Cheerleading


The West Orange PAL offers anyone ages 5-14 (1st to 8th grade) the opportunity be a part of the West Orange Mustangs. The PAL Cheerleaders have supported the Mustang Football players to many championships.
Our goal is to provide our youth a sense of teamwork, team spirit, pride, sportsmanship, and discipline. Our season begins August 4th with practices weekday evenings. During this time the teams will learn their Spirit cheers, Half-time Dances, and Sideline Cheers. UCA Cheer Camp with UCA trainers will take place in August at WOHS! After the first game in September, practices will be 2-3 evenings a week.
Get ready to cheer on the sidelines and take center stage with the West Orange PAL Competition Cheer Team! As the fall football season kicks off, so does the exhilarating journey of our Comp Team. This dynamic squad dives into local competitions—think UCA, NCA, and NJCDCA Certified events—running from November through early March. Once the football season wraps up, our dedicated cheerleaders jump into action with rigorous evening practices at Redwood Elementary, gathering 3-4 times a week. It's not just about the routines; it’s a commitment that fosters teamwork, skill, and unforgettable memories. Join us for an exciting season filled with spirit, camaraderie, and the thrill of competition! Are you ready to cheer?
Registration for the 2025 Season
Online Registration for Cheerleading:
Registration Costs:
February 1 - March 30: $325
April 1- July 15th: $350
After July 15th there is a $50 late fee ($400 for the season)
NEW CHEERLEADERS - Cheer Uniform Package: $160** (Grades 4-8)
*Returning Cheerleaders do not need to purchase the warm-up package
**Must be registered by July 1st to be guaranteed to have practice gear for Practice and to receive Uniform mid August
Practices will begin August 4th, 2025
UCA CAMP: August 2025 - dates TBA
Halftime Choreography Camp: tentatively: August 23-24th, 9am-1pm Location TBA
Mandatory Attendance for Grades 4-8
Practices:
All Teams: Mondays-Thursday: August 2025
Grades 1-5: Tuesdays/Thursdays, September - November 2025
Grades 6-8: Wednesdays/Fridays, September - November 2025
Payment Options:
In Person Payment in Full: Check made out to WOPAL, cash, credit card
Venmo (@WOPAL) must email the registration form to Info@wopal.org
Installment Payments must be done through Online Registration
Refunds will be honored through July 15th. Partial Refunds after July 15th-July 31st. There are no refunds as of August 1st.
PRACTICE PACKAGE! Ordered through Thompson's Sporting Goods, Mandatory for all new cheerleaders. Cheer practice package includes: Practice tank top, practice t-shirt, and practice shorts.
NEW CHEERLEADERS ONLY: Game Uniform Package: $170 *
New Cheerleaders (in Grades 4-8) to the program will be fitted for their own uniform which includes vest, skirt, bodyliner, and bloomers. Pom Poms are also provided.
* Returning Cheerleaders in grades 4-8 do not need to purchase a new uniform unless would like to do so.
Cheerleaders in Grades 1-3: Will be provided a game uniform by the PAL which will include vest, skirt, body liner, and bloomers.
Competition Team
Tryouts - COMING Soon for 25/26 Team
Tryouts for the Winter 2025/2026 team will be held AUGUST 5, 6, & 7th, 6-8pm
Location: at WOHS.
Mandatory Choreography Session: Saturday Sept. 6, 9am-1pm, at WOHS
Day 1 & 2 Cheerleaders will learn the material, Day 3 is Evaluations by UCA Judge
Open to ALL WO Residents in Grades 5-8
You must participate in the Fall Sideline Cheer Season to be eligible for the Competition Team. If you have a prior fall commitment but want to participate on the Competition team, please contact Info@wopal.org
REGISTER For TRYOUTS HERE:
https://bit.ly/PALCompCheerTryouts25
There are separate registration fees for the Competition Team: approximately $550 plus any fees should the team decide to enter additional competitions*. Fee includes 7-8 competitions**, buses for IMPACT competitions, and insurance.
*If the team attends Regionals and qualifies for Nationals at Disney, there may be additional costs. If the team enters a UCA/Varsity Sponsored Competition, there may be an additional cost. The WO PAL Comp Cheer team will receive specialized training at The LAB in Fairfield (separate fee). Practice package and Competition team jersey are required ($200 total).
**States will be determined based on NJCADA.
MANDATORY Choreography Camp Day: September 6, 9am-1pm
Practices:
Mondays: August 2025
Mondays & Thursdays: September - October 2025
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: November 2025- first week of March 2026
*September/October Thursdays will be at The LAB in Fairfield
Competitions:
7-8 Saturdays or Sundays between November 2025 & March 2026; most Recreational-level competition schedules are announced the week before. Competitions do fall of MLK Weekend and President's Weekend.
Fees for the season will be collected through installments and with fundraisers.
Kick Off Clinic for the 2025 Season
To kick off the season we will host a clinic with Comp Team Coach Taylor Calixto!
July 29: 6-7:30pm; Location TBD
Open to ALL WO Residents in Grades 1-8
Session is $10 - in person at the door or Venmo @WOPAL
PreRegister at: COMING SOON
Common Questions:
When does practice start?
The season begins July 29th at the West Orange High School track.
Practices are held Monday through Thursday until our first game in mid September. Then we scale back to 2-3 nights a week.
Do I need my own equipment?
PAL provides cheerleaders with cheer bows and pom poms. Cheerleaders in grades 1-3 will receive a game uniform (long sleeves, vest, and skirt) returned at the end of the season. You will need to provide socks, sneakers/cheer shoes, bloomers (returning cheerleaders). Cheerleaders in Grades 4-8 purchase their own uniform which is kept. These uniforms are also used for the Competition Cheer team.
What events do you cheer for?
Our teams cheer at each PAL football game, which take place on Sundays and a few Saturday nights. Cheerleaders are expected to attend both home & away games. We also participate in clinics and charity events throughout the fall and winter.
What events does the Competition team attend?
Our Competition team will begin practices in September with competitions beginning as early as November. Practices will continue throughout the competition season ending around March 8th with the IMPACT Last Team Standing Competition. Cheerleaders are expected to attend practices and competitions. Competitions are UCA and/or NJCDCA certified.
How do I contact the coach?
Each team will have a TeamSnap account which will allow you to reach out to the coaches.
How do I get involved in the PAL Cheerleading Program?
PAL is always looking for volunteers to help promote and create a positive experience for the youth of West Orange. Volunteer options include but are not limited to coaching, game day support, field maintenance, public relations and fundraising. Cheer coaches should be familiar with UCA and NJCDCA regulations and certification.
To get involved or for additional information, please e-mail info@wopal.org.
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