Herndon Optimist Youth Cheerleading (HOYC) is a recreational/development program organized under the Optimist Club of Herndon Virginia. The HOYC management team are people in your community who share a commitment to giving back to their community and improving the lives of children in our community. 

The HOYC program provides a rewarding and fun experience with an emphasis on both teamwork and individual accomplishment. Cheerleading requires stamina, concentration, and regular practice as a team. Throughout the season, your child will learn cheerleading fundamentals, sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork appropriate for each age level. 

Participant Eligibility:

HOYC is open to girls and boys ages 5-14. Cheerleaders must be at least 5 years old and no more than 14 years old as of October 1.

Coach and Team Assistant Eligibility:

Coaching and assisting a team are volunteer positions. Head Coaches must be at least 18 years old and Assistant Coaches and Team Assistants must be at least 16 years old as of October 1.

Head Coaches receive one free registration per season (uniform deposit fees are still required).

All adult volunteers must complete a background check and a youth abuse prevention online training course and exam before leading or assisting in any HOYC activity.

Squad Structure:

Depending on the number of cheerleaders registering, there may be more than one cheer squad. Cheerleaders are organized into squads based on their cheer skill level.

Season Schedule:

HOYC cheerleaders participate in National Night Out (NNO) the first Tuesday in August at a Herndon area park.

HOYC team practices begin the week FCPS starts the school year. Practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-7:30pm at the Herndon Middle School field or in a Herndon area school gym.

HOYC cheerleaders cheer with the Herndon High School cheerleaders at home football games on Thursday or Friday nights (details will be provided once the season starts).

HOYC cheerleaders also cheer at Herndon Optimist Youth Flag Football (HOYFF) games held at Herndon Middle School on Saturdays starting in mid-September through mid-November. 

The season concludes no later than mid-November.

Participant Fees

• Registration Fee: $170; Includes cheer t-shirt, briefs, bows, and socks
• Cheer Uniform Deposit Fee: $50; Cheer uniform includes shell top, skirt bottom, and sweatsuit; Deposit is fully refunded if the full uniform set is returned in clean condition, with no rips or stains, by the return date specified by the league 
• Cheerleader must provide their own white cheer mock turtleneck, red cheer shorts, and white sneakers; A list of suggested websites for cheer clothing is posted on our HOYC Documents-Links web page. 

Payment Options

• Credit/Debit Card
• Check

Discounts / Financial Aid

• Family Multi-Participant Discounts: Each additional HOYC participant receives a $15 discount
• Financial Aid Discount: $85; Request financial aid and provide supporting documentation during the registration process; Payment for cheer uniform deposit is still required

Refunds

• Email hoycheerleading@gmail.com with your refund request
• If a participant or family member is removed from the program for refusing to follow HOYC Code of Conduct Rules or Fairfax County/HOYC health and safety rules/protocols, Registration Fee will not be refunded
• If Fairfax County cancels our access to field/gym space, the amount of Registration Fee refunded, if any, will depend on the costs already incurred by HOYC

Registration will open for our Fall 2024 cheerleading season on June 1st.

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Come see us perform on Tuesday August 6th from 6-8pm for National Night Out (NNO) at Haley Smith Park!

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Practices start Thursday August 22nd.

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Come see us perform at Herndon Optimist Youth Flag Football (HOYFF) games starting in mid-September and Herndon High School (HHS) football games (dates are TBD)!

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Come see us perform on Saturday November 9th in the HHS Homecoming Parade!