What are SPIRIT GAME TEAMS?  Spirit Game Teams are cheerleading and kickline teams that support the GC Thunder Football program at select home games during the fall football season. Game Teams are open to youth in 2nd - 8th grades as of 9/20 who are interested in being part of team that will increase their commitment to cheerleading or kickline, raise community spirit and build confidence, athleticism and lasting friendships.  

  • Participants must have completed a GC Spirit Cheer or Kickline clinic or team prior to joining a game team
  • Game Team practice can start the week of July 27th and attendance is required.  Teams will have a total of 8 practices through the end of August averaging 2 nights a week on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night (team schedules TBD)
  • Fall practice with tentative days listed below
  • Cheer Teams will be capped at 12 members per team this year and some grades will have more than one cheer team as follows:   1 - 2nd Grade Team, 2 - 3rd Grade Teams, 2 - 4th Grade Teams, 2 - 5th & 6th Grade Teams and 1 - 7th & 8th Grade Team
  • Cheer stunting is not allowed per NYS and Nassau County guidelines at this time.  Cheer teams will focus on sideline cheers, cheer dance, jumps and cheer tumbling
  • Kickline Team dance routines will include no contact choreography at this time as per NYS and Nassau County guidelines
  • Cheer and kickline uniforms are under review given that anticipated long lead times may prohibit us from typical uniforms this year. We appreciate your understanding during this unprecedented time. 

Please know that GC Spirit Directors are working hard to ensure a safe return to the Spirit Game Team  Program. Registered game team members will receive additional information about our safe return policies, procedures and continency plan.  

LETS GO GC!
*********************************************
Game Team Season 2020 
Cheerleading for 2nd - 8th Grades as of 9/20
Kickline for 2nd - 8th Grades as of 9/20

  • SUMMER PRACTICES start the week of July 27th and team schedules are TBD
  • FALL PRACTICE starts mid-September - one day a week 
    • CHEER DETAILS:
      • Cheer Team 2nd - 4th Grades: Fall team practice on Mondays or Tuesdays 
      • Cheer Team 5th Grades: Fall team practice on Tuesdays or Thursdays 
      • Cheer Team Middle School:  Fall team practice on Tuesdays or Thursdays and/or Sundays.  Middle school 7th/8th grade students can participate in a school sport in the fall and still be part of the Spirit cheer team

    • KICKLINE DETAILS:
      • Little Kickline 2nd, 3rd & 4th Grades:  Fall Team Practice Mondays or Tuesdays 
      • Kickline Junior 5th & 6th Grade: Fall Team practice on Tuesdays or Thursdays
      • Kickline Senior 7th & 8th Grade:  Fall Team practice on Tuesdays or Thursdays and/or Sundays. Middle school students 7th/8th grade can participate in school sport in the fall and still be part of a Spirit kickline team

  • Fall Football Game Information:
    • PLEASE schedule all other activities around all game team practices and Sunday games 
    • Football Games are on Sundays starting in mid September between 8:00-3:30 start time
        • Cheer Teams: sideline cheer and perform halftime at 4 games during the season
        • Kickline Teams: perform at halftime at 4-5 games during the season
    • IMPORTANT: The football game schedule becomes available only a few days before the season starts. The schedule comes from the Nassau Football League and is given to us as soon as the Thunder football directors receive it.  Once we receive the schedule from the league, Spirit directors make the master Spirit game team schedule and share it with our members.  This is a always a few days before the season starts. Please do not contact us about the Sunday schedule.  You will receive it within a day of us receiving it. 
    • The game team schedule cheer and kickline schedule is made at the discretion of the directors.  As a result game times vary and Spirit game teams do not always support their similar grade football team.  No exceptions will be made to this policy. 
Additional Game Team Information:
  • Team registration fee includes:  summer practices, weekly fall practices from September - October/November, support football games during the season, custom team choreography and custom cheer/kick music.  
  • Uniforms, shoes, bows and poms are NOT included in the team registration fee.  Custom apparel may also be made available for optional purchase during the season.  
  • Cheer and kickline uniforms are under review given that anticipated long lead times may prohibit us from typical uniforms this year. We appreciate your understanding during this unprecedented time. 
  • We welcome participants of all levels from beginners to experienced cheerleaders, dancers and gymnasts.  Game Teams are divided by grade and by experience level as decided by GC Spirit Directors.  This policy is to ensure the safety of all of the girls.