2024 CHEER SEASON

Newington Knights offers Flag and Competitive cheer. Flag cheer is for 5-7 year olds (typically Kindergarten to 2nd grade), Competitive cheer starts at age 8. 

FLAG CHEER (AGE 5-7 AS OF JULY 31ST)

Overview:  Practice and games are typically held 2 times a week for 1-1.5 hours. Practices and games are held at Clem Lemire Field. Please continue to check our calendar on the home page for more information as we build our season.

You will need to provide white socks and sneakers for games as well as white leggings and long sleeve tops for cooler weather games.

FLAG CHEER FAQ - 

Q-What is included with my $125 registration?

      Season cost, uniform, pom poms, cheer bow (all yours to keep except for the skirt) plus $25 mandatory fundraising participation fee.

Q-What additional items will I need to buy?

      White sneakers, white leggings.

Q-Can you explain the fundraising fee?

     There is a mandatory $25 fee. You will have an opportunity to earn this back by participating in our Snap Raise fundraiser if you earn $50 or more.  

Q-How do I know which program to sign my child up for based on their age?

      Our Flag cheer program starts at age 5.  If their birthday is between 8/1/2016 and 7/31/2019 you will register for our Flag cheer program. If their birthday is on or before 7/31/2016 you will register for our Competitive cheer program.

Q-I heard there is more than 1 Flag cheer team, can you tell me about this?

      We have split our Cheerleaders into Minis and Mighties. This is based on age and experience and will be determined at the start of the season.

Q-Can you tell me when the season starts and ends?

      The Flag cheer season will begin on TBD and our last regular season game will be on TBD. The final game and season celebration date TBD.

Q-What are the days and times of practice?

       Practices will be held a Clem Lemire field with our youngest flag cheerleaders practicing from 6-7pm and our older flag cheerleaders practicing from 6-7:30pm. Games will likely be Thursday and/or Sunday, dates TBD.

Q-Do I need to stay at the field during practices/games?

      We do not require you to stay however we ask that you stay local in instances where the weather is questionable for rain/thunderstorms.

Q-Is there any paperwork I need to complete?

       No, we gather all the necessary information during the registration process, no further documents or paperwork needed.

Q-When will I hear from the Knights or my child’s coaches in preparation for the season?

      You should get a welcome email when you register and then likely there won’t be any  further communication until close to the start of the season.

Q-How will the coaches communicate with parents?

      We are in the process of exploring communication options. 

Q-Who’s who?

      Kelvin Perez is the President of Newington Knights Youth Football and Cheer

      Abby Wood  and Amy Perrotti are the Co-VPs of Cheerleading of Newington Knights Youth Football and Cheer

      OPEN is the Flag Coordinator who will oversee all things related to our Flag Program as a whole (both football and cheer). Please reach out if you are interested in this position! 

      Each team will have Coaches and Student Demonstrators (these are past Knight’s cheerleaders or current Newington High School cheerleaders who volunteer their time to assist in the sport they love!)

      We are ALWAYS seeking coaches (no experience necessary, we have all started somewhere), if you have interest in helping out please contact Abby/Amy at [email protected]

COMPETITIVE CHEER (AGE 8 AND UP AS OF JULY 31ST)

Overview: Our season begins August 1 and runs through October with the possibility of post-season competitions into early December. Teams are determined at the start of the season and are based on factors such as experience and age.

Practices will take place at a combination of Clem Lemire Field and indoor practice space. August conditioning will take place M-F from 6-8pm. After August conditioning, practice is typically held 3 times per week for up to 2 hours with games on the weekend (TBD).

Registration cost also includes your cheerleaders Spirit/Apparel Package for the 2023 season. You will also need to provide white cheerleading sneakers for game day use.

COMP CHEER FAQ -

Q-What is included with my $375 registration?

      Season cost, uniform (returned at the end of the season), pom poms for use at games (property of NKYF&C), warm-ups, competition sneakers, 3 cheer bows, assorted t shirts, mandatory $25 fundraising fee.

Q-What additional items will I need to buy?

       White game day cheerleading sneakers (we have some donated ones with life left at the field that you are welcome to look through), competition spectator tickets if desired, most coaches request black practice clothing.

Q-Can you explain fundraising fee?

         There is a mandatory $25 fee. You will have an opportunity to earn this back by participating in our Snap Raise fundraiser if you earn $50 or more. 

Q-How do I know which program to sign my child up for based on their age?

       If your child’s birthday is on or before 7/31/2016 you will register for our Competitive Cheer program. 

Q-What can you tell me about games?

      We have 8 weeks of regular season games. They almost always take place on a Sunday and begin Labor Day weekend. We typically are home for half of them and away for half of them. Possible travel of up to an hour away. Games generally last 2 hours and we arrive 45-60 minutes prior to game for warm-up.

Q-What are the practice times/locations?

      Our season begins 8/1/2024 We practice M-Th evenings (with the potential of adding Friday) from 6-8 pm until school starts. Once school starts we move to 3 days a week from 6-8 pm. Days and locations (a combination of Clem Lemire field and Newington Public School with possibility of other local venues as needed) will vary based on coaches and space availability and we will let you know ASAP once we have secured that schedule.

Q-What type of commitment is cheerleading?

       It is important to note that nothing is optional. ALL practices and games are mandatory. If you have a commitment that will keep your child from attending on a regular basis please reach out to Abby/Amy to discuss if this will be possible to accommodate. Absences have an enormous impact on the ability of the team to properly build skills and prepare for competitions. Please note that the commitment can possibly extend into December should the team excel and place for Nationals. You are making a commitment at registration that you are willing to extend the season if needed through that time and if your child’s team were to advance your child would attend all competitions.

Q-Do I need to stay during practices/games?

      We prefer our practices to be closed to parents. We have found over the years that kids are less distracted and participate better overall in practice without their parents around. If you leave the field during our outdoor practices we ask that you remain close in case of inclement weather. We welcome any and all spectators at games and competitions! The more the merrier!

Q- What are the important dates I need to know?

-April 22st: Registration opens

-July 15: Registration closes

-July 15: Meet the coaches night , uniform fitting and finalize registration

-August 1: First day of practice

-September TBD: First Games

Competition Dates:

States (New Haven, CT) - October 12

Locals (New Haven, CT) - October 26 (PM Session)

Regionals TBD - November 9-10 (must qualify)

Nationals TBD - December 9-14 (must qualify)

Q-What paperwork do I need to complete?

      Most paperwork will be automatically populated when you register, you will have to go back in and digitally sign 2 forms.  Any additional required paperwork will be sent via email and will be on our website to turn in on July 15. We will also need an original birth certificate that you will get back near the end of August. PLEASE NOTE! Your child WILL NOT be permitted to begin the season without all the necessary paperwork turned in.

Q-When will I hear from the Knights or my child’s coaches in preparation for the season?

       You should get a welcome email when you register and possibly some contact during the spring, however our communication will really engage as we get closer to the season.

Q-How will the coaches communicate with parents?

     We are in the process of exploring communication options. 

Q-Who’s who?

-Kelvin Perez is the President of Newington Knights Youth Football and Cheer

-Abby Wood  and Amy Perrotti are the Co-VP s of Cheerleading of Newington Knights Youth Football and Cheer

-Each team will have Coaches and Student Demonstrators (these are past Knight’s cheerleaders or current Newington High School cheerleaders who volunteer their time to assist in the sport they love!)

-We are ALWAYS seeking coaches (no experience necessary, we have all started somewhere), if you have interest in helping out please contact Abby at  [email protected]

Q-Is there a deadline for registering?

      Registration will close July 15, 2024. If you are just learning about our program and it is before August 1, please reach out to Abby/Amy at  [email protected] to discuss.