Delaware Optimist Club Cheerleading

Welcome to the home of The Delaware Optimist Club Cheerleading Program!

About Cheerleading

The Delaware Optimist Football and Cheerleading program began in 1991 and has grown from 4 teams to as many as 18 in some seasons. The program includes teams from Delaware City, and the Kilbourne, Ashley, Ostrander and Elgin/Marion areas.

The goal of the football and cheerleading program is to provide early training in sports and good sportsmanship.

The specific goal of Cheerleading is to provide all children, regardless of previous experience or ability, basic cheerleading instruction. The league emphasizes basic cheerleading skills, good sportsmanship, and the importance of being a squad. This program does not offer advanced training, nor do the girls attend competitions. The most important goal of the program is for the kids to have a great time so they enjoy their cheerleading experience.

The program is run by the Delaware Optimist Club, a non-profit organization. All the coaches and commissioners are unpaid volunteers. Coaches who have joined the club pay to be in the club.

Cheerleading is open to children age 5 to 13. All are welcome and previous experience is not required.

Cheerleader's Code of Conduct

We ask that cheerleaders:

Have FUN!!
Work hard to improve your skills
Be a team player - get along with others on your squad
Learn good sportsmanship
Be on time for practice and games
Respect your coach, the other girls on your squad, your parents, opponents and officials

Parent's Code of Conduct

We ask that parents:

Do not force your children to participate in sports, but support their desires to play in their chosen sport. Children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment. Make it fun.
Encourage your child to follow the rules. Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud good plays on both teams.
Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches, advisors, or officials. By showing a positive attitude towards the game and all its participants, your child will benefit.
Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete.
De-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
Know and study the rules of the game and support the officials on and off the field. This approach will help in the development and support of the game. Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game.
Applaud a good effort in victory and in defeat and enforce the positive points of the game. Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice - it is destructive. Work toward removing the physical and verbal abuse from youth sports.
Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches and advisors. They are very important to the development of your child and the sport. Communicate with them and support them.
If you have a problem, please contact the club and tell us. We can't fix what we don't know about.
If you enjoy the game, learn all you can about the game, and volunteer!

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Registration Information

Signups for the 2010 season will start next spring. Please check back with us then.

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Game Schedules and Calendar

2010 dates will be annouced next year. Please check back!

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Cheerleading Coaches

The Delaware Optimist Cheerleading Program would not run without its valuable coaches and their assistants! We are very grateful for the time, energy, patience and experience they bring to the league and to the girls.

Cheerleading Coaches are all unpaid volunteers. They are not required to be members of the Optimist Club, but are welcome to get involved in other club activities. All have had cheering experience or have an assistant who has.

The role of the Coach is to teach basic cheering skills, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. Since ours is a basic program, coaches do not teach gymnastics or competition level material.

Would you like to Coach?

We are always in need of coaches. Coaches:

Must be at least 18 years of age
Enjoy working with kids
Have some cheerleading experience or have access to someone who does (such as a current/past school cheerleader or an adult who has cheered previously)

If you are interested, please email cheer@delawareoptimistclub.com.

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Contact Us

Email: cheer@delawareoptimistclub.com

Mailing Address:

Delaware Optimist Club
P.O. Box 312
Delaware, Ohio 43015

Other members of the Delaware Optimist Club can be contacted by visiting the main contact page for the club.