Join a Great Valley Junior Patriots’ cheerleading squad and fall in love with this fun, popular sport. Our squads build self-confidence, teach sportsmanship and create lasting friendships among the athletes.  Our athletes learn cheers, chants, jumps, dances, and stunting — and will perform them all during football games, special events and an end-of-season cheerleading exhibition.

We provide athletic opportunities for beginners to experienced cheerleaders:

• Flag Football Cheerleading Squad for children in grades K - 1
• Tackle Football Cheerleading Squads for youth in grades 2 - 6

All students in the Great Valley school district, students from other public or private schools and home-schooled students are invited to join the Great Valley Junior Patriots!

Athlete Commitment:
Cheerleading requires a strong commitment to the program. Squads need every member present on a regular basis to perform their cheers, dances and especially stunts! The success of the program is driven by the level of support delivered by our coaches, players, parents, volunteers and the community. 

As a Great Valley Junior Patriot Cheerleader, your child will:

• Learn cheers, jumps, dances and stunts
• Build self-confidence through hard work and dedication
• Enjoy being part of a close-knit team
• Create new and lasting friendships
• Have the opportunity to perform in a cheer exhibition.

Parent Commitment:
GVFL is 100% run by volunteers. As parents, you will be asked and expected to volunteer throughout the season. In addition, as members of the Inter-County Football League, we are held to a high standard of conduct not only on the field but also on the sidelines. Both players and parents will be asked to sign a code of conduct and will be held accountable.

Member of the Inter County Football League:
We are a proud member of the Inter County Football League.

Child Safety is Our Priority:
All coaches, assistant coaches and any volunteers in direct contact with cheerleaders have completed a criminal background check and child abuse clearance.

Cheer Squads:
To ensure a safe and positive environment, each cheerleader is placed in a division based on grade. All children who are registered before the deadline will make the squad.

Kindergarten-First Grade: Flag Squad

2nd Grade-6th Grade: Tackle Squads

If you have any questions about which squad your child will be assigned to, please contact our Cheer Director at [email protected].

Practice Uniform:
For practices, all cheerleaders should wear a t-shirt or tank, athletic shorts and cheer sneakers (no running shoes). Pull hair back in a ponytail and remove all jewelry including post earrings. Please bring a water bottle labeled with your child's name.

Game Uniform:
GVFL will provide each cheerleader with a cheer skirt and shell. Pom poms will be provided for practices and games and be collected after each event for proper storage.

Families will need to provide a V-neck white long-sleeve bodysuit for colder temperatures, royal blue bloomers, cheer socks and white leather cheer sneakers. For your convenience, most of these items will be available for purchase online. A link will be provided. 

Physical Exam:
Tackle squad cheerleaders are required to have a physical exam completed by a physician before practicing with the squad. This is done at the expense of the parent/guardian. Physicals must be dated after 1/1/2018 and returned no later than August 1, 2018, to start practice.

Flag squad cheerleaders are not required to have a physical exam.

Practice & Games:
All teams practice at the GVBL center located at 19 N. Bacton Hill Rd., Malvern Pa. It is imperative that every child be able to commit to being at practice in order for the squads to run fairly and efficiently.  Other practice locations will be announced with ample notice as needed.

Flag Squad:
Practice for the flag squad begins on August 8, 2018.   Practice is every Wednesday night from 6 pm -7 pm.  After school starts, the flag squad will practice 6 pm - 6:45 pm on Wednesdays. 

The GVFL flag season begins on Sunday September 9, 2018 and consists of eight games.  Flag games are Sunday mornings. Games are played at the GVBL Center or the Great Valley High School stadium.  Complete schedule with game times and locations TBA.

Tackle Squads:
Practice for tackle squads begins on August 6, 2018. All tackle squads will practice Monday through Wednesday from 6 pm - 7:30pm. After school starts, squads will practice Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30 pm - 8 pm. 

Tackle squads cheer in an eight game season (not including playoffs).  If your squad's tackle football team qualifies for the playoffs (5th and 6th grade only), additional games will be added at the end of the regular season. Tackle squad home games are played on Sundays at the Great Valley High School stadium.  For away games, the tackle squads travel to other Inter-County Football League team locations. Most away games are played on Saturdays.  Complete schedule of game times and locations TBA.

Cheerleading Competition:
At the end of the season, squads will participate in the ICFL Cheer-Off. More details to follow. The exhibition is open to all tackle cheerleaders. Each participating squad prepares an exciting routine combining cheers, music, dance, stunts, tumbling and crowd participation. Our cheerleaders take pride in being an important part of this amazing event!

Player ID Badges:
All tackle cheerleaders will be issued an official GVFL ID badge. Badges will be provided by GVFL and be issued on Picture Day. All tackle players will need a badge. Once issued, badges are held by GVFL representatives.

Flag Football squad cheerleaders do not need a League Photo ID Card.