Meadowdale Junior Football & cheer
FAQ & Cheer Specific information
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Football
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to play?
First, register for the team your child will be eligible for in the fall!
Then:
- Attend practices
- National Sports ID- this is sent via the program, no need to pre-register. This will require you to upload proof of address, proof of grade, and a picture of your child. You will also sign a child and parent code of conduct.
- Pay registration fees to get your personalized jersey!
What do practices look like?
Practice normally starts off with warm ups, and can also include: tackle drills, foot work drills, scrimmages, walking and practicing plays. Farther in the season, it may also be film watching.
Parents are encourages to join and watch practices! This helps to reinforce what is taught on the field, and allows transparency into in doubt about play time.
When does our child get their gear?
Each season we do a gear suit up day(s) normally mid July. Where you will go, try on all the gear, fill out paperwork and take it home with you.
During gear suit up day, your child should be dressed in: shorts, t-shirt, and easily removable shoes. They will be trying gear on- including helmet, so they may get their hair messed up.
On gear suit up day they will recieve:
Helmet, shoulder pads, practice jersey, practice pants, game pants, belt, simple mouth guard, knee pads.
If your child joins after gear suit up day, the program will arrange a time for you to go and get your gear shortly after registration.
What football gear needs to be purchased?
Cleats and mouthgaurd. Some families choose to also purchase: girdles (5 pad minimum), padded shirts, cups, sleeves, muff, towel.
In October, we wear pink- so you will also see pink socks, pink undershirts, and other pink colored gear.
How often are games?
There is 1 game per weekend- and normally on Saturday, with younger teams in the morning through the day until evening. Games normally start the first Saturday of September, and regular season normally goes until the 3rd week of October. The last weekend of October is normally first round of play-offs, and championship is the second weekend of November.
What does Game day look like?
On the day of a game, we will normally ask that your player is on the field, 1 hour prior to game start time. If your child is not on the field AT LEAST 30 mins prior to game start, they risk not playing for the first half- per League check in requirements.
Games can last 1:30-2 hours long.
Fields can vary- some have bleachers and some do not, some of have concessions and some do not. I always recommend parents to be prepared with seats/blanket and any refreshments they may want.
How will we be communicated to?
You will recieve weekly emails, and occassional messages during the week. We use TeamSnap One as the main platform to communicate, make payments, and manage roster.
What happens during extreme weather?
For High Temperatures:
- 105 +: No practice
- 95-104: Reduction of practice gear to Helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts. Water is required by parents, and also brought by coaches
- 80-94: Practice gear may be reduced, based on need. Water is required by parents, and also brought by coaches
- <79: Water is required by parents, and also brought by coaches
If there is lightening:
During practices- it is immediately cancelled, and you must come pick up your child.
During games- we wait it out, we can play a game 1 hour after the last lightening is seen. This will be determined by the field coordinator
Cheerleading
Cheerleading Information
The Meadowdale cheer team, will cheer for Meadowdale Junior Football teams, and is available for those entering 3rd - 8th grade in the fall of the given season.
The Cheerleaders season runs from August through November, but will be able to participate in any optional activities that rest of the program participates in- such as workouts, camps, or team bonding events. Keep an eye on the calendar on the home page for details.
Practices typically start in August and will be 2-3 days a week for 1.5-2 hours*; this will depend on age/grade level and coaching staff. Practices will typically be the same time and place as the football teams’ practice (MMS). Practice may be relocated or rescheduled for extreme weather. Practice may be modified if we must move to a concrete/paved covered area, as we cannot stunt on concrete or pavement or with wet feet.
We cheer for the Meadowdale Youth Football teams for 7 Saturdays between mid-August through the end of October but bowl games/championship will go until the second Saturday of November. **
Currently, we have 1 multi-age squad. Depending on enrollment, we may have multiple squads. In that case, squads will mostly practice together but support different teams for games and spirit/community building activities. Squad assignments will be announced toward the end of the 1st full week of practice and will be based on a variety of factors including age, ability level/experience, and siblings cheering or playing on a team. Squad assignments are ultimately at the coaches’ discretion. While it is our sincere hope that all cheerleaders get the chance to try all stunting positions that interest them (flyer, base, spotter/group lead), the reality of a multi-age squad, and any squad, is that stunt groups/positions will be assigned based on a variety of factors that include experience, trying to match height of base pairs, physical strength, balance, and most importantly the ability to stay attentive and follow all instructions and safety procedures.
Captains will be chosen based on a variety of factors including experience, grade, understanding of the game, ability to follow the game, and understanding of cheer etiquette between apposing squads. Captains oversee calling cheers and choosing/starting sideline dances. In the case that no cheerleaders are able to understand and follow the game yet, coaches will call the cheers and dances.
Cheerleader & Parent Expectations
- We expect that your Cheerleader shows up to practice, and if they cannot make it- that they contact a coach and notify them.
- In order to keep costs low and to help with scholarships for other kids, we expect the Cheerleaders to participate in fundraising.
- The Cheerleaders, and their parents will follow the same code of conduct as the football players, coaches and football parents- you can find those expectations on the NSJFL website here
- We strive to reuse parts of our uniform, maintain some aspect of a surprise reveal from year-to-year.
- Cheerleaders should wear practice clothing that is easy to move in and fits close to their bodies. Tees or tanks on the fitted side and athletic shorts or leggings are great. Flyers need to avoid any pant that goes past their ankles or is boot cut. Sweatshirts/jackets should also be on the fitted side. Oversized clothing creates a hazard while stunting. Please ask coaches if you have any question about if a clothing item is safe for stunting.
- Absolutely no jewelry of any kind, including stud earrings and claw style hair clips, at
any event where stunting is practiced/performed. A religious medallion may be taped to one’s chest under one’s shirt. Stud earrings in newly pierced ears must be covered, front and back, by band-aids or medical tape. - Hair should be pulled back from the face and shoulders and secured with a soft tie/rubber band. Metal and hard plastic hair accessories are prohibited. Our squad will decide what hair style we want for games, such as ponies or braids, and cheerleaders with long enough hair will all wear the same style. Those with shorter hair and/or boys will try as best they can to coordinate hair styles and keep hair away from faces and off shoulders.
- Nails must be trimmed short
- Please bring all pieces of the uniform to every game. A cheer bag will be included in the uniform fee. The weather is often unpredictable, and we want to be prepared to add/remove layers if needed in a way that maintains uniformity. Coaches will do their best to predict which pieces of the uniform will be needed (such as just shells and skirts or turtlenecks and leggings underneath) and communicate that the evening prior.