Please use this form to apply to be an athlete on the CNS Provincial Team for 2024-25. In an effort to be as accessible as possible, initial submissions this year will be via video.
Please note that while we thank all of those who apply, only those who are selected will be contacted.
We are seeking:
- YOUTH aged athletes, as per the International Cheer Union age eligibility, which is ages 12-14 in 2025
- JUNIOR aged athletes, as per the International Cheer Union age eligibility, which is ages 15-18 in 2025
The Deadline to Apply via video is June 16, 2024. Additional applicants may be accepted depending on team needs throughout the year. We will notify those whom we would like to bring back for an in-person try out within a few days.
For those who are selected for call-backs, the in-person try out will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 at the Scotia Cheer Gym (21 McCurdy Avenue, Dartmouth, NS):
- Youth: Registration starts at 5:30 pm; Practice 6 - 7:30 pm
- Junior: Registration starts at 7:00 pm; Practice 7:30 - 9 pm
Successful athletes will be notified by June 28, 2024. We often do not differentiate between "on the mat" athletes and "alternates" until the fall of the year.
July Practices will be held (subject to change):
- Friday, July 5, 2024 (youth and junior together): 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
- Saturday, July 6 (youth and junior together): 10 am -12 pm
- Saturday, July 6: Parent meeting/meet & greet
- Sunday, July 7 (youth and Junior together): 10 am -12 pm
August Practices will be held (subject to change):
- Friday, August 23, 2024 (youth and junior together): 7-9
- Saturday, August 24 (youth): 9 am - 11 am
- Saturday, August 24 (Junior): 11 am - 1 pm
Overarching Goals (one of the below):
- Apply to represent Canada as Youth Team Canada and/or Junior Team Canada at the 2025 International Cheer Union (ICU) Junior World Cheerleading Championships. If selected, this team will be expected to travel to Orlando, Florida in April 2025 to compete.
- Apply to represent Team NS at the ICU International Cheerleading Cup in Orlando, Florida in April 2025.
- Attend Cheer Canada Canadian Championships 2025 and/or other events
NOTE: The cost of travel, uniform, and team events will be determined in exact figures at a later date depending on which competition we attend, but please expect to pay $500-$700 for a uniform package and $2000-$3000 for flight and hotel (if traveling). There will also be a team fee collected by Cheer NS to help cover the costs of the team's administration, including the application fee to Cheer Canada. If selected, additional team fees will be required. Athletes designated as alternates will pay less in team fees.
SELECTION
This selection process has the following objective:
Select the best possible Team for the particular championship. While some objective criteria will be used to select Teams, it is also recognized that there is a significant subjective element. Subjective elements include such factors as the previous and current performance, experience, positional requirements, leadership and team cohesion.
PROCESS
The objectives of this Process are to (i) contribute to Cheer Nova Scotia’s provincial Team optimal Team Performance, (ii) contribute towards the achievement of the Cheer Nova Scotia strategic plan with respect to High Performance, (iii) provide a safe and inclusive environment for the Provincial Team at National and International Events, and (iv) contribute towards the advancement of clean and ethical sport in Canada and globally.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to be selected to the Team, an athlete must be in good standing with Cheer Nova Scotia, Cheer Canada, be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident holding a Canadian passport or a person eligible for Canadian Citizenship who is actively pursuing Citizenship, or a permanent resident of Canada. To be eligible to be selected to a Team, the athlete must meet any age requirements and citizenship requirements stipulated by the organizers of the event at which the Team will be competing and meet the criteria as described in the Provincial Team selection process.
Athletes residing outside of Nova Scotia may be considered on an exception basis only. If an athlete outside of NS is desired to be on the team(s), a request in writing must be submitted to the Cheer Nova Scotia board for approval, indicating why this exception is required, and demonstrating why an equivalent athlete from NS is not available.
AUTHORITY
The Board of Directors has delegated authority for decision-making under this policy to the Provincial Team Coaching staff (those with a conflict of interest should not be part of any management or oversight activities).
The Provincial Team Coaches have final authority for all selection decisions, including selecting athletes to the team(s), adding additional athletes to the team(s), selecting Team(s), removing athletes from the team(s), and selecting replacement athletes to a Team where applicable. In making selection decisions, the coaches will consult with the CNS Board, and in some cases, a neutral third party evaluator.
ATHLETE SELECTION PROCESS
Candidates for the Provincial Team(s) will be selected by the Coaches of the Provincial Team(s). Athletes will be evaluated based on present expertise and/or demonstrated potential in the following areas and will be initially selected for the Team(s):
- Individual skill level, technical abilities, international physical potential to develop with continued training;
- The dynamics of the team as a whole;
- The development and planning of the Provincial Team program in the future.
Physical Considerations:
- Aerobic fitness
- Demonstration of power and agility
- Demonstration of air sense and body positions (top person)
- Upper body strength and power when stunting
- Tumbling skills mastered
- Sufficient level of other factors such as flexibility, speed, agility, expertise and experience in crowd-leading, and any previous experience at a National-team level will be considered, among other factors
- Commitment to the specific physical conditioning and rehabilitation programs assigned throughout the year and to the improvement of skills. This is the biggest priority for young athletes entering into any National Team program.
Technical Abilities:
- Present skill level and future potential. Consideration given to biomechanically limiting factors that could prevent future development.
- Application of skills to the routine choreography and competitive situations, all around skills.
- Position specific skills (top person, base, back, tumbling, etc.).
- Needs of each team and its composition
Additional evaluated skills and abilities:
Specific requirements for submissions will include the following, at a minimum, to be refined by the coaching staff:
- Mastered stunt/tumble skills in ICU Advanced (All-Star Level 4) and higher for the YOUTH team.
- Mastered stunt/tumble skills in ICU Advanced (All-Star Level 4) and higher for the JUNIOR team.
- Quality is valued over level of skills.
Athletes should demonstrate:
- Highest difficulty of mastered standing tumbling skills
- Highest difficulty of mastered running tumbling skills
- Several stunting skills (please indicate which role you are playing in the stunt group)
SECTION 5 – TEAM SELECTION PROCESS
Athletes will be selected to the Team(s), with the goal being to put together the best possible team(s) for any particular event. Factors that will be considered in this selection include physical and technical aspects of the sport, as well as team dynamics. These factors, which will be accessed by the coaching staff, as they deem appropriate for the decision making process, include:
- Work effectively within the team concept,
- Committed to communication with other players and team staff,
- Willingness to alter individual preferences and to change to meet the needs of the group and the strategies of the coaches,
- Willingness to work within the assigned role(s) for that term,
- Willingness to accept the length and location of training asked by the Provincial Program.
It is understood that in making selections to create the best possible team in terms of ability to be successful at the event, it is possible that the best individual athletes may not be selected. The decision of the coaches shall be considered final. For appeals, please see section "Appeals".
REMOVAL FROM THE TEAM
Upon selection to the Team, an athlete must:
- Sign and abide by the Cheer Canada Athlete Handbook,
- Sign and abide by the CNS Athlete Code of Conduct,
- Provide Cheer NS with all required documents (passport information etc.),
- Complete the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport Safe Sport training,
- Participate in Team events, activities and meetings, as directed by the coaching staff or designate,
- Ensure they wear proper equipment and clothing,
- Obey all rules established by the Cheer Nova Scotia and/or Cheer Canada,
- Assist Cheer Nova Scotia in public relations and fund-raising projects where required.
An athlete may be removed from the Team where the athlete:
- Is unable to meet performance expectations;
- Is unable to perform due to injury, illness or for other medical reason as determined by Cheer Nova Scotia or Cheer Canada’s or the event’s medical staff;
- Is unable to commit to Provincial Team Program activities and events;
- Violates team rules and/or Cheer Canada’s or Cheer Nova Scotia’s policies and procedures
- Exhibits conduct that is detrimental to the image of the Provincial Team program of Cheer Nova Scotia.
- Breaches the Athlete Agreement
- Voluntarily withdraws
- Is sanctioned by CCES or Cheer Canada for violating the Anti-Doping rules and regulations;
- Is sanctioned by their PSO;
- Is removed by a Cheer Canada or Cheer Nova Scotia Discipline and/or Appeal panel; or
- Fraudulently represents themselves
Athletes are still expected to fulfill any obligations imposed on them as part of their home programs in accordance of those agreements.
TERMS
Membership in the program is for one year only. Athletes must re-apply to be appointed to the team each year.
SUBSTITUTION OF ALTERNATES
Where necessary and appropriate, an athlete removed from a Team may be replaced by an alternate from the alternate roster.
APPEALS
Cheer Nova Scotia team selections may be appealed in accordance with the procedures set out in the Cheer Nova Scotia Appeals policy. The cost to appeal a decision regarding making the team is $100 (if the decision is reversed and the athlete is placed on a team, the fee will be put towards their Team Nova Scotia fees, less a 25% administration fee; otherwise, this fee is forfeit).
I have read and understood the try-out Process as described at the top of this application form.
I agree to make the training schedule a priority when published, and understand that it may be subject to modifications due to extenuating circumstances, but I commit to doing my best to attend all practices.
I understand that my application is not complete until I send $25 application fee via this form and/or email money transfer to treasurer@cheerns.com
I understand that if I make the CNS Team, then I am responsible for an athlete team fee of (approximately) $150 that will cover the costs of running the program from team selection to final video submission. Additional fees will be required if Team CNS is selected to be Team Canada.
I understand that I will be required to practice with the team throughout the season in conjunction with my regular All-Star team, potentially travel to Orlando Florida in April 2025 (or potentially another event, further discussions will be held prior to a decision), and understand that there are significant costs associated with travel including flight, accommodations, additional food/travel expenses, as well as purchasing the Team Canada uniform kit.
I understand that if I am selected as an alternate, I am still expected to acquire all the mandatory gear and travel with the team. If this is not possible, then it will be expected that I will withdraw from the team, providing an opportunity for another athlete to join the team.
I understand that the competition and video submission will be filmed on a non-sprung floor, and all of the potential events take place on a non-sprung floor. I understand that I will still be expected to perform tumbling and stunting skills on a non-sprung floor.