Welcome to New England Cheer and Tumble (hereinafter referred to as NECT). We extend a warm welcome to all newcomers and are honored to have you as part of our community. At NECT, we are committed to providing a professional and high-quality experience, prioritizing the development, safety, and support of our athletes and their families. This handbook contains vital information about the cheer season, expectations, policies, and procedures. We encourage all families to familiarize themselves with the contents, and to reach out with any questions.
Our Mission Statement
NECT aims to cultivate strong and self-assured athletes in the world of cheerleading. We focus on building self-esteem, integrity, work ethic, accountability, and commitment, striving to develop leaders through education, coaching, and a supportive environment.
Safety and Compliance Policies
SafeSport
NECT is fully committed to complying with the USASF SafeSport Policy. The goal of the USASF is to foster a safe environment for physical, emotional, and social development, free from abuse and misconduct. NECT follows all measures to reduce risks associated with abuse and misconduct, and all staff members are required to undergo mandatory annual SafeSport training and background checks.
We follow all USASF Cheer Rules 2025-2026.
Expectations
Professional Representation
Coaches, athletes, and parents embody NECT when participating in competitions, public events, or engaging on social media. We are committed to maintaining a professional reputation and expect all participants to demonstrate exemplary sportsmanship at all times.
Communication & Social Media Policies
Meetings
Meetings with coaches or staff may be arranged during office hours or other designated times. To minimize distractions, please refrain from discussing any issues during active coaching sessions.
Social Media
Social media serves as a key platform for sharing information such as weather updates, event notifications, and announcements. A private NECT Parent Group will be maintained on Facebook for communication among parents/guardians of athletes. Please be mindful of the information shared in the group as non-staff posts may not be accurate. Posts involving bullying or aggression will be removed, and individuals may be removed from the group if necessary.
Official Social Media Handles:
○ Facebook: NE Cheer and Tumble
○ Instagram: @newenglandcheerandtumble
Live Streaming and Photography
In compliance with USASF policies, live streaming of competitions is prohibited. Participants may take photographs or videos, provided flash photography is not used, and they do not obstruct the view of other spectators.
Music, Choreography, and Confidentiality
All choreography and music used at NECT is confidential and should not be shared, traded, or discussed with individuals outside the program. Any unauthorized sharing of choreography or music, including posting videos or music on social media platforms (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, TikTok), is strictly prohibited.
Social Media Policy: Geographic Location and Privacy
NECT prioritizes the safety of its athletes, particularly minors, and prohibits parents and guardians from posting real-time geographic location information on any social media platform related to gym activities, events, or participants. This includes location check-ins, tags, or any content with specific location details such as gym addresses or event venues.
Why This Policy Exists:
○ Safety First: Sharing real-time locations could expose participants to unanticipated risks.
○ Privacy Protection: Limiting geographic location sharing helps protect the privacy of our athletes.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to share moments from their time at NECT but are asked to refrain from posting location information, tags, or check-ins that could compromise safety.
Parent App
NECT will provide a team app (such as Band or GroupMe) for parent communication. This app will serve as a platform for updates and information. It is not intended for grievances; please direct any concerns to a coach or owner. Messages within the app will not be considered formal correspondence.
Attendance and Practices
All-Star cheerleading is a team-focused sport where each athlete plays a specific role during performances. Attendance is critical, as there are no substitutes. Practices are scheduled to ensure athletes can develop the necessary skills.
Team Practices: Teams will practice one to two times per week from July to December, with practices totaling up to 5 hours. Additional practices may be scheduled for choreography or competition preparation.
Important Dates
● May 24th & 25th: Evaluations
● June 1st (week): Placement Reveal Emails Begin
● June 9th: 2025/2026 Season Practices Begin
● July 21st-24th: NECT Stunt Clinics (Dates subject to change)
Absences
All-Star cheerleading is a team-oriented sport, and missing practice can have a detrimental impact on the entire team. Stunt groups are unable to rehearse, choreography becomes disrupted, and athletes may face safety risks. It is essential to inform NECT staff about any planned absences at least three months in advance. For unexpected absences, please report them as soon as you are aware. To communicate a last-minute absence, kindly reach out to your coach or NECT leadership.
Absences: June to August
At the discretion of NECT staff, failure to follow the attendance policy may result in:
Examples of unexcused absences include, but are not limited to:
Attendance is mandatory the week before a competition. If an athlete is absent during this time, it may be necessary to remove the athlete from their position for the upcoming competition.
Family Vacations
NECT recognizes the significance of family vacations throughout the summer and school year. The staff will allow a limited number of extra excused absences, provided that vacation requests are submitted by June 15, 2025. Any additional vacations must take place during the designated Gym Closure Dates; otherwise, they will be classified as unexcused.
Gym Closure Dates
There will be no tuition reductions during break and holiday months. To ensure minimal disruptions for our athletes, we suggest planning vacations and special events during the times outlined below:
● Labor Day: September 1st
● June 30th – July 13th: Vacation Blackout – Gym Closed
● October 31st: Halloween – Gym Closed
● November 27th-28th: Thanksgiving – Gym Closed
● December 22nd-29th: Holiday Break – Gym Closed
● December 31st-January 1st: New Year’s – Gym Closed
Note: During school closures, including February and April vacations, practices may still be held.
Extra Competition Practice
NECT may require additional mandatory practices prior to competitions. Teams that earn bids to The Summit or Regionals will have extra practices arranged. Coaches may also schedule additional mandatory practices at short notice if necessary. There will be no extra fees added to your tuition for these additional practices.
