When does the season begin and end?
Season for all PCYFC participants (cheer and FB) typically begins mid-July and ends in October depending on playoffs. This year, we will begin with a week of camp from July 8-12.
What/When is Camp?
Camp usually starts the second week of July and is the "unofficial" start of practices and season and is held at Searcy practice field in Mill Spring (see "where are practices held?" question below if you are unsure where this is).
This year, camp is the week of 7/8/24 on Mon/Tues/Thurs from 6-7:30. Friday July 12, we will celebrate the season kickoff with a family night: inflatables, slip 'n' slide, and dunking booth at the Searcy practice field. More details TBA.
When are practices?
During July and part of August, practice for all teams/cheerleaders is typically 2-3 days a week from 6-7:30pm. When school starts back, practice is generally moved to 2 days a week. Since we leave practice times and days up to the coach, this may differ just a bit from team to team.
It is CRUCIAL that you are on the remind group messaging system so that you will get the notice if practice or games are changed for any reason (such as inclement weather).
Where are practices held?
Practices for both cheerleaders and football players are held on the Searcy Field in Mill Spring. It is located near the intersection of 108 and hwy 9 in Mill Spring. The parking lot for the field is off of Horsepower Lane in Mill Spring. Bring a folding chair as there is currently no seating.
Who will be coaching my child?
PCYFC is a non-profit organization run by volunteer board members. Most of the time, many of these board members will be coaching in some capacity, but we also rely on parent volunteers to help fill coaching needs.
I would like to coach my child's team. How do I sign up?
You can talk to any of the board members and get a background check form to fill out. Once you are able to pass this, you can be a coach.
Coaches will be dismissed for conduct unbecoming.
What are "weigh-ins" and why are they mandatory?
PCYFC is a part of the Western North Carolina Youth Football & Cheer (WNCYFC) League. Weigh-Ins preserve the integrity of the competition between all of the teams in the league. We, along with all of the other teams in the league, are required to meet on a Saturday* designated by the WNCYFC (usually the 2nd Saturday in August). It is there that the league verifies that our participants are who we say they are on our rosters, that they are the right ages on the right teams, and that for football players, they meet the weight requirements for the different positions.
PCYFC is required to turn in all paperwork for each participant at the weigh-ins.
Any player/cheerleader not present at weigh-ins* or if they are missing any of the required paperwork: participants are then rendered ineligible to play.
*If a participant is unable to make it to weigh-ins, there is ONE make up date the following week. If your child misses both weigh-ins, they will not be allowed to participate for the season.
Why is my child's original birth certificate required to participate?
PCYFC is a part of the Western North Carolina Youth Football & Cheer (WNCYFC) League. Per the league's rules, each player must have the original or certified copy of the original birth certificate turned in for the league to verify.
Original birth certificates and certified copies are typically printed on special paper with a notary (raised seal) on them.
If you do not want to use your child's orginal birth certificate, a certified copy can be obtained from the register of deeds in the county your child was born in. For example, you can (most of the time) search up online the register of deeds from your child's birth county and pay $10 or so to get them to mail you a certified copy. The only downside to going through the mail is that it takes several days to get to you. You can also go in person to the register of deeds and poy for a certified copy.
I do not have my child's birth certificate. What do I do?
Certified copies can be obtained from most counties through the internet. To do this, search up the county's register of deeds where your child was born. There is usually an option to have your child's certified copy of their birth certificate mailed to you for around $10. You can also go to the county in person to pick up a certified copy as well.
If your child is adopted or you are fostering and this is why you do not have their birth certificate, please speak with the PCYFC President for options.
When will I get my child's birth certificate back?
Once the regular season is over and playoffs begin, we will start handing back birth certificates. Please stay up to date on the messages we send out on our remind group as this is our primary means of communication.
Why do the football players still practice in the rain?
PCYFC is a part of the Western North Carolina Youth Football & Cheer League. Per the league's rules, games will still progress in the rain as long as there is no lightning.
We want our players to be prepared for this circumstance in a game setting, therefore practice will still go on even if it is still raining during practice time.
What is the schedule for the games?
All games are on Saturdays, unless it is a make up game.
It is up to the hosting team to determine what time in the day games start.
All game days begin with the youngest teams first and proceed successively by age group. Therefore, the (5&6) teams play first, then the (7&8) teams, etc.
We (Polk) cannot give you a schedule for the games until we receive it from the WNCYFC league. As soon as it is made available to us, we will give it to you.
What are special dates/events that PCYFC participates in?
Youth Night: On a home game night for the high school, cheerleaders will get to participate with the high school cheerleaders on the sidelines and any PCYFC football player will be recognized on the field at halftime.
Homecoming Parade: PCYFC cheerleaders and players will get to ride on a parade float for the county homecoming parade.
PCYFC Homecoming: Cheerleaders will be recognized and escorted on the field at halftime.
How do home games work?
Home games are usually held at the PCHS stadium.
Parents sign up and volunteer for concessions, to run the chains, etc.
We do not expect for parents to volunteer during their child's game; and so we ask that parents volunteer during the game before or after their child's game.
Volunteers get free admission and a free meal from the concession stand.
What is the "Jamboree"?
The Jamboree is a scrimmage event between several teams in the league.
It is typically scheduled for the 1st Saturday in August.
It is a chance for the cheerleaders and football players to participate in the first "game" type setting so that they can learn and adjust before the official games of the season begin.
Questions about Cheer
Please visit our Cheer FAQ page for all info!