Valerie Kirincich is a Wilton Youth Cheerleading coach.
It seems too early to think of fall sports since spring has barely gotten underway, but registration is now open for Wilton Youth Cheerleading and Football until June 17. The program is open to Kindergarten to 8th graders, begins the last week of August and runs until November. Last year Wilton Youth Cheerleading boasted an enrollment of 153 girls. There were five squads in the K-2 level; in grades 3-8 there is only one squad per grade. Grades K-2 cheer mainly for flag football games; third grade and up cheer for tackle football games and have several away games.
Cheerleading is an energetic sport that combines dance, gymnastics and fun! Girls are welcome to join at any level. Every year there are new dances and cheers that make the program exciting for new girls as well as for returning cheerleaders. The pre-season clinics offered in August are a great intro to the season. All girls can attend the clinic run by the Wilton High School Cheerleaders who create the cheers and choreograph halftime routines for each grade. Girls in grades 3 and up can attend a professional stunt clinic where they learn safety and teamwork as it relates to stunts. Both clinics are important and give the girls a chance to get to know each other and and establish a comraderie for the season.
At the K-2 level, the girls will do simple stunts up until second grade. The complexity will depend on the coach and the skills of the girls on the squad. As their skills progress the stunts grow progressively harder. There is dancing and some simple gymnastics involved as the girls in all grades perform at halftime.
An option offered for girls grade 6-8 is the competition squad. It starts after the regular cheer season ends and runs until March. These girls practice twice a week and perform competitively against other cheer squads in CT. This year’s squad had a second place win in their final competition.
Mary Chila and Jen Hough have taken on the roles this year as the new co-directors of Wilton Youth Cheerleading. It is a job that requires great organization, planning and a true heart for Cheerleading. Mary Chila and I are friends and coached together our first year into the program which was, (time flies), 4 years ago. We sat down recently to discuss the upcoming season and Cheer in general.
Valerie Kirincich: Mary, what is the most common misconception about Cheerleading?
Mary Chila: We’ve all heard the phrase, “Cheerleading isn’t a sport,” but I can’t think of any sport that combines leadership, stamina, and energy like Cheer does. Interestingly enough it is also a sport that is both individual and team-oriented. Each girl works on her skills to the best they can be and then uses what she’s learned to be part of the squad. These girls are dedicated to the Wilton Youth Football teams that they are cheering for but love their chance to shine at halftime. They love to get the crowd going with their cheers to help their team win.
VK: You’ve coached the K-2 squads for three years now. Being a high school and college cheerleader yourself, how do you bring your experiences to coaching cheer to such little girls. Is it similar?
MC: I would say there are a lot of similarities. For one, every cheerleader needs to learn poise in front of a crowd. For practices and games I always start in a circle. It helps the girls bond to take turns leading the circle. I also teach them leadership by giving the girls a chance to teach each other cheers at practice where it’s a little more laid back. It’s rewarding to see my quietiest girl step up and call out a cheer at a game, even if it takes her all season to do it.
VK: What is your favorite part of the Cheer program?
MC: I really enjoy seeing the girls at the Wilton High School Cheer clinic. It’s fun to watch the little girls and big girls bond together. It’s such a fun time. The High School Cheerleaders do an amazing job with this clinic and the little girls look up to them as role models.
VK: I agree! How about Youth night? I feel like that’s always a highlight for my squad.
MC: Yes, definitely! To see all of the WYF football players and cheerleaders come together at the high school football game is amazing. And all the cheerleaders, K – 8th grade and Varsity performing together at halftime is quite an experience.
VK: What can the girls look forward to this season that might be a little different since you and Jen took on the co-director roles?
MC: We are basically sticking with the same program since we feel like it was organized well. We are adding our own touches as far as a slight change in uniforms. We’re also hoping to make the Wilton Youth Cheerleading page on the Wilton Youth Football website a little more informative with recent events and pictures.
VK: Any closing words to a girl who is not sure if they want to try Cheerleading?
MC: I’m really excited to meet and coach the new girls who join our program this year. You don’t have to be an incredible gymnast, dancer or even particularly outgoing. Cheer is a great sport for any girl that is friendly, likes to have a good time and likes to be part of a team!
Wilton Youth Football and Cheerleading Registration is open until June 17th. To register, visit the Wilton Youth Football site.