Competition Cheering 2026-2027
Tri-Town Knights Competition Cheering
Grades PreK - 8th
Learn some fun routines and work as a team to perform at several competitions throughout the season!
Registration OPENS: Monday, September 7th
Registration DEADLINE: Friday, October 23rd
ASSESSMENTS (2nd, 4th & 6th grade only): Wednesday, November 4th
This is only for athletes with prior cheer experience who wish to assess up to the next level.
Please submit your athlete assessment request no later than: Friday, October 30th
Only one assessment date will be provided.
MANDATORY PARENT MEETING
Friday, November 6th
Poland Town Hall
6pm-7pm
Cost: $70
(Includes rental of Cheer uniform and a hair bow. Bow can be kept at the end of the season).
Participants are responsible for finding all white, laced sneakers.
No velcro! This is a MYCCA rule for safety purposes.
Payment must be received no later than December 1st and prior to receiving a uniform. Athlete will not be issued a uniform until registration fee is paid in FULL.
PRACTICES, COACHES, DIVISIONS
Practices begin the week of November 8th
NOTE: We have two locations where practices will be held. The Poland Town Hall, and the Mechanic Falls Town Office gym, located
in the basement of the Town Hall building (108 Lewiston St., Mechanic Falls)
COACHING: We are looking for a Mini Knights coach. If you have prior cheer experience and would like to coach, please reach out to Vanessa at
vharlow@polandtownoffice.org
Mini Knights (PreK + K) - Rising Stars Division
COACHES: TBD
Sundays = 12pm-1:15pm, 2nd practice TBD
Mighty Knights (Grades 1+2) - Rising Stars Division
COACHES: Myshel Gagne
Mondays & Wednesdays* 6-7:30pm
*Wednesdays practice will be at the Mechanic Falls gym
Royal Knights (Grades [2], 3+4) - Shooting Stars Division
COACHES: Lauren Paine & Michelle Carlton
Sundays 1:30-3:30pm, Wednesdays & Fridays* 6-8pm
*Friday's practice will be at the Mechanic Falls gym
Regal Knights (Grades [4], 5 + 6) - Shining Stars Division
COACH: Casey Barnett
Sundays 3:45-5:45pm, Tuesdays* & Thursdays 6-8pm
*Tuesdays practice will be at the Mechanic Falls gym
Varsity Knights (Grades [6], 7 + 8) - Super Stars Division
COACHES: Sarah Allen & Shelly Coltart
Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays* & Fridays 6-8pm
*Thursday's practice will be at the Mechanic Falls gym
MANDATORY STUNTING CLINIC FOR REGALS & VARSITY:
Saturday, October 10th 4-8pm
This will be to determine stunt groups prior to choreography
MANDATORY VARSITY CHOREOGRAPHY:
Wednesday, December 9th 4pm-8pm at the Mechanic Falls gym
MANDATORY PARENT MEETING
The first practice will be a mandatory parent meeting run by the team's coaches. A code of conduct form will be handed out to be signed and turned in. Uniform sizing will also take place at this first practice. We ask for parent assistance for the younger teams to do sizing.
PRACTICES
ALL Cheering practices are CLOSED
The Mini Knights will have the first two weeks open to allow time for the athlete to get acquainted with the coach as we understand that age group can be more shy.
Coaches reserve the right to hold practices without an audience. For safety reasons we need to have as little distraction for the cheerleaders and coaches. Some routines are challenging and we do not want to create any unnecessary risk. Coaches may offer sneak peak practices during the season. You will have many opportunities to see your child(ren) perform throughout the season.
Parents may wait out in the lobby area if they wish for the Mini and Mighty Knights teams.
Season runs November 8th through April 10th.
ATTENDANCE
We have a strict attendance policy for Competition Cheering. This program requires all it's participants to be present at ALL practices in order for the routines to be a success. If your child is ill; you must call the coach to inform them of their absence as soon as possible. If the coach does not receive a phone call or notification of your child's absence prior to the start of practice, it will be marked as unexcused. If a child is sick for more than 2 practices, a doctor's note will be required to return.
Stunting and formation makes this sport difficult to function without all team members. Three unexcused absences can result in being removed from the team without a refund.
Coaches will decide on what is considered an excused or unexcused absence.
We understand some families like to take vacations during February break, please let coaches know ASAP if you plan to be away. If coaches do not get notification of an absence, it will count as unexcused.
Choreography
We will be holding a MANDATORY choreography session for the Varsity team. Your athlete MUST attend.
VARSITY CHOREOGRAPHY DATE/TIMES
Wednesday, December 9th = 4pm-8pm
Please make sure to pack plenty of healthy snacks and a full water bottle
ASSESSMENTS
Date: Wednesday, November 4th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Town Hall
2nd, 4th and 6th graders with prior competitive cheering experience can request to be assessed to be considered to move up.
NOTE - 2nd, 4th and 6th graders who are assessed will only move up to the next division if:
(1) there is room on the team (some teams may already be full)
(2) their skill level and readiness to be moved up to the next level
Assessing does not guarantee your athlete will be moved up.
Assessment results will be shared before practices start, not at assessment night. Please allow time for coaches to deliberate.
- If you are interested in being assessed and you meet the criteria above, please contact our office by no later than October 20th.
- If your child can not make the assessment date, your child will not be considered for advancement. No make-up dates will be scheduled.
- Only those with prior Cheerleading experience will be considered for assessments.
If you wish to have your 2nd, 4th and 6th graders to be assessed, please email Vanessa at:
Email: vharlow@polandtownoffice.org
DISCLAIMER
Cheering is a physically challenging sport which requires lifting other participants, tumbling and constant movement. You may want to consider consulting a physician prior to participation.
We do require conditioning as part of our program to safely be able to perform the routines and stunting procedures. Conditioning outside of practice times are strongly encouraged. Failure to participate in conditioning can result in your child not be allowed to be assigned to a stunt group.
Father-Daughter Ball
We plan to host a Father-Daughter Ball Saturday, January 16th.
Parent volunteers are required. This can be in the form of a food donation, volunteering during the event or help with setting up and clean-up.
An email will go out closer to the event with sign-ups.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Regal & Varsity Stunting Clinic - Saturday, October 10th
Assessment Deadline - October 31st
October 23rd - Registration Deadline
November 4th - Assessments for 2nd, 4th and 6th graders...see above info.
Mandatory Parent Meeting- Friday, November 6th 6-7pm
Uniform Sizing - At first practice
Practices begin week of November 8th
December 9th - Mandatory Choreography for Varsity
Saturday, January 16th - Father-Daughter Ball @ PCS
Saturday, January 23rd - Family & Friends Night @ PCS
Friday, March 12th - Spirit Invitational Set-up 6pm-8pm @ PRHS
Saturday, March 13th - Hosting Spirit Invitational @ PRHS
Saturday, April 3rd - Maine Cheer Classic
Saturday, April 10th Cheer Ceremony- PRHS
FUNDRAISING
We have several ways in which we raise money for our cheer program to help offset the cost of registrations. Participation from parents is required. Failure to acquire the necessary volunteers for certain events could result in not being able to hold that event in future, and could result in increased registration fees.
Ways in which we fundraise are:
Father-Daughter Ball
Spirit Invitational
Ways parents can help:
Volunteer to prepare food or donate food
Setup for either event
Cleanup for either event
Volunteering for certain duties at either event (serving food, admission, etc.)
Moving cheer mats to and from events - this is a huge help!
Payment Options
At the end of registration, you will have two options:
OPTION 1 (button on the left): Pay entire amount via credit card online (subject to a 3% processing fee) or
OPTION 2 (button on the right) choose "Print a Pre-Registration Form" to pay via check or cash. A red message will then pop up saying,
“You will not be registered until payment is received”
Please hit the green “Yes” button to complete the registration. We will then see it on our end to complete your registration. If you don’t hit “Yes”, we will not see that you are attempting to register and you will have to start over.
You will receive an email confirmation when registration is complete.
Please make checks payable to: TOWN OF POLAND
Memo line: Cheering
Payments can be dropped off in our office during office hours, or placed in our drop box. Our drop box is located directly to the left of our office entrance. Please place payment in the door, so it drops to the bottom when you close it.
You can login into your account any time after registration and make payment. Subject to a 3% processing fee. If you have any questions, please call our office at:
207-998-4601 option 5
Spirit Invitational
Each season the Poland Parks & Recreation Knights Cheering Program hosts a competition for youth teams throughout Maine. We are always looking for volunteers for this event. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Vanessa:
vharlow@polandtownoffice.org
DATE: March 13, 2027
LOCATION: Poland Regional High School Gym