Duxbury Youth Cheer

Duxbury Youth Cheer is a competitive cheerleading program! We support the Duxbury Youth Football teams and participate in four local competitions.

Program Directors:

• Tracy Mayo
• Luba Gilpatric
• Katie McNamara
• Erin Taddia
• Jen Carley

What does gameday look like?

Your child will cheer at at least 8 games, a combination of home and away. Games last about 90 minutes. Athletes should arrive in uniform with only a water bottle and clean white cheer sneakers. Cheers will be performed during the game, with a halftime routine performed facing the home team’s side at halftime.

What does a competition day look like?

You’ll need to arrive in full uniform and makeup on time with clean white cheer sneakers. You’ll meet as a team before checking in with your coaches. Parents will say goodbye. From there, the team will remain together and move through a series of warm-ups before competing on the mat. Your athlete is required to stay through the entire awards ceremony unless otherwise discussed with your coach. Please do not take your child until the coaches and/or team mom have released them to you. Competitions last a few hours. Typically, the younger kids compete earlier in the day, and the older kids compete during lunchtime or later. 

What is the cheer uniform? 

The cheer uniform is a long-sleeved athletic top paired with an athletic skort (skirt + shorts). You must purchase white cheer shoes (the brand doesn’t matter) and white no-show socks. Athletes must wear their hair according to their coaches’ instructions with a program bow. Makeup for competitions typically consists of a red lip, blush, and mascara. 

How will coaches communicate with me? 

All communications and scheduling will occur in the Crossbar app. You’ll be able to view your entire season’s schedule, including practice times and locations, game times and locations when available, and competitions. There is a chat feature to message your coaches directly. 

What must my child wear to games when the weather gets cold?

A Duxbury cheer jacket is available to order. We’ll have the same jacket as in years past, so please continue to use yours if you still have it. The athletes must match during games, so this is a required purchase if you don’t have one. Black flare leggings are also needed, although we do not have a required brand. We ask that they be plain black flare pants that can be slipped over their cheer shoes. If you have program pants from years prior, you may wear those! Jackets will be worn over their uniform—black flare leggings to be worn under their skirt, but over the shorts portion of the skirt. 

What is Red Zone? 

Red Zone is any week, beginning on a Sunday, leading up to a competition. We understand that conflicts and illnesses will inevitably arise during the cheer season. However, your athlete must attend practice(s) during a Red Zone week, even if they are sick, so they don’t miss anything important in preparation for the upcoming competition. If your athlete is missing from a Red Zone practice, they may be ineligible to participate in that week’s competition. Choreographed routines require full participation. Otherwise, choreography must be reworked, and the athletes must learn a modified routine. In short, it’s not fun or convenient for anyone involved. Other districts enforce this policy, which we believe is fair for all. 

I’m not sure cheer is for my child. What can I do?

If you feel you cannot commit to the 2026 season, we encourage you to speak with your coaches as soon as possible. If you submit a note to your coaches before your child’s choreography session in August, you will receive a full refund.

1. I will try my best and always be kind, respectful, and supportive of all cheer staff and teammates during all practices, games, and competitions.
2. I will show good sportsmanship to all other teams during all games and competitions. 
3. I will adhere to all uniform requirements, never wear jewelry, and keep my nails at an athletic length (no press-ons or acrylics allowed).
4. Band-aids over earrings are not allowed.
5. No exceptions will be made for newly pierced ears (this is for safety reasons)
6. I understand that if I am absent from choreography, I will not be allowed to participate in the cheerleading program and will receive a full refund.
7. I will attend all practices, tumbling/choreo sessions, and competitions.
8. I will notify the coaching staff immediately if there is a known conflict with any competition date BEFORE the 2026 cheerleading season begins.
9. I understand that if I am absent from a Red Zone practice, I may not be eligible to compete that weekend.  
10. I understand that my coaches must adjust the choreography, and my teammates must learn the modified routine during an extra practice if I am absent from a competition due to unavoidable conflict or a Red Zone penalty. 
11. I understand my uniform is the property of the Duxbury Youth Cheerleading Program and must be kept clean. It must be washed inside out with cold water after each game and competition and line-dried. I will wear deodorant to prevent permanent odor damage. 

Agreement

By signing below, we confirm that we have read, understood, and agree to the expectations outlined above. We agree to abide by these terms and support the Duxbury Youth Cheerleading Program with integrity and a positive attitude. 

Parent Name:_________________ Parent Signature:____________________

Athlete Name:________________ Athlete Signature: ___________________