CHEER IS A GO FOR ALL ATHLETES FROM GRADES K-8!

COMPETITION TEAMS ARE IN FOR A FULL SEASON FOR GRADES 2-8!

IRCA, our competitive cheer association, has announced their competitions are officially a go! There are many adjustments they’ve made in order to keep the athletes safe. Those can all be found on the Competitions page of this website. We are finalizing details around exact days, times and locations, but here is an overview of how our Competition Cheer season will look:

• REGULAR SEASON PRACTICE: 
• ALL COMPETITON TEAMS WILL PRACTICE ON TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS.  Flames Cheer has a HOME GYM at Formula 1 Cheer located at 65 Oakwood Rd. 
•   2x per week for 2 hours on Tuesdays & Thursdays with  a third  on Fridays once a month  will begin the 2nd week of August. This Season lasts about 20 weeks. All Competition Teams also cheer at 4 Saturday Football Games.
• OPTIONAL DAY CAMP: We are attending the IRCA Camp Castaway at Carthage College from June 11-13.  This camps is optional and not part of the standard season registration fee.  The cost of camp is $400 per athlete and includes your camp attire.
• COMPETITIONS:  Flames will participate in  3 competitions . Teams that qualify will also participate in the State Championship. Please note that the $155 registration fee for State is NOT included in the regular season registration fee. If your child's team qualifies for State you will need to pay the $155 State registration fee.
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  • December 3-5:  State Championship

Tumbling More Important Than Ever!
Due to Illinois restrictions on youth sports (possibility of no stunting), tumbling is now more important than ever.    We strongly suggest that every athlete registered for Cheer at any level take tumbling classes on their own.   There are several excellent gyms in the area that will provide group or private classes.  These classes are not required  and are at an additional cost to the family.  
 

CHOREOGRAPHY:  All competition teams are REQUIRED TO ATTEND CHOREOGRAPHY.  We are allowed 12 hours of professional choreography per team.  It is imperative that the whole team is present.  Missing choreography could potentially change or eliminate your athlete's position.  They will still be in the routine, but their spot or position may be changed.  Please mark the following dates for choreography:

*Choreography will take place at Formula 1 Cheer Gym in Lake Zurich*

Flare (Grades2-3): July 17 and 18 from 8am-12pm,  July 23 from 8am-10am and July 24 from 2:30-4:30.

*Season Practice will be Tuesday & Thursday 4:30-6:30 with 1 Friday per month 5:30-7:30*

Blaze (Grades4-5): July 17 and 18 from 1pm-5pm, July 20 from 5:30pm-7:30pm and July 23 from 10am-12pm

*Season Practice will be Tuesday & Thursday 5:30-7:30 with 1 Friday per month 5:30-7:30*

Inferno (Grades6-8): July 23 from 1pm-5pm, July 24 from 10am-2pm and July 25 from 10am-2pm   

*Season Practice  will be Tuesday & Thursday 6:30-8:30 with 1 Friday per month 5:30-7:30*

***Competition teams will ultimately be based on registration numbers NOT grade level.  Some teams may have one grade level instead of 2 or 3  if the registration allows.  In that case a new team will be created***

GAME CHEER UPDATE
NEW THIS YEAR: Game Cheer is open for all athletes from Kindergarten to 8th Grade!

IGNITE- Game Cheer 2nd-8th Grades Will practice 2x a week  for 1 hour and will begin the second week of August.  Games will be once a week on Saturdays.  Times will vary based on the amount of games at Knox Park. The Season lasts about 15 weeks (playoffs determine the length of the season).  Ignite will be divided randomly (not specifically by  grade) if needed so YES siblings can cheer together!  

Practice will be Tuesday & Thursday from 5:00-6:00

5th -8th Grade Athletes registered for Game Cheer are invited and encouraged to attend the IRCA camp listed above in Competition Cheer. It's a great way to get back into cheer, build new skills and connect with their teammates.

FLASH- KINDERGARTEN-1ST GRADE GAME CHEER: Flash has a 12 week Season beginning in August.  They will practice once per week for 1 hour and Cheer every Sunday.  Practice will be Tuesday nights from 6:00-7:00.  Flash is a great way to introduce your child to the Flames Cheer Program.  This team will learn how to do proper Cheer Jumps and Motions and learn the majority of Flames Sideline Cheers.  Cheer Dances will be taught and performed along with beginner Stunts. The uniform for Flash is provided by the Flames along with a game bow.  Plain white gym shoes are required and not provided.  
 

UNIFORMS: All uniforms are bought by the participant with the exception of Flash.  Game Cheer and Competition Cheer will need to purchase their own uniform.   The fitting is scheduled for May 25-26 from 5:30pm-8pm.  Details to follow.

*May 25 is Game Cheer Fitting at Knox Park 5:30-7:30

*May 26 is Competition Cheer Fitting at Knox Park 5:30-7:30

PRACTICE ATTIRE: Practice Shirts and bows will be provided through your registration.

SHOES: All athletes must purchase their own shoes.  Shoes must be clean and white. 

WARM UPS:  Full warm ups are no longer required.  We ask all cheerleaders to purchase the Flames Cheer Jacket.  This will be worn in colder weather with black leggings. *Flash will purchase the Flames hoodie instead*

COACHES AND PRACTICE VOLUNTEERS
We are looking for parents who want to get involved with coaching and leading practices. There are many ways to be involved: head coach, assistant coach, spotter, specialty coach, leading warmups and conditioning, etc. You do not need to be a cheer expert to be a coach. Please reach out to Nicole Schultes or Stephenie Saric to learn how you can be involved!

We're so excited our Flames Cheer program has grown by leaps and bounds. We love seeing so many athletes in the program. But more cheerleaders means more coaches, assistant coaches, and junior coaches! If you're interested in being involved with coaching, don't worry, training will be provided! Please reach out and let us know what interests you. Contact Gretchen Donaldson at gretchendonaldson@lzflames.org.

The links below are for programs that support the Lake Zurich Flames Cheer Program.  We thank them for their continued support.