CHEERLEADING / POMS FAQs

What are the Falcon Cheer registration fees? $260 before May 1st; $310 after May 1st (if space permits)

What do the fees include? Franchise fees, competition bow, competition fees, uniform rental, practice space rental, Falcon Fest admission, team mom safety certifications, coach’s clinic, registration fee, misc... Squad expenses

Do I have to buy a uniform? No. Falcon Cheer provides the uniform. It must be returned in good condition at the end of the season.

Are there other items I need to purchase? Yes. There are mandatory SpiritWear items you will be required to buy at our SpiritWear sale. 1st year cost is approximately $100-$150. We encourage parents to buy “big” so the cheerleader can use the clothing for more than one year.

What is the refund policy? Refund requests are accepted through the first full week of practice. Amount refunded will be amount paid less $50. See refund policy

When does the cheer season start? Practice may begin as early as July 1st at the coach’s discretion. Mandatory practice begins the 2nd week of August.

What time/day is practice? In the summer, squads practice 4 days a week for 2 hours each day until school starts. Days/times are at the coach’s discretion. Once school starts practice is usually 2 times per week for 1 1/2hrs.in the evenings. All days/times are at the individual coach’s discretion.

Where is practice? Summer practice is held at various parks in the Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills area. Once school begins most cheer squads will practice indoors at Westmont Yard in Westmont.

Are practices Mandatory? Yes. See Cheer Attendance Policy

When are the games? Games are played on Saturdays and Sundays beginning Labor Day weekend thru mid/November. You will cheer on either Sat. or Sun. every weekend.

When will I know the game schedule? The Bill George Youth Football League www.bgyfl.org posts the schedule in late August.

Where are the games? Home games are played at Brook Park in Hinsdale (3rd St. & Columbia in the Woodlands). Away games can be anywhere from 20 min to 1 hour away.

Are football games mandatory? Yes. See Cheer Attendance Policy

When does the season end? The regular season ends in mid/November. If a squad qualifies for the IRCA State Competition and decides to participate, their season will continue thru early December.

Do the cheerleaders participate in Competitions? Yes. 4th grade competes in one Competition; 5th thru 8th competes in two Competitions each season.

Are the Competitions mandatory? Yes. See Cheer Attendance Policy

What are the Competition dates? You will be given the Competition dates at your squad meeting in May.

What is a pom squad? Pom squads cheer at football games and practice a limited amount of stunting. However, they perform a Pom/Dance routine at the competitions.

Who will coach my daughter? Falcon Cheer is an ALL VOLUNTEER organization. Two parent volunteers from each squad will be “team coaches” and 3-4 past Falcon cheerleaders will be “teen coaches.”

Will my daughter be placed on a squad with her friends? If you join Falcons the initial year (entering 4th grade) you have a greater chance of being placed with girls from your school. If you join after 4th grade there are limited openings and we can make no guarantees you will get the squad of your choice. We will, however, try our best to put at least two girls together from the same school whenever possible.

When is the MANDATORY Parent Meeting for my daughter’s squad? In May. You will be informed by your coach on time and location.