BYA will be offering a Buddy Cheer Squad for the 2012 Season

Buddy Cheer

Burleson Youth Association is proud to offer a Buddy Cheer Program for the 2012 Season.  They also cheer at cities in our league such as Aledo, Azle, Brock, Crowley, Granbury, and Weatherford.

The purpose of this program is to offer children with special needs an opportunity to participate in our youth cheer program, to foster the interaction between special needs children and non-special needs children, and to promote mutual feelings of acceptance and respect.  The program is open to all special needs children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old who are physically able to participate in extra-curricular activities.

Registration: April 21st – June 2nd

Late Registration:  June 3rd – August 4^th

BYA Buddy Cheer Information

1. Mission Statement. The purpose of the Buddy Cheer Program is two-fold; to offer children with special needs an opportunity to participate in a youth cheer program, and to foster the interaction between special needs children and non-special needs children in an effort to promote mutual feelings of acceptance and respect for all people that will hopefully stay with all of the participants throughout their lives.

2. Participant Guidelines. The Buddy Cheer Program consists of two types of participants, the special needs participants and their Buddies.

2.1   Special Needs Participants. The program is open to all special needs children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old who are physically able to participate in extra-curricular activities.

2.1.1 Forms. The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of a prospective special needs participant must submit a signed waiver of liability, BYA release form, and Special Friend Questionnaire to the Buddy Cheer Coordinator before their child will be allowed to participate in the program.

2.1.2 Medical Conditions. The prospective participant must be physically able to participate in extra-curricular activities on a regular basis. We don’t want to subject any child through an activity that could possibly aggravate or worsen their physical condition. Any chronic medical conditions must be disclosed to the Buddy Cheer Coordinator in the Special Friends Questionnaire.

2.2 Buddy Participants. Buddies can be any child between the ages of 5 and 11 who wishes to participate in this special youth program.

2.2.1 Forms. The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of a prospective Buddy must submit a , BYA registration form which includes a release form, and Buddy Questionnaire in order to be considered for a Buddy position.

2.2.2 Selection. We do not anticipate turning away any child that wants to help with this endeavor, however, if the Buddy applicants far exceed the need, selection of the Buddies will be made using the following criteria:

a) Returning cheerleader Buddy applicants will have first priority;

b) Ages of the special needs participants will determine the needed age distribution among the Buddies.

2.3 Attachment Requests. Because of the special nature of the Buddy Cheer Program, placement requests can’t be guaranteed.

2.3.1 Special Needs Sibling Requests. Requests to attach a special needs participant with another sibling in the football/cheer program will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

2.3.2 Buddy Sibling Requests. Requests to attach a Buddy with a sibling in the football program will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but requests for special needs sibling attachments will have first priority. We are unable to honor requests to attach a Buddy with another sibling in the cheer program who isn’t a Buddy.

2.4 Fees. There is no cost for special needs participants. Fees for Buddy participation are the regular BYA registration fees for new and returning tackle cheerleaders located on the BYA website and BYA Football/Cheer registration form.

*All participants will be required to purchase basic white tennis shoes.  These can be purchased at Walmart, Target or any athletic store.

3. Uniforms. The uniforms used by all participants in the Buddy Cheer Program are the uniforms used by the parent BYA Cheer Program allowing for any modifications necessary to accommodate a special needs participant. If a uniform needs to be modified, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must inform the Buddy Cheer Coordinator as soon as possible of the need and planned modification.

4. Codes of Conduct. The participants and coaches in the Buddy Cheer Program are bound by the rules set forth in the BYA cheer rules and BYA code of conduct with the exception of the following sections:

a. Practice Schedules. Special needs participants might encounter different daily restrictions from our Buddies so it is understood that a special needs participant may have to miss practice more often. Special needs participants won’t be subject to any disciplinary measures for missed practices.

b. Fundraising. The Buddy Cheer Squad won’t require parents to participate in a squad specific fundraiser. However, the Buddy Cheer Coordinator will anonymously survey all parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to evaluate the need for team funds for any extra activities such as homecoming or an end-of-the-year party. Obtaining funding for these items will be decided by all of the participants’ parents or legal guardians.

5. Duty to Report.  Pursuant to Texas Family Code § 261.101, a person who has cause to believe that a child has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect shall immediately make a report. A report is required when a person has cause to believe that a child has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect. The Buddy Cheer Program recognizes that special needs children are especially susceptible to abuse. Coaches and other Buddy Cheer Program volunteers must undergo training to recognize indicators of abuse and how to report suspected abuse.

For more information please contact:

Cheryl Schwarzer 817-381-6546 or clschwarzer@yahoo.com

BYA Buddy Cheer Squad Sponsors

We are currently looking for sponsors!  If you would like to help or need more information,  please contact Cheryl.