to cheerleaders whose school is an active member of the Association. The amount of each scholarship will be determined each year at the Aug/Sept meeting, or by the March competition receipts and will be based on the account balance. Cheerleaders are eligible if they have cheered for a member school, or are seniors in good standing and have submitted a scholarship form. Also, their squad must be a participant in that school year’s competition; all proceeds received from the competition fund go to the scholarship awards. All forms must be completed and returned to the Association’s President with a postmark of no later then December 31 of the current school year. Any application received after that date will not be accepted. Any application missing information will also not be accepted. Please refer any questions to the President. An independent committee of four voted on by the Association will select the scholarship winners. Selections will be made two weeks prior to the Competition. Scholarships must be redeemed by the following academic year. Scholarships not redeemed in this time period will be fortified and re-entered into the Association’s account balance. All scholarships redemption’s are handled by the treasurer and are drawn on the Association’s account.

ACADEMIC- These awards are presented for academic excellence while cheering for a member school. The award will be based on a 4.0 scale or a weighted cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better; through the first semester of the school year. “ AP” or weighted classes should be adjusted accordingly. All grades are cumulative from the first semester of the 9^th grade through current standings. Elementary and Middle school awards are cumulative based on their school’s standards. All submissions are due by February 21. Only written and authorized submissions will be accepted. Levels of awards and types will be discussed in more detail at the Jan/Feb meeting. Efforts by the Association should be made to secure or solicit monetary awards and prizes to enhance the academic achievement awards. All awards and prizes will be presented at the Competition.           

PEP AWARDS- These awards will be given to those squads that exemplify a true school spirit, are able to motivate their crowd, are friendly to other squads, exemplify good sportsmanship and support their team throughout the year and especially on Competition day. The awards will be presented at the end of the Competition. Squads are eligible only if there are at least three squads in their division. Voting for all sections will take place during the competition and are the responsibility of each coach. Pep awards should be turned in to the scorer's table immediately at the end of a division's event . Only competition participants are eligible. 

COACHES’ SERVICE AWARD- This award was established to recognize the achievements and efforts of our member school coaches and representatives. All awards will be presented at the Competition. Examples include length of service, outstanding achievements, etc. 

The purpose of this event is two-fold: 1) to allow our cheerleaders to exemplify their talents both on the court and in the classroom. 2) to generate revenue for the Association to offer its awards, benefits and miscellaneous activities throughout the year. Details of the competition will be voted at the Aug/Sept meeting and again at the Jan/Feb meeting. The Association must approve all items sold or displayed at the competition.

CATEGORIES- The competition is open to all member schools and All-Star squads. The competition will award first and second place trophies and ribbons in the categories with at least 3 squads entered, otherwise only first place trophies and ribbons will be awarded. 

FEES- Squad fee -A $1 non-refundable fee per cheerleader per squad is due February 21 (plus association fee) along with all roster updates/changes and liability release forms. All late payments and forms may be assessed a $5 late fee. All initial dues' payment  should be accompanied by an eligibility or roster sheet.  Stunt fee -Entry fee $20 per group plus Association membership if not already paid for by a member squad. 

ROSTER- Only cheerleaders listed on the roster sheet are eligible to participate. High School squad cheerleaders must be KHSAA eligible and members of their school’s squad participating in all facets ( unless sidelined due to illness or injury). All other cheerleaders must also meet their school’s minimum academic requirements. Cheerleaders should be listed by squad and are allowed to participate with only the squad that has listed them on their roster for the competition. They can, however, be listed on more than one roster for that school (i.e. Varsity, JV). If applicable, insurance fees will be based on the number of cheerleaders on each roster. 

WAIVER FORMS- All cheerleaders must have a waiver & release form completed before the competition begins. Waiver forms should be submitted with the roster and entry fee. Waiver forms will be available at or after the Jan/Feb meeting. 

JUDGES- The judges will use a score sheet approved at the Fall coaches meeting. Judging fees are based on the number of participating squads.  Two sets of judges may be used to speed up the competition format. Five judges will be used dropping the high and low scores. 

FORMAT/SCORING- Squads are allowed no more than 5 minutes of performance time. Timing begins with the start of the routine and ends with the last motion, word or signal in the routine. Squads may stunt onto and off the floor. All KHSAA and National Federation mount and stunt restrictions apply. Squads may use megaphones, signs, and pompoms at any time. Other props may be deemed dangerous to the floor or to the other cheerleaders ( e.g., flags, boxes, etc.) and will not be allowed. Squads going over the time limit or using illegal props will be penalized 10 points for each. The deduction will be taken from the judges’ combined scores. The score sheet is attached. The format of each routine must contain the following: 1)      At least one jump, 2) a cheer/chant section , 3) and a  music and dance portion.   

SOUND SYSTEM -The Association will supply a sound system. Sound checks will be allowed only during a designated period, prior to the performances. Coaches are advised to bring 2 copies of their music. 

PRACTICE/FLOOR TIMES- Floor times in a small gymnasium will be assigned based on the order of appearance. Squads will not be given another scheduled opportunity to stretch and warm up prior to the competition.

SCHEDULE- The All-Star squads will perform first, and their awards will be presented, followed by the middle and high school squads and stunt groups.