Timberlane Tornadoes Football and Cheer



Cheer Program

Frequently Asked Questions 

When does the season start and end?

The season starts with our cheer camp in early August and ends in early/mid-November.

When is TJF Cheer camp & is it Mandatory?

Cheer Camp will be held in early August (Specific dates TBD) behind the SAU in the practice fields. The camp is not mandatory, but highly recommended for those joining/returning to the program. We will go over cheer basics such as motions, cheers, jumps, tumbling, and stunting as well as play some games and get to know our teammates.

If your cheerleader is on the fence about signing up this year, please consider attending the camp as there are no registration refunds offered once practices begin.

Does TJF Cheer compete?

Yes! All levels of the TJF Cheer program will attend at least one and as many as four competitions during the season. These competitions also are most often held on Saturday mornings/early afternoons.

How are teams split & who is my kid’s coach?

We have four cheer teams split by grades/ages. We do this to meet age requirements and play fairly on both the football and cheer side. See below for how teams are split & the head coaches for each team:

Can my cheerleader cheer for a sibling’s football team? / Can I keep my kids together on the same cheer team?

If the children’s ages work out that way, yes. However, due to safety concerns and age restrictions we must follow when it comes to forming our competition/football teams, we will not move a cheerleader out of their assigned team. In the past our TJF program parents have been great at working together and taking turns carpooling to games and practices to make the lives of those with kids in multiple activities easier.

When & Where are Practices?

At the beginning of the season, we will practice outside either in the fields behind the SAU or behind the Timberlane Regional Middle School. Practices start the week following cheer camp. Exact schedules for the early part of the season are still TBD but will be solidified by mid-June to early July. 

Once the weather gets cooler, we will move indoors and shift our focus onto competition routines. We practice in various locations such as the Timberlane High School, Timberlane Middle School, the elementary schools in the district, and local cheer gyms. Exact locations and practice schedules for when we move indoor are TBD and depend of the availability of these various locations. This part of the season’s practice schedule should be solidified after school starts in September.

Here is how we have formatted practice schedules in the past for our different teams:

When & Where are Games?

Football games are most often held on Saturday mornings or early afternoons. All Home games are held at the Timberlane Regional High School field. Addresses and check-in times for away games will be sent out the week of the game. Furthest away game in prior years has been about an hour drive, depending on traffic.

What kind of gear does TJF provide and what does my cheerleader need?

TJF will provide the following items for the uniform:

• TJF Uniform Shell (Covered by uniform security deposit)

• TJF Uniform Skirt (Covered by uniform security deposit)

• Bow (Cheerleaders keep at end of season)

Your cheerleader will need the following items to complete their uniform:

• Cheer sneakers

  • Any light-weight white athletic sneaker

• Black bloomers

  • Black form-fitting athletic shorts for under the uniform

• White Long-sleeved Turtleneck undershirt

  • White undershirt for under the uniform

What should my cheerleader bring/wear to practice?

• Hair tied back and off the face
• No jewelry (if item has religious symbolism and cannot be removed, item must be athletic taped to the cheerleader's body)
• Wear cheer sneakers
• Wear body fitting cheer shorts/leggings and a tank or t-shirt (no loose clothing)
• No apparel with zippers or hoods
• Bring a smile and a positive attitude
• Bug spray is recommended for outdoor practices

Reminder that your cheerleader is responsible for personal items, not the coaches. Please leave valuables (jewelry, money, iPods, phones, etc.) at home. Cheerleaders are responsible as a team for leaving the practice area clean. It is not the duty of the coaching staff or the high school field maintenance staff to clean up water bottles or rescue the clothing left behind. Please check the field to make sure there is no trash and that you're going home with all of your belongings.

Can my cheerleader be involved in other sports during the season?

Yes – to an extent. We are willing to work with conflicting schedules so that kids can stay involved in other activities. However, toward the competition part of our season, we need our cheerleaders focused and knowledgeable about the role they play and how their teammates depend on their attendance to fully practice their routine. This is why due to safety and confidence concerns, if your cheerleader is not able to be present for all practices, they may not be able to participate in certain stunts/activities in our competition routines.