SYA Competition Cheerleading

SYA Extreme lives up to its name – SYA Extreme is a year-round cheerleading league open to boys and girls ages 5-19 where athletes pick up all the moves and choreography they’ll need to compete locally, regionally, and nationally.

When does the season start?

Tryouts are held in May/June, and preliminary teams are determined. Athletes practice throughout the summer, working on tumbling and stunting skills. If requested, athletes may be re-evaluated in August for an higher level team.  Mandatory team practices begin in August after the start of school.

Extreme teams begin competing in January. Five to seven competitions are scheduled for the season from January to April/May, with the final competition held in May. Competitions are generally held on Saturdays and Sundays.

When does the season end?

The final competition is typically held in May.

When do practices start?

Practices begin in June. Athletes are trained for both the sideline cheer and competition season. If you cheer for Extreme you are automatically require to cheer for Sideline cheer in the fall. The only exceptions is if there are not enough football teams to cheer for or home games to cheer at, Extreme athletes may be unable to cheer.

When do games start?

Competition Cheerleading focuses on competitions and not football games. To learn about cheerleading at football games, see Sideline Cheerleading.

Where will the games be?

Competitions are primarily held in Maryland and Virginia, with the possibility of travel to other states for special end-of-season competitions, such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, and New Jersey.

Are there evaluations/tryouts? When?

Group tryouts for SYA Extreme Competition Cheer are held in May/June. Private evaluations may be requested.

What are the registration dates for all SYA sports?

Competitions are generally held on Saturdays and Sundays. The Final competition is held in early may. Specific competition schedules will be shared once available.

When do I get my child’s schedule?

Approximately two weeks before the start of the season.

Teams are divided into different levels based on age and skill level.

• Level 1 (Mini and Youth): Extreme Mist, Extreme Tornado, and Extreme Lightning
• Level 2.1 (Junior): Extreme Heatwave and Extreme Storm
• Level 3 (Junior and Senior): Extreme Frost and Extreme Thunder
• Level 4 (Senior): Extreme Black Ice

SYA Cheerleading is open to boys and girls ages 5-18. Families will receive a $15 multi-child discount.

Fees for New Extreme Members: $1800 (payable in 10 monthly installments of $180 plus a credit card service fee with all accounts paid in full before the last competition).

Fees for Returning Extreme Members: $1500 (payable in 10 monthly installments of $150 plus a credit card service fee with all accounts paid in full before the last competition).

Program Fees for New Members Cover:

• Competition Registration Fees
• Competition Cheer Uniform(s)
• Competition Cheer Tennis Shoes
• Gym overhead costs (insurance, rent, utilities, administrative fees, etc.)
• Warm-up Jacket
• Practice Wear
• Backpack
• Bow(s)
• Choreography
• Music, etc.

Program Fees for Returning Members Cover:

• Competition Registration Fees
• Competition Cheer Uniform(s)
• Gym overhead costs (insurance, rent, utilities, administrative fees, etc.)
• Practice Wear
• Bow(s)
• Choreography
• Music, etc.

The fee for returning members does not include costs for cheer shoes, a replacement backpack, and a replacement warm-up jacket. You may order these on the day of sizing, with payment due in full if required.

Travel Expenses

Hotel accommodations, gas, food, competition admission fees for family and friends, parking are unfortunately not included in program fees and will not be reimbursed by SYA Extreme.

Crossover Fees

Athletes participating on more than one team may be required to pay an additional crossover fee, which will be determined at the end of August. The fee will range from approximately $100 to $400, depending on the competitions selected for the season.

Acceptable Payments Options

The system accepts Visa or MasterCard & online checks (your registration is not FINAL until your check payment is received). You may pay your registration fees, and make donations during online registration. You may register multiple players online as well and receive a multiple player discount.

SYA offers scholarships to all SYA participants of all recreational sports who qualify under the Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services program. To learn more about SYA scholarships, click here.

• Uniforms
• Practice wear
• Cheer shoes
• Bows
• Socks

Are there equipment rentals?

No, there are no equipment rentals, but see the uniform requirements above.

Where do I get equipment?

SYA Extreme provides uniforms, practice wear, shoes, and other necessary items for competition.

Are uniforms/jerseys provided?

Uniforms are provided and must be returned at the end of the season. Supplemental items like bows and socks may need to be purchased.

Is there a picture day?

SYA Extreme takes pictures in March/April, depending on the competition schedule.

Should you have specific questions regarding cheerleading, please refer to the appropriate person below.

SYA Cheerleading Board of Directors

Questions pertaining to SYA Cheer’s Sideline Program and Extreme Competition Cheer Program should be sent to our Commissioner, Tammy McCarron, at [email protected].

For other questions: [email protected] 

Full participation is expected from all members of the cheer team. Missing practices or games negatively affects the team.

Valid reasons for missing practice are:

• Contagious Illness / Injury
• Death in Family
• Mandatory School Function that is for a GRADE such as Band / Choir Concert / Testing, etc.

Athletes should notify their coach via email, phone, and/or text at least one (1) hour prior to the expected absence. You are expected to be at practices, games, and/or performances, unless you are injured and/or suffering from a contagious illness.

Competition cheer teams cheer in inclement weather unless otherwise notified by the coach.

There are no boundary requirements for this sport.

Coaches

SYA Extreme Competition Cheer Coaches prepare our athletes for high school team placement – they’ve completed the USA Cheer Safety and Risk Management safety course and our Cheer Commissioner is a registered and certified member of USA Cheer.

Training

• Classic and Advanced Cheer Techniques
• Jumps
• Stunting
• Dance
• Tumbling

Experience our free tumbling classes, private lessons, and open gyms!

Cheer Teams Schedule

• Competition Season: Spring
• Playoff and Championship Games (November)
• SYA Cheerleading Night at Centreville High School and Westfield High School, Homecoming Parades, and the VHSL Regional Cheer Competition.

Fundraising Activities

Our voluntary fundraisers include bake sales, cookie dough sales, car washes, Krispy Kreme doughnut sales, Scentsy, raffles, jewelry, spirit wear, gift wrap, etc. Fundraising for the gym supports general program costs and gym upkeep, while individual fundraising will be deducted from individual accounts for program fees.