Attendance & Punctuality Policy

CVA ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY POLICY

REVIEWED: JANUARY 2026

 

Name of organisation:  CHEER VALLEY ALLSTARS - CVA 

 

Designated person(s):  Sarah Williams

 

The following statement sets out the Attendance and Punctuality Policy for Cheer Valley Allstars 

 

Aims of the policy

Here at Cheer Valley Allstars - CVA we believe that in order for our teams to succeed, good attendance and punctuality is key. We strongly advocate perfect attendance amongst all our competitive teams to ensure their best possible chance at competition. Cheerleading is a team sport, and with one link in the team missing, the entire team suffers. 

 

This policy exists to allow clarity for team members and their families, and to ensure fairness and equality for all team members alike with regards to this issue. 

 

A record at training will be kept of all absences; authorised and unauthorised.

 

Authorised absences

Authorised absences from training can take any of the following forms:

• Illness involving sickness/diarrhoea or anything contagious

• Family holidays during school holiday times

• Important family events (eg wedding)

• Residential/camp for school or another extra-curricular activity 

• Sudden family death/illness

• Year 6, 11 or 13 Leavers Events 

 

Each instance of authorised absence must be provided to the coaches with as much notice as possible. This should via the absence form on the website after a conversation with the head coach to ensure that it will count as an authorised absence.  

 

No athlete under the age of 16 can authorise their own absence. No absences that are sent through to a coach’s personal phone or personal social media account will be authorised. We will deal with each authorised absence on a case-by-case basis and for the vast majority there will be no repercussions.

Unauthorised absences

Unauthorised absences from training can take any of the following forms (but are not limited to):

• Illness not including sickness/diarrhoea. We expect all cheerleaders to attend training (even if only to watch) if they are feeling a little under the weather, or they are injured. 

• A non-essential school event (e.g. another extra-curricular activity, helping at an Open Day)

• Friends, family or own birthday parties/other similar social events

• Not done homework

• Feeling a bit poorly

• Punishment from parents. If the athlete has misbehaved in any way, the gym can suggest an appropriate gym-based punishment (i.e. extra conditioning) that does not impact the team.

• Absence from training without notification.

 

In order to minimise disruption to the team’s training, coaches must be provided with as much notice as possible for unauthorised absence. This should be via the absence form on the website and a message to the head coach. No athlete under the age of 16 can advise of their own absence. 

 

Unauthorised Absences and Strikes Policy

In the event that a coach deems an absence to be unauthorised, the athlete will be issued with a strike. If an athlete receives three strikes during a single run-up to a competition, the coaching team reserves the right to take appropriate action. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Removal from sections or stunt groups within the routine, in order to maintain team cohesion and ensure that the team can train effectively without disruption.

• Being removed entirely from the competition routine to allow the team to progress with consistent attendance and full commitment.

• Being moved to a lower-level squad if it is determined that the athlete’s attendance and engagement are not in line with the demands of their current team.

If any of the above actions are taken, no refunds will be issued for training or competition fees already paid.

Furthermore, depending on the severity and impact of the absences, the cheerleader may not be allowed to return to the team for the next competition, if the coaches believe this to be the most appropriate course of action for the team’s development and performance.

 

If no notice is given of a cheerleader missing training, for whatever reason, it will be deemed an unauthorised absence and a strike will be issued.  

 

Punctuality

We understand that things happen, there are unexpected road works, the wrong leaves are on the line, however we ask for good punctuality so that those themes when it is unavoidable it doesn't have such a big impact. 

Good punctuality is essential if your cheerleader wishes to play a part in a successful team. If a cheerleader arrives late to training, even by 5-10 minutes, it can have a detrimental effect both on the cheerleader who is late, and the rest of the team. We advise that all cheerleaders arrive to training 5-10 minutes EARLY, to ensure they have the correct footwear on, ensure they have removed all jewellery – and caught up with their friends before practice begins! 

 

Red Weeks

We run a “Red Week” period for all teams in our program, this is the period leading up to a competition. Absolutely no absences will be authorised within this time period, regardless of the reason. Athletes who miss practice during red weeks may be removed from the competition routine, with no refunds given on fees or competition entry/spectator tickets. This is NOT to punish the athlete, as we are aware that illness and emergencies can happen. This is to HELP the remainder of the team, who must always come first, and allow them to train fully without that member present. Amber weeks are the weeks prior to Red Weeks. Missing 2 amber practi

 

Attendance and Punctuality at competitions 

As with training, we expect perfect attendance and punctuality at competitions. Notice for competitions and their venues are provided months in advance. Please plan to be there the whole day, as times for competing for each team are not released to us until about 1-2 weeks before the event.

 

Your child does not have to attend competitions with their parent, but they must be supervised by a responsible adult. Another adult can transport your child and be responsible for them for the day – this is a decision made by yourselves as parents/carers. 

 

All competitions are mandatory for all athletes on that particular team. Athletes are not expected to be in attendance at events they are not competing at.

 

It is absolutely unacceptable to miss competition with no notice given to the coaches. This wastes an unprecedented amount of time from both the coaches and the rest of the team, and as the routine will then be seriously compromised, and potentially thousands of pounds will have been wasted in attending the event. Even in case of illness or emergency, please make every effort to ensure your cheerleader is at the event. Unless in exceptional circumstances (at the coaches discretion), any cheerleader missing an official competition with no warning given on the day will be instantly removed from Cheer Valley Allstars with no refunds given.

 

We will always give a “meet time” for competitions. This will be stated at practice, and published in the Whats app groups.  This is the time we expect your cheerleader to be at the agreed meeting point, with their kit on, all jewellery removed, and hair done in the agreed style, and makeup complete. Punctuality is key for this “ready time” as we may miss important warm up slots if cheerleaders are missing. If you are choosing to make your own way to competitions, please plan in advance of this time. These times may be very early in the morning and it is a family decision if you wish to organise accommodation for the night before the event. 

 

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The benefits of good attendance are numerous. Whilst we want all cheerleaders to have fun and enjoy their training, each athlete is a competitive athlete and this high level of commitment is required if our teams and program are going to upkeep a stellar competitive record. 

If you are unsure about any areas of this policy, we invite you to email us on coachsarah1@yahoo.co.uk where we will be happy to answer your questions.