SCZ London Cheerleaders

If you have answered 'Yes' to any of the questions above, the The Zoo is the place for you!

The purpose of Space City Zoo to create a network of adult cheerleaders in the UK from any squad to come together and participate in a variety of events and activities. To promote and uphold team spirit for the Cheerleading community, to develop good sportsmanship by example, to encourage socialising and co-operation between squads but most of all to give an opportunity to ex-university cheerleaders to still take part in competitions and activities without requiring extensive regular commitments.

Space City Zoo will not have a regular team representing the club on a regular basis, but for each project or event a 'Squad' will be formed temporarily from the pool of members, depending on availability and occasionally on the Club

Do you want to join SCZ as a full-time competition squad? Then go to:

SCZ Elite

Anyone above 18 can become member of Space City Zoo. However, when there is an event or competition taking place, the Club Manager (and client, if it is a paid event) will select the squad that is mostly appropriate, from the total number of people putting themselves forward for that project.

Members should have very regular access to the internet in order to access the Facebook group and their profile to receive important updates and invitations to events and activities
Membership & costsadd text, images, video, widgets, etc...

Membership costs £70 a year payable to Space City Zoo by cheque, cash or postal order. This fee will cover administration fees, booking of practice space, a club T-Shirt, insurance, eligibility to participate in all events and camps for free.

However you will be able to make this money back as you are paid back an average of  £50 Expenses when you take part in events.

All members must have a black SCZ t-shirt which will be given to you the first time you purchase membership.

It is not compulsory to own a uniform, however you must be able to borrow one from another member if you do not have your own, for certain events.

• Ribbon: £4
• Spankies: £6
• Winter uniform: £64 (mostly used for competitions & events in cold weather
• Summer / Events / SCZ Elite uniform: £64
• Unifit (for SCZ Elite competitions)
• Male Uniform: £55

We also have a number of SCZ Kit Items that we use for events which you can buy from The Zoo Store

Open Camps will take place every month for 3 hours at the Colombo Centre in Waterloo. These are not compulsory, however members will be strongly encouraged to attend. Members must attend one of the camps before they may take part in any event.

When deciding to take part in an event, participants of that project must agree to attend the additional practices for that particular event. (usually between 1  session of 3 hours, depending on the event) Training usually takes place at the Colombo Centre near Waterloo, or Richmond Dance.

Once your membershp is completed, you will be invited to join the official SCZ facebook group. Facebook events are generated from this official group, and ayone wishing to take part must RSVP. This is considered our official way of communication, therefore RSVPing as 'attending' is an official commitment. Members will also receive SMS notifications to alert them of a new event.

 All cheerleaders will be notified via the Facebook group and SMS once a new event is planned. A new 'event' will be created on Facebook by the committee every time. Cheerleaders who wish to take part in the event must be sure that they can attend ALL practices and event times before signing up. There will be no option saying 'maybe'- these will be considered as a no. Once a member has 'confirmed' his or her attendance, they will be expected to take part. Once registered for an event, a member may only drop out should they provide evidence of extenuating circumstances. Should they fail to do so, they may be exluded from taking part similar events in the future.

Space City Zoo will enter a one competition a year in Autumn. The selection of members taking part in competition will be based on availability and on the Club Manager's choice. Typically, SCZ competes at Jungle Fever or Winter Wonderland, and it will costs an average of £40 to cover costs for taking part.

SCZ takes part in a number of  events, and many of which provides our members with an expenses fee (you will receive typically between £50-£70 for commercial gigs, and around £15-£25 for charity gigs to cover for your training expenses). Extreme professionalism and conduct is expected when taking part in these events.

Space City Zoo provides a number of social activities throughout the year, including nights out, cinema trips, weekend trips, and holidays. These events are not compulsory and must be paid for separately.

• Squad members are required to maintain and uphold the reputation of Space City Zoo through their own conduct and squad spirit.
• Members are required to be courteous, polite, friendly, and try to have a smile for everybody.
• All cheers and chants shall be of a positive and sportsmanlike manner.
• Members will make every attempt to ignore or dissuade negative responses at events and not become involved in such action themselves.
• It is squad policy that disciplinary action will only be invoked as a last resort, and that every reasonable attempt will be made to avoid situations likely to lead to such action through squad discussion and positive encouragement, by example, and by finding ways and means to correct negative trends.
• A member may be suspended from events for the following reasons: Unexcused absence, excessive absence or tardiness, failure to cooperate with coaches/managers, or failure to abide by squad rules and regulations.
• Once registered for an event, a cheerleader may only drop out should they provide evidence of extenuating circumstances.
• A cheerleader may be dismissed from the club for the following reasons: Excessive and irreconcilable disruptive influence on the squad, conduct likely to bring the squad or team reputation into disrepute.
• As a SCZ club member you agree to our Terms & Conditions
  

Can I still train and compete with my current squad?
Of course! We don't want to steal you away from your current team! We're just giving you the opportunity to expand your cheerleading horizons and be as involved as you want. For example: if you're part of a uni squad but you can't do competitions because of the costs and times involved- no need to sulk: the Zoo is here! Do a one off comp with lots of other people in the same situation!

Do I need to take part in ALL the events?
No- with Space City Zoo you do whatever you like.

Do I have to attend ALL pratices on the calendar?
No- You only have to attend the practices for the event you sign up to. This means usually half a day for gigs, and one or two weekends for competitions.

Where is training in London?
Training in London usually takes place at the Colombo Centre, near Waterloo or at Richmond Dance

How do I join?
To join, all you need to do is complete the membership form and purchase your memebrship package on The Zoo's website.

JOIN NOW!

Can anyone join SCZ Cheerleaders?
Anyone above the age of 18 can join SCZ, however we do recommend that you have a minimum of Level 3 USASF ability if you want to take part in gigs and events, as we do make a selection to choose who will take part in that event (also at the request of the client).

What if I live away from London?
Space City Zoo will aim to get gigs a bit everywhere in the UK. The training weekends and competition training will mostly happen around the London area, but we also organise events around the Liverpool area. The Zoo is one big family and you can always stay at someone's house for that weekend!

Do I have to attend all open camps?
No, you don't. You are encouraged to, as you have already payed for them in your membership fee, and the more you attend the more likely you are to be selected for key events.

How much cheerleading experience do I need to have?
Ideally, we ask for a minimum of one year's experience and an intermediate level. However, as we select the strongest cadidates for all major events and competitions from all those who put themselves forward for each event, you can join SCZ as a beginner an still take advantage of our training sessions. And as soon as the club management think's you're ready, you can start taking part in paid gigs and competitions.

Can I only do dance routines and no cheer? Or vice-versa?
Yes, of course. You can do whatever you want.

What sort of routines will we be doing?
You can look at this page for a short descriptions of the routine we will be doing

What does the annual £70 membership fee cover?
This fee will cover administration fees, your T-shirt, all open camps, insurance, eligibility to candidate yourselves for events and competitions.

Do I need to pay for my Uniform?
Only if you want your own. You can always borrow one from other squad members for a specific events. You may not be able to take part in the event however, if you cannot find a uniform for that performance.

If we do FC competition, can I do double duty?
No. We strongly encourage you to give priority to your own squad, and we do not want you to split your focus. However if your squad is not competing at that event or you cannot join them for one reason or another, you are welcome to compete with SCZ

Do we get payed for the events?
Most of the events we take part in will award each participant with a £50-£70 expenses fee. However some events we do (for charity, for exampl) will only cover expenses (ie you will receive between £15-£25 each). You will be notified in advance if this is the case, so that you can decide wether or not to take part.