Placement & policies

Athlete code of conduct

Responsibility

A WSA athlete is responsible for their own actions, attitude and behaviour. All athletes are expected to be team players and understand that their actions can affect the whole team.

• Arrive at training, events and competitions on time, prepared and in the correct attire and footwear.
• Remove all jewellery and piercings; keep nails at a safe length. New piercings must be planned so jewellery is fully healed and removable before training.
• Bring a positive attitude, give your best effort, take corrections and work hard.
• Encourage, support and motivate teammates.
• Profanity, bullying, intimidation and deliberately disruptive behaviour are not tolerated.

Respect

• Treat teammates with kindness and respect; bullying, exclusion and unkind behaviour are not tolerated.
• Respect coaches, committee members, team captains, venues, equipment and venue staff.
• Listen to coaches and follow instructions for everyone’s safety.
• Show good sportsmanship towards other programmes and respect judging decisions and competition results.

Represent

• When wearing WSA clothing, attending WSA activities or representing WSA online, behaviour reflects on the programme.
• Never post negative or inappropriate content about WSA, its community, officials or other programmes.
• Raise team matters privately with a coach, not publicly or on social media.
• Do not share unapproved photos, videos, routines, choreography or team content.
• Speak to a coach if you have a concern, feel uncomfortable or need help.

Parent/guardian code of conduct

• Competitive cheerleading is a team sport. Cheer should not be withdrawn as a consequence at home or school, and academic work should be planned around training.
• Training times and additional sessions may change during the season. Competition arrangements may also change outside WSA’s control.
• Remain contactable by phone while the athlete attends training, events or competitions.
• Tell coaches about any injury, illness, medical condition or change that affects safe participation.
• Stay informed through team WhatsApp groups and emails, especially on competition days.
• Photographs and videos may be taken at WSA activities and used on WSA’s website and official social channels.
• Athletes must attend competitions in the correct uniform, footwear, bow and required items.
• Athletes and families must show good sportsmanship. Abuse, aggression or disrespect towards coaches, athletes, families, officials or other programmes is not tolerated.
• Do not share private team information, choreography or routines without permission.
• Coaching decisions about athletes, teams, routines and placements are final. Crossover placements are not guaranteed; athletes may be moved where skill, attitude, commitment or conduct requires it.
• All fees are non-refundable. Monthly subs are equal payments across September–August and remain payable regardless of the number of sessions in a month.
• Costs already committed on an athlete’s behalf remain payable after withdrawal, including outstanding competition entries.

Attendance policy

Competitive cheerleading requires commitment from athletes and families. One absence can affect stunt groups, formations, choreography and the whole team’s progress. These expectations apply equally to all athletes.

Excused absences

• Family bereavement
• Illness involving vomiting
• School events
• Sporting competitions

Unexcused absences

• Homework or revision
• Birthdays
• Parties or concerts
• Holidays

Three-strike policy

Each unexcused absence is one strike. Three strikes during the season result in loss of the athlete’s team place. Parents or guardians are notified when a strike is recorded.

Before competitions

Attendance is expected at every scheduled session in the three weeks before a competition. After an absence, coaches decide whether an athlete is prepared to compete safely and confidently and may remove them from the roster.

Reporting absence, injury and illness

Tell the coach as soon as possible. Known school events or sporting competitions should be communicated at the start of the season. Injured athletes are still expected to attend and observe unless contagious, vomiting or too unwell to participate safely.

Accept a team place

Only complete this form after receiving a team-placement email.

Your details are stored securely in WSA HQ and used for placement administration and athlete safety.