Read below to learn more about our cheer program, expectations of participants and their families, and what to expect as a part of a Bulldog cheer squad. Click on links below and throughout the page for topic details. Top areas of interest can be reached at the following links:

  ABOUT OUR PROGRAM | CHEER REGISTRATION
AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR CHEER | APPLY FOR A COACHING POSITION

     Cheerleading

The North Raleigh Athletic Association and our Bulldog Cheerleading Program is comprised of of talented student-athletes brought together by a strong passion for cheerleading. We cheer at football games, exhibitions, and competitive meets as part of the Consolidated Football Federation (CFF), which is the local Pop Warner Little Scholars league.

Our program is unique. While we teach the values of sportsmanship, we also require our cheerleaders to maintain their grades according to Pop Warner standards. Participation in the NRAA Cheerleading Program provides kids an opportunity to perform in an organized, supervised, safety-oriented en  vironment where we emphasize fun for all!

What to expect:

• The first weeks of cheer are comprised of conditioning. CFF & Pop Warner rules require that each member of a cheer squad record twenty (20) hours of conditioning time before being able to cheer. Participants who miss practice will not be allowed to participate in any cheerleading activities until the twenty (20) hours of conditioning is attained.
• During the first 2-3 weeks, cheer participants will likely practice 4-5 days a week. Typical practice time is anywhere from 6:00 PM until 8:00PM.
• Throughout the regular season, practices are scheduled by the squad’s coach and may vary from two (2) to three (3) days per week.
• Competitive teams typically practice an extra day when the competition schedule nears. As the time changes and darkness hits earlier, practices may start earlier to allow for more daylight. The NRAA does lease lighting for some competitive level football practices at various fields as daylight gets scarce, and cheer squads may adjust to take advantage of that lighting. Additionally, cheer squads may be required to practice at least once a week at the location where their associated football squad practices.
• Cheer can be strenuous. Please encourage your child to stretch and practice the routines often. Coaches may suggest level changes for a participant, an our goal is to correct and encourage proper form for safety.
• Cheer is an active sport. Keeping our organization running is a team effort. We will expect a lot of your time, support, and resources. The first three weeks are filled with many hours on and off the field for all of us. We will ask you for forms and absolute accuracy on items you may not think are important, but they are. You will be called-upon to volunteer your time and raise funds. Our volunteer leaders are committed to you, and we ask the same commitment in return.
• And, while it may seem to go without saying, expect to be asked to follow the rules and act with courtesy towards your fellow Bulldog families, coaches, and volunteers, as well as toward our visitors and opponents. Understand that we have a zero tolerance policy for actions that jeopardize the safety of any individual or our ability to provide a positive environment for Bulldogs football and cheerleading in our community.
• If you have a concern, we require you to follow the chain of command. Start with your coach. Complaints, concerns, or issues brought to commissioners or board members that were not addressed with the coach first will be returned to the coach for attention. Of course, we accept compliments and offers for help at any time, at any level of authority.
• Competitive cheer squads are required to participate in local, regional, and the much sought-after National Championship in Disney World (Florida). For the squads that qualify, this championship occurs in early to mid-December. The NRAA is one of the few (if not only) teams in the CFF that subsidizes travel for its teams required to travel to Disney. To qualify for subsidies, a team must raise funds equivalent to $100 per rostered team member by October 1. We provide multiple opportunities to raise the funds, or individuals can cover this requirement with a $100 (or more) donation up front. If a competitive cheer squad places in the top two at Regionals, the rostered members are required to travel to Nationals.The subsidy amount and post-travel policy will be provided to you at the first team’s meeting or upon request. All rostered cheer team members are required to travel, unless otherwise stated at the time of registration.
• A cheer squad that cheers for a football team that makes it to the National Championship in Disney is also required to travel with its respective football team, regardless of the cheer squad's qualification for cheer competition in Disney. Again, the fundraising and post-season travel policy apply. All rostered cheer team members are required to travel unless otherwise stated at the time of registration.
  

Want to be a Bulldog Cheerleader?

Registration for the 2013 Season will open online for returning participants on April 1. Online new cheer participant registration will open April 15. A participant is not considered registered or officially on a squad until ALL paperwork is complete, submitted, and confirmed as accurate. No exceptions.

Cheer squads are grouped depending on age group and number of participants, so register early and ensure all paperwork is in order. Visit   the Registration page for specific details. While it will seem like a lot of information and very specific requirements, please be compliant. We're following the rules and ask you to do the same to ensure we can meet our insurance, legal, and administrative requirements that allow your child to participate. 

Age Requirements for Cheer During the 2013 Season

Cheerleaders are grouped by age, as required by Pop Warner. We are not able to make exceptions to these requirements. Following is a breakdown of age divisions which correspond to the football age divisions as well. The age listed is the cheerleader's age on July 31, 2013.

Age groups:

Flag: 5, 6 & 7 year olds

Tiny-Mite: 5, 6 & 7 year olds

Mitey-Mite: 7, 8 & 9 year olds

Junior Pee Wee: 8, 9, 10 & 11 year olds

Pee Wee: 9, 10, 11 & 12 year olds

Junior Midget: 10, 11 ,12 & 13 year olds

Midget: 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15 year olds

  Coaches 

If you're interested in an open position, or want to be an assistant coach, please email nraacheer@gmail.com. When registering your child, indicate any volunteer interests on the form. All coaching positions are volunteer roles. No one on our coaching staff or Board of Directors is ever paid. Background checks are required for all coaches, staff, and board members. Our coaches volunteer hundreds of hours in planning, certification testing, practices, games, exhibitions, and competitive meets. Safety, fitness, and the development of strong foundational skills are the top priorities for coaches, and they recognize the example they're setting for our young athletes. Many coaches return year after year and stay with their squads through the passing seasons.

You can make a positive difference in a child's life. Our coaches are passionate about the sport of cheerleading and the development of mind, body, and spirit in every athlete. Join us!

Each coach, staff member, and Board Member in the NRAA undergoes a strict background check and required training. We abide by all rules set forth by the Pop Warner Little Scholars program, and by our parent league, the Consolidated Football Federation (CFF).

No one in the North Raleigh Athletic Association is ever paid for the time, talents, or commitments to the organization - we are 100% volunteer-led and rely on registration fees, sponsors, fundraising, and in-kind donations for our operations. Our families, participants, and organization make the Bulldog Nation a great one.

     If you are interested in applying for a cheer coaching position, please contact us at nraacheer@gmail.com.