All-Star Half Year Teams?

My daughter did one last year. She loved it because we had just moved here and she was able to get on a team halfway through the year instead of waiting until May - and the girls were all new to the team, instead of just her. They're very popular here because you can't do high school cheer and allstar at the same time, so a lot of the high school cheerleaders do the partial season teams once their season is over.

Cost-wise I loved it because the comps were all local and the overall costs (tuition and uniform) were way lower.

The only thing that she DID NOT like at all was that they have to compete against full-year teams. Obviously I don't know any other way they could do it - I certainly don't expect them to make ANOTHER division for partial season teams. But there is a distinct disadvantage to competing against teams that have been practicing together for 8-9 months, when you are a team that has only been together for 2 months.

I love half year teams. Especially for girls who cheer for high school! If they didn't want to commit to two teamsduring high school season, then they can join after. I did one two years ago and we had only practiced for a month and a half and then competed at Cheersport Grand and got 2nd! Thats awesome, considering that all those other teams had been practicing fr over 6 months and were already halfway through their season!

I had posted something awhile back about Rec teams and was told that partial season teams would qualify since they only practice 4 months a year. Their practices would have to be under 3 hours a week too but that's one way they could stay competitive.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Cheer athletics is having them this year. Try outs are actually this saturday oct 1st. For levels 1-5 I can't even begin to imagine how big this program will be by December !! Check the website for more info

Our gym has them starting in Novemeber. We usually get mostly rec kids and have a youth and a junior team

my gym has one starting in november and i may do it!

We are doing it for the first time this year. we had a lot of interest from girls going into middle school who thought that it would of been too much starting 7th grade and a full year team. so tryouts are next weekend and we will start in nov. I'm just wondering what do team do as far as uniforms for these kids. do they purchase a brand new $250-400 uniform do you have other options for those teams... Feed Back Please!

CoachARobz said:

We are doing it for the first time this year. we had a lot of interest from girls going into middle school who thought that it would of been too much starting 7th grade and a full year team. so tryouts are next weekend and we will start in nov. I'm just wondering what do team do as far as uniforms for these kids. do they purchase a brand new $250-400 uniform do you have other options for those teams... Feed Back Please!

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They usually buy a cheaper uniform that isn't as detailed as the ones that they use for the full-year teams. If not, you can always purchase a used uniform at a lower price from a cheerleader who has outgrown an old one!

cheerheart4life said:

They usually buy a cheaper uniform that isn't as detailed as the ones that they use for the full-year teams. If not, you can always purchase a used uniform at a lower price from a cheerleader who has outgrown an old one!

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the old uniform was an idea originally but we have grown a lot since last year so we dont even have enough old uniform. a uniform without as much detail will probably be our best bet

CoachARobz said:

the old uniform was an idea originally but we have grown a lot since last year so we dont even have enough old uniform. a uniform without as much detail will probably be our best bet

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Well growing is never a bad thing The easiest way to cut cost on a uniform is to get a simple skirt. There are many different companies where you can get a good uniform for $120 a top

CoachARobz said:

We are doing it for the first time this year. we had a lot of interest from girls going into middle school who thought that it would of been too much starting 7th grade and a full year team. so tryouts are next weekend and we will start in nov. I'm just wondering what do team do as far as uniforms for these kids. do they purchase a brand new $250-400 uniform do you have other options for those teams... Feed Back Please!

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Let's see. When our gym first opened, they rented out uniforms for a few years. Then they changed the uniform style, but those were purchased by the parents. Couple years later, new style unis purchased by parents. The full-travel teams got new uniforms again this season. Our exhibition-only teams rent those uniforms that are from when the program first started. Our half-year teams use our last uniform style. Most are able to get them used from other parents, but they can purchase them new as well. It is nice because it gives parents options to continue to sell their used uniforms even though the gym has changed the style for full travel teams.

I did our half year team last year! This year I'm crossing over and doing full and half year. I love it! I
Only we have to compete against full year teams!

CoachARobz said:

We are doing it for the first time this year. we had a lot of interest from girls going into middle school who thought that it would of been too much starting 7th grade and a full year team. so tryouts are next weekend and we will start in nov. I'm just wondering what do team do as far as uniforms for these kids. do they purchase a brand new $250-400 uniform do you have other options for those teams... Feed Back Please!

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I've seen A LOT of half year, rec, or not so big allstar programs use these uniforms: http://www.chassecheer.com/cheerleading-uniforms-and-warm-ups.html
They may be very generic but the first full top uniform posted is like $30 on Omni Cheer.

We've had half year teams for a few years now. I think we have 4 teams this year. It's mostly girls who don't want to commit to twice a week and all of the traveling that goes into our full year teams. This year we started earlier and added on a half hour for tumbling. I think they do 3 local competitions (Pittsburgh) and 1 away in Columbus, OH. Sometimes they beat other teams that practice year round the times they get beat the other gyms CELEBRATE because they beat FCA. FCA is always the gym to beat even if it's our half year teams.