DIVISION 14 ELITE
Below is some important information about NJAYF D14 Elite Team, the selection process and what to expect after making the team.
About D14 Elite
The NJAYF D14 Elite team is the cheerleading equivalent of the NJAYF 8th Grade Unlimited All-Star football team. It is a competitive team made up of the top cheerleaders from across our league to compete at the AYC National Cheer Championships against D14 Elite teams from other leagues around the country.
Our Elite Teams is a Level 4 team made up of 18 cheerleaders. If thirty-six or more cheerleaders try out for the team, we can possibly have two teams. The team practices once a week on Sunday beginning September 10, 2023 until the Big East Region Competition on November 11, 2023. After that we will practice twice a week (dates and times TBD) until the AYC National Cheer Championships in December.
D14 Elite cheerleaders will still compete with their home associations throughout the season. And if her home association qualifies for the National Championships, the D14 Elite cheerleader will compete with both teams at Nationals. If her home team does not qualify for Nationals, the D14 Elite cheerleader will still travel to nationals and compete with the NJAYF D14 Elite team.
The Selection Process
To be considered for the Elite Team, a cheerleader must be between the ages of 11 and 14 (as of July 31, 2023) and must be on either a D12, D14 or D16 team in their hometown. All 8th Grade cheerleaders (within the permitted ages) are invited to tryout without needing a nomination from their hometown. All other cheerleaders within the permitted ages, who are not in the 8th Grade, must obtain a nomination from their team’s Head Coach in order to try out. There is no limit to how many cheerleaders may try out from each town. Everyone trying out is to complete the online D14 Elite Tryout Form and submit it by August 13, 2023. The link to the Tryout Form can be found at www.njayf.org.
Selection Camp Information
Saturday and Sunday, August 26 & 27, 2023 (must attend both days)
Saturday - August 26th
Jackson Jaguars Field House
133 Manhattan Street
8:30am - 12:30pm
Mandatory Parent Meeting at 9am
Sunday - August 27th
Middlesex Blue Jays Nest
250 Hallock Ave
9:30am - 1:30pm
Fee: $20.00 cash - NO REFUNDS
All Nominees will receive a bow commemorating their participation in the D14 Elite Selection Camp. Nominees unable to attend the selection camp may make arrangements for an alternate tryout date or video tryout.
One week prior to camp, cheerleaders will be emailed a video containing the tryout dance to learn before they come to camp. At camp, cheerleaders will perform the tryout dance in groups, work on various stunts, and showcase their tumbling and jump skills. Evaluations will take place throughout the day.
The team(s) will be selected using the information on the Tryout Form and the Evaluation Sheets. Team selections will be made by September 1, 2023.
Making the Team
If you make the team, there are several administrative tasks that must be completed by September 10, 2023.
-
Registration fee of $225.00 payable to NJAYF is due by September 10 . (Payment plan available if needed) - NO REFUNDS
-
The registration fee covers the following costs: competition registration fee, music fee, choreography fee, competition uniform, practice outfit, competition bow, practice bow, and some gym rental fees.
-
The registration fee does not cover travel expenses. It also might not cover all gym rental fees.
-
-
Copy of cheerleader paperwork is due by September 10th – (player track card, emergency contact info, birth certificate, medical release, etc.) We only need copies of these documents.
Practices will begin the weekend of September 10 . Practices will be Sunday nights so that they do not conflict with football games or other cheer practices. Practice locations will most likely change from week to week based on mat availability and so that cheerleaders coming from the north do not always have to go south for practice or vice versa. And please note that all home team obligations come before Elite Team obligations.
The team will perform a portion of their competition routine at the Big East Cheer Championships on November 11, 2023. And after the region competition, the team will practice twice a week prior to leaving for Nationals.
AYC National Championships
The AYC National Championships is December 7-10, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Cheerleaders are expected to arrive in Orlando the night of Wednesday, December 7. The team will practice early (around 7am or 8am) Thursday, December 8th location TBD.
Cheerleaders whose home team qualifies for Nationals will travel and stay with their home teams throughout the duration. Cheerleaders whose home teams do not qualify for Nationals will stay with the NJAYF D14 Elite team.
The AYC National Competition will be held at the Silver Spurs Arena in Orlando, FL on December 10th.
More information about AYC Nationals, such as hotel information, practice information and travel, will be handed out at a later date.
If you have any questions regarding the NJAYF Division 14 Elite Team, please feel free to contact our Cheer Commissioner, Mary Ellen Earp, via email at meearp@njayf.org