Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is Kenora All Star Cheerleading?
A: Kenora All Star Cheerleading (KAS) is a registered Not-for-Profit organization. KAS is Cheer Canada Small Gym that offers both Recreational and Competitive All Star Cheer programs for youth in the Kenora area. KAS Competitive teams are city-wide Rep teams. 2021-2022 is Season 10
Q: What is the best way to get information about Kenora All Star Cheerleading?
A: Once on a team, the team will also have a specific means of communicating with athletes and parents through your parent portal account/emails and a closed Facebook group.
General information can also be found on our website at www.cheerkenora.com and our other social media sites.
Parent Meetings September – Beginning of the season General Information and meetings closer to competitions as required.
Q: What’s the best way to contact KAS?
A: You can send a private message through one of the social media sites with your questions but we prefer an email to info@kenoracheer.com. If the question requires a conversation, then please leave your contact information so an Executive member or coach can call you back. Parents are asked to please not use practice time as a time to communicate with coaches. Also, please direct administrative questions to the Executive as coaches do not know your child’s account balance or program costs etc.
Q: How do I know which team to sign up for?
Recreational Cheerleading and Novice Cheer is an introduction to cheer. These are shorter programs for 3-4 year olds or 5-6 year olds
Prep Cheer is a transition from Rec to Competitive. This precompetitive program bridges ages from 7-11 years of age
All Star Cheer is competitive cheerleading based on Age and Level of Skills. At KAS competitive starts at 8 years of age up to 30+ years of age
Q: What are the different divisions in cheer?
A: Teams are age-based first, then level based.
Age division now replicate other sports using the U- designation. For example U12 is 8-12 years old based on their age in the latter year of the season eg. 2021-2022 season would be the athlete's age in 2022. For more information on All Star Cheerleading in Canada Go to https://cheercanada.ca/education/all-star-cheer/
Q: What do the different Levels mean in Cheerleading?
Choose Recreational Cheer or Novice if you are new to cheer.
Novice is an introduction to cheer class.
All Star Prep is an introduction to competitive cheer and the cheer routine.
All Star Levels
Level 1 athletes are working on cartwheels and walkovers. Stunts are at shoulder level or below. Destiny and Fusion are usually Level 1. There are many skills and progressions in Level 1. Expect an athlete to spend a few years at Level 1 as this level contains many skills and provides the fundamentals for the sport.
Level 2 athletes should be close to a back handspring. Level 2 tumbling includes standing backhand spring, BHS back walkover, round off back handspring. Stunts are primarily at shoulder level but do go to extended level. Stunting grips are more complex. Eclipse is usually Level 2
Level 3 athletes should be close to a series back handspring and working on round off - back handspring - back tuck. Stunts involve intricate loads and dismounts at the shoulder to extended level. Some athletes are designated for stunt and do not tumble and visa versa. Infinity Elite is Level 3-4
Kenora All Star Cheerleading will determine the ages and levels of teams based on the KAS athlete membership for that season to ensure a safe physical learning environment.
Q: My child loves to cheer but they are not strong in tumbling.
A: That's ok! Your child can make a strong contribution to their teams in a variety of ways - stunting, leadership, performance, dance, etc. They will still do tumbling drills and conditioning that will make them a stronger athlete but never quit because you are not a strong tumbler.
Q: What is a Crossover Athlete
A: A crossover athlete is on more than one team. The purpose of a crossover athlete is unique to the athlete, their development and/or the program's needs. Athletes may have the opportunity to extend or learn their stunting or tumbling skills, may play a leadership role on a team or in a stunt group, or may be asked to fill in for an injured athlete. Athletes may also be placed on a team as a designated Stunter or Tumbler.
Q: What should my KAS athlete wear to practice?
A: Athletic T shirt and shorts. Hair should be tied back and off the shoulders. Clean indoor shoes and no jewellery. If you are in a competitive program, you should have proper cheerleading shoes. Your membership fee includes a Club t-shirt. Other KAS cheer clothing including practice shorts, crop tops, sweats are available.
Q: What happens if a practice is cancelled?
A: Parents will be notified through social media of practice cancellations as soon as possible. Last minute cancellations will be posted on Facebook and the website.
Q: What is the athlete’s responsibility for missing a practice?
A: Athletes must tell a coach in advance of the absence and provide a reason. Please see “Expectations of a KAS Athlete” for more information.
Q: How do I pay for the sessions etc.
A: Parents can make a payment arrangement with our Administrative Director Natalie Pearson. We accept cash, cheques and e-transfers to kascheerfinance@gmail.com please use password kascheer. Parent can pay in full, once a month, or split payments over the session. KAS is also sponsored by Triple Play. Cheques are made payable to Kenora All Star Cheerleading.
Q: Are there fundraising opportunities?
A: Yes. Competitive athletes to date have had access to fundraising opportunities through KAS and the Parent Group. Some fundraising activity is required and some fundraising activity is optional. Any monies earned through fundraising are deposited into each athlete’s cheer account.
Q: Are KAS teams travelling teams?
A: Yes. Depending on the level of the team, the competition series varies. Competitions are usually declared in conversation with parents at the beginning of the season. It is unknown whether Virtual or In-person competitions will occur in 2021-2022, however competition routines will be practiced and prepared.
Q: How does KAS keep track of my payments? How do I know how much I owe?
A: Our accounting is managed by Natalie Pearson who is a Certified Professional Chartered Accountant. Each competitive athlete is given an athlete account where monies received and payments for product or service are listed. At the Parent Meeting at the beginning of the season, a breakdown of costs is provided for each team.
Q: Are there scholarships or bursaries through KAS?
A: Yes. If an athlete has been in the KAS program for FIVE competitive seasons AND is on a KAS competitive cheerleading team in their graduating year, the athlete qualifies for a KAS Bursary awarded on the night of High School Graduation.
Q: Can parents watch practices?
A: The facility has a small viewing area for parents, however during Co-Vid protocol measures parents are not permitted in the facility as we manage contact tracing. Once we resume to normal protocols this will be updated. Coaches want parents to see the skill development of their children and will provide opportunities for parents to view a practice. If you are in the gym watching a practice, please be respectful to the coaches and athletes. Do not let other children run around the gym or onto the practice mat, do not speak in a loud, distracting manner and do not interrupt the coach or athletes during the practice.
Q: Is Cheerleading a sport?
A: Yes. Cheerleading has a National sports organization "Cheer Canada" and provincial bodies including Ontario Cheerleading Federation (OCF) and Cheer Manitoba that act as the governing bodies for the sport of cheerleading. At the most recent International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting July 2021, Cheerleading was granted full IOC sport status. As there are no plans to include Cheerleading in the next Olympics Paris 2024, I would not be surprised to see Cheerleading in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.
Q: What is Scholastic Cheerleading
A: Scholastic Cheer programs are affiliated to Schools and School Boards. Please contact KPDSB - Beaver Brae or KCDSB - St. Thomas Aquinas for information regarding scholastic cheer teams.