Frequently Asked Questions
When is Registration for the 2017-2018 Season?
Please Note: All Registrations take place at: Victory Apostolic Church 20801 Matteson Ave. Matteson, IL 60443
Registration for Competition Teams wlll be held in Spring/Summer. Registration for the Performance/Basketball Cheer Team will be held in the Fall 2015.
Do Team Members have to be members of Victory Apostolic Church?
No!
Victory Thunderettes has Team Members throughout the southern suburban area. There are several participating members who are not members of Victory Apostolic Church. We always welcome families within the community to visit Victory and worship with us, however, membership at Victory is never a requirement for participation in any of Victory's Youth Ministry Programs.
We also encourage you to get your child involved in other exciting Youth and Young Adult Ministry activities at Victory, such as: Jr. Vessels of Victory Youth Choir, F.Y.R.E. Choir (teens and young adults), Petite Praise and Jr. Instruments of Praise Dance Ministry, Girl Scouts, D2BD Teen Bible Study, R.U.T.H. (young ladies mentoring), ABBA Father (male mentoring), SRT (Silver Ring Thing -Teen Abstinence Program), A.R.I.S.E. Teen Bible Study, and S.P.O.R.T.S. Ministry Baseball and Basketball Teams.
What is the cost of the cheerleading program?
2017-2018 TEAM MEMBER FEES
Limited space available for all Team Levels. All New Team Members entering the Pre-K/Kindergarten Pearls Team Level must provide a copy of the child's birth certificate for age verification. Pearls must be four years of age by September 1, 2017.
Join the Victory Thunderettes Youth Cheer Team for just $200 (for Performance/Basketball Season Cheer) or $275 (for Competition Season Cheer). Returning Team Members received a significantly discounted rate if they completed payment requirements during Early Registration. Payments can be made in installments, however, all Payments must be completed by 12/1/17 to avoid late fees.
Installment, Refund, Transfer, and Late Fee Policy
The final day to request a refund for the Performance/Basketball Cheer Season for payments made during September/October Registration is 11/30. All refund requests must be presented formally, in writing, on or before the deadlines date listed. There is a thirty to forty-five day processing length for refunds which meet the criteria. Payment of fees cannot be transferred to another person, or cheerleading season. A $50 Late Fee will apply to any Performance/Basketball Season accounts not paid in full by 12/1/17 and must be paid by 12/18/17 in order for your child to be placed on the final team roster. All fees must be paid in full before your child will receive a uniform shell, skirt, and poms for performances.
Competition Team Refund Policy
$75 deposit is non-refundable for the competition team. After July 31st $100 is non-refundable. After August 31st payments are not refundable. All refund requests must be presented formally, in writing, on or before the deadlines date listed. There is a thirty to forty-five day processing length for refunds which meet the criteria. Payment of fees cannot be transferred to another person, or competition season.
Acceptable Payment Methods
Payments are accepted by cash and check (made payable to: Victory Apostolic Church. On the memo section of the check, you must write "Thunderettes Cheerleading" along with your child's name). There is a $20 processing fee for returned checks.
Installment Policy
Begin your registration early and Pay Over Time! Contact us during the months of May through August and schedule an appointment and secure your child's space on the Team with a deposit. The remaining balance can be paid at your convenience, as long as the payments are completed by the due date.
What is included with the $200 Basketball Season New Team Member Registration Fee?
New Team Member Registration fee includes purchase of the following accessories (along with use of the Thunderettes Team shell, skirt, and poms): Mid-drift top, boy shorts, flip top socks, accessory bag, hair bow, and cheerleading shoes. It is advised that you consider ordering an additional hair bow and pair of flip top socks, as all accessories are required to be worn for every performance. Snacks for each night of practice are also included in the registration fee.
What is included with the Basketball Season Returning Team Member Fee?
The Returning Team Member fee includes use of the Thunderettes Team shell, skirt, and poms, along with snacks for each night of practice. Any needed accessories for returning Team Members may be purchased in October or November during the Thunderettes Spiritwear Accessory sale.
Are there any additional fees associated with the program?
Returning Team Members and all Competition Team Members may have additional fees for the purchase of required accessory items. Other fees such as payment for spirit wear, team photos, or tumbling classes are optional.
Are there any discounts for Team Members available?
Due to the remarkably low returning Team Member incentives for participation with the Victory Thunderettes Youth Cheer Team, discounts will ONLY be applied in the following manner
· A 10% discount is only available to families where two or more siblings (family members within the same household), are registering for their first year of participation in the Basketball Season program at the same time. This 10% discount only applies to the second child registering for the program, and will be applied to the final registration payment.
· A 15% discount is only available to families where three or more siblings (family members within the same household), are registering for their first year of participation in the Basketball Season program at the same time. This 15% discount applies to the third child registering for the program, and will be applied to the final registration payment.
No discounts are available for the Competition Team component of the program. No discounts are available to any Returning Team Member who does not complete the previous cheerleading season. All fees for the previous cheerleading season must be paid in full in order to receive the Returning Team Member incentive price at registration.
Is Payment Assistance Available for the Program?
Unfortunately, Victory Thunderettes Youth Cheer Team does not provide payment assistance. However, the Expect a Miracle Foundation in Lake Zurich, IL provides opportunities for single parents to receive assistance with activity fees for their children. The Foundation must receive forms sixty days in advance of the start of the program.
For more information on this program, please visit their website:
http://www.expectamiraclefoundation.org/
What separates Victory Thunderettes Youth Cheer Team from other local cheerleading organizations?
Victory Thunderettes Youth Cheer Team is a MNISTRY. Our primary focus is the spiritual development of our Team Members and their families. We use the sport of cheerleading as a vehicle to promote health, physical fitness, and fun in an environment led by members of Victory Apostolic Church. Our price is far lower than that of other local organizations, as our goal is to provide a program where parents can afford to provide the best quality throughout their childs' elementary school years to prepare them for high school and college cheerleading programs. Our Coaches have a vested interest in the growth and development of every child in the program, and we provide annual background searches, and ongoing training for all of our Coaching Staff. Our Team Members cheer at basketball games, and participate in community service events.
How do I become a Victory Thunderettes Youth Cheer Team Coach or Junior Coach?
Please visit our tab within this website entitled, "Leadership Team" for detailed information regarding coaching requirements.
What are my responsibilities as a Parent of a participant on the Victory Thunderettes Youth Cheer Team?
· Payment of registration fees and/or purchase of required accessories by the scheduled due dates
· Making sure your child arrives at each practice and performance on time, and ready to participate
· Encouraging and monitoring practice at home between scheduled team practices
· Completion of applications and forms by the scheduled due dates
· Staying informed regarding news and information regarding the Team
What is the age of participants in the program?
Participants in our Sideline Cheering Basketball Performance Team range from age 4 to age 14, or grades Pre-K through 8 (A Birth Certificate is required for all Team Members who are 4 years of age. These participants must be age 4 on or before September 1st of the Calendar Year). Participants in the Tumbling Training classes range from age 4 to 17, or grades Pre-K through 12. Participants in the Competition Team are between grades 4 and 8. Placement on Teams is determined by elementary school grade.
When do game performances begin for parents who have registered their child(ren) for the Performance (Basketball) Cheer Season?
January 2018
Is Cheerleading experience necessary for this program?
Experience is not necessary for any level of the program.
Are boys involved in the program?
Currently, boys are not enrolled in any aspect of the program, however, many parents may find that boys are interested in the Tumbling component of the program. Boys are welcome to participate in all aspects of the program, and will bear the name Yell Leader (in lieu of Cheer Leader). Boys will wear a uniform consisting of a short sleeved shirt, and pants, along with ankle socks and white shoes.
When are practices held?
· Practice for the Basketball Season Team is held on Wednesday Evenings from November through March.
· Tumbling practice is held on the scheduled dates provided by the training facility.
Are there any make-up dates for practice and/or performances?
There are not any make-up dates for missed practices and/or performances. There is no monetary value refunded or credit offered for missed practices or performances.
What is the the Thunderettes Spiritwear Accessory sale?
The Spiritwear Accessory Sale provides an opportunity for new and returning Team Members to purchase additional required and optional team accessories such as socks, bows, mid-drift tops, or boy shorts; along with warm ups, and t-shirts bearing the Victory Thunderettes logo. The 2016-2017 Spiritwear Accessory Sale will take place September through November 2016.
If you have any questions that are not listed, or require additional information regarding any questions above, please speak with a Ministry Leader