2019-2020 SEASON

Welcome to Season 8!Welcome to Premier Cheer Athletics home of the DIAMONDS. If you aren’t a DIAMOND yet, you are about to learn what it is like to be a part of our amazing family and if you are a DIAMOND already, we are so thrilled to welcome you back for another season filled with hard work and unforgettable memories. Being a DIAMOND means being a part of a supportive and inclusive family that truly lifts you higher and we cannot wait to welcome you!

Here at PCA, we believe that the sport of cheerleading is both rewarding and exciting and a place where teamwork, dedication, sportsmanship, leadership, and work ethic are a necessary foundation. The purpose of our program is to promote learning, personal growth, and self-confidence, inside and outside of the gym. These core values are crucial elements in learning the basic principles of cheerleading. It is our sole passion for every athlete walking in the door to obtain these core values and harness them in cheer as well as throughout their lives.

PCA Coaching and Office StaffAll PCA coaches are USASF certified in all areas of cheerleading and, along with our independent instructors and office staff, everyone has been approved and given Greenlight Status through USASFs national database for background checks. We utilize industry accepted coaching methods and standards to train our athletes. Our coaches and instructors will teach skills that will last a lifetime and build pride in not only their own accomplishments but also those of the entire DIAMOND Family. Many of our coaches have been with PCA since the very first practice which means they have a complete understanding of PCAs philosophy. You will love the professionalism of our entire program. From the supportive administrative staff members to our coaches/instructors and even Booster members. We pride ourselves in truly valuing the families that are a part of our program.

PREMIER

CHEER

ATHLETICS

PracticeTeam practices start the week of June 3, 2019. There will be a lighter practice schedule for the summer months with the exception of Technique Camp in July. Once school returns to session, we will formalize the practice schedule for each team, which will include one weekend practice. Please note: All-Star Cheerleading is a rewarding yet demanding sport. Teams are successful when the full team is present. Each athlete is like a puzzle piece. When there is a piece missing it is a disadvantage for all to see the whole puzzle. All team practices are mandatory! The practice schedule will be posted monthly in the gym and also on the website.

Time CommitmentsAthletes are allowed to participate in school teams and activities, etc. however all PCA practices, performances, competitions, and other commitments are mandatory and must take priority over the other activities (unless grade related). It is the responsibility of the athlete/athlete’s parent to resolve any conflicts and keep their schedule open for their PCA commitments. The teams rely on each other to be present for all events. Athletes can not miss the three practices leading up to a competition/showcase. This will include some Sundays falling on a holiday weekend. Some of our competitions may fall the weekend before or after. We need to adhere to our attendance policies strictly in order to be fair with all. Athletes may not be a member of another all-star program or take classes at other all-star facilities while rostered on a PCA team. Vacation forms are available at the front desk to be completed.

Mandatory Clinics for Full Year and Prep Teams:

TECHNIQUE CLINIC July 17, 18, & 19th

CHOREOGRAPHY FULL YEAR TEAMS September 6, 7, 8, & 9th.

CHOREOGRAPHY PREP TEAMS September 2019 – TBD

CompetitionWe participate in local, regional, and national competitions during the course of the season. We will also hold a Showcase Night twice per season where friends and family that may not have the opportunity to travel to competitions may come and watch performances by all teams. The date and time of this Showcase will be provided at our Kickoff Parent Meeting. A TENTATIVE competition schedule will be provided by the end of the June, with the FINAL schedule being released in September 2019.

ALL Full Year Teams have the potential to receive US Finals Bids and/or D2 Summit Bids, while our Prep Teams, Open Coed 4, Mini, & Tiny teams all have the opportunity to earn bids to US Finals solely. It is the goal for all teams to obtain a bid to a National competition and attend. When a bid is earned, a team parent meeting will be held to review the process of the bid acceptance and what the next steps will be. End of Season travel for D2 Summit and US Finals should always be on the calendar as a possibility.

CLINICS/CHOREOGRAPHY/GUEST COACHESWe are excited to announce that for the 2019/2020 Competitive Season, Premier Cheer Athletics has partnered with The Allstar Cheer Consultants! Starting with Placements in May, we will have Guest Coaches/Judges/Clinicians from the ACC working with our athletes and staff alike on a monthly basis in addition to the already scheduled Technique Camp and Choreography dates. Each month our teams will get hands on training from some of the best our sport has to offer. This training will take place during their weekly practices during June and will take place on their Sunday practices once our Back to School Schedule starts in the fall. The staff members from ACC will not only be working with our athletes, but our staff as well with continued, hands-on year round training, practice plans, certification, and top of the line experienced coaches.

Nestor De La Pena has over 25 years of Cheerleading Experience; 23 years of Cheerleading Choreography Experience; 22 years All-star Gym Owner, Miami Elite, Elite Cheer CheerForce, & West Coast Fame. Nestor is USASF certified Levels 1-5 and is AACCA Safety Certified. Nestor also has been a National Judge for over 18 years. He has presented at National Conferences. In addition, Nestor was the 2011 Inductee to the Who's Who of All-star Cheer Coaches and 2012 Nominee for Small Gym of the Year by Inside Cheerleading Magazine. His accomplishments include 2017 D2 Summit Champions, Summit & D2 Summit Finalists, and was the FIRST Back to Back World Championships Titles in 2004 – 2005 with Miami Elite.

John Zapater has over 17 years cheerleading experience; 15 years Coaching experience 13 years Cheerleading Choreography experience; and is USASF Safety Certified Levels 1-5 as well as AACCA Safety Certified. John's long list of accomplishments include: 2017 & 2018 D2 Summit Champions & Finalists respectively; 2010 & 2011 Bronze Medalist at Worlds with Pro Cheer; 3 NCA All Star Championship Titles; as well as over 150 program National Titles. He is also the recipient of Choreography Awards from NCA, Jamfest, and US Finals.

Fundraising/Parent ParticipationWe understand that All-Star Cheerleading can be fairly expensive. Thus, we do not want to exclude anyone who might be interested in being a part of our program because of any financial shortcomings. The Booster Club is designed to receive parental input and to support our athletes in every way possible. One of the main purposes of the Booster Club is fundraising so that we can cover some of the costs of All-Star Cheerleading. The Booster Club plans to offer an abundance of fundraising opportunities year round so that all athletes interested in our program are given the chance to participate.

Gym-wide Fundraisers: PCA Allstars holds three gym-wide required fundraisers each season. Typically one in the fall, our Annual 12 Days of Christmas Raffle, and in the spring our Annual Spring Showcase. These fundraisers are held to generate funds for our Scholarship Program and our Special Needs, now CHEERABILITIES Team. 100% Gym Participation is counted on for these events. Please keep in mind that PCA offers a highly competitive pricing package and ALL staff members are VOLUNTEERS.