Chesapeake Wolverines

BECOME PART OF THE WOLVERINE CHEER TEAM!

Wolverine Cheer is thrilled to announce that we're offering Sideline Cheer and Competition Cheer as a combined package for the 2025-2026 Season! Athletes aged 5-14 will have the opportunity to cheer on Saturdays at home and away football games, with practices starting in July. Our dedicated coaches will work with your child three days a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays) in the summer, and two days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) once school starts. With practice times typically running from 6pm-8pm, it's easy to fit in with your family's schedule!

Your child will be able to meet new friends in a supportive team environment, take part in numerous team bonding activities, and participate in local parades! Plus, all cheerleaders will participate in our 2nd Annual Cheer Showcase, where each squad will perform their cheer routine and interact with the football teams in an electrifying pep rally style! We're also working on securing local competitions (dates and locations TBA) for our squads to shine!

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be part of the Wolverine Cheer team! Register now for the 2025-2026 season and get ready to ROAR WITH SPIRIT!

THE FALL 2025 SIDELINE AND COMPETITION CHEER SEASON IS HERE!!

Wolverines Cheer Families,

On behalf of the Chesapeake Wolverines Cheer Program, I want to extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to the start of our 2025 season! We are thrilled to have your athlete join us for what promises to be a fun, rewarding, and spirited season!

This season will be filled with exciting opportunities for your child to grow as an athlete, teammate, and confident individual. Our focus is on building skills, promoting positive attitudes, and encouraging strong character—both on and off the field. Whether you're returning for another great year or joining us for the first time, thank you for being part of the Wolverines family!

As we gear up for the season, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

PRACTICE & ATTENDANCE

Practices begin on Monday, July 28^th at “The Den” (our home field – Camelot Community Center Field - 948 King Arthur Dr., Chesapeake, VA) Please ensure your athlete arrives on time and ready to work!

Please encourage your athlete to use the restroom PRIOR to practice. They will have access to the community center if needed, but we want to minimize disruptions.

Summer practices will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6PM - 8PM until school starts on September 2, 2025 (Chesapeake Public Schools calendar).
We’re planning a Team Bonding / Back to School Activity tentatively on Saturday, Aug. 23rd -- More details to come (attendance is not mandatory, but recommended) 😊
Advanced Notice of Canceled Practice:

No practice will be held on Labor Day - Monday, September 1^st. We’ll resume Tuesday, September 2^nd and continue Thursday, September 4^th. We want our athletes well-rested for their first day of school. Academics come first!

Once school begins, practice shifts to two days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6PM - 8PM.

WHAT TO HAVE AT EVERY PRACTICE

Comfortable athletic clothing and sneakers → No jeans, Crocs, or open-toe shoes
Hair pulled back and out of face
Jewelry Policy for Safety
For the safety of all athletes, no jewelry of any kind is allowed during practices or games. This includes necklaces, bracelets, rings, anklets, and earrings (including studs). Please make sure your athlete removes all jewelry prior to arriving at practice. If your child has recently had their ears pierced and cannot remove the earrings, please contact us directly before the first day of practice.
Water bottle (labeled and suggested to be large enough to last entire practice and during game days)
No gum chewing, please

Optional but Recommended:

Microfiber cooling towel(s) for neck & face - helps keep your athlete cool
Yoga mat or towel for warmups/cool downs
An outdoor chair or blanket (for parent/guardian(s) and your athlete on short breaks during practices and for game days)
Sunscreen and bug spray (we're outdoors)

PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMUNICATION

We will use the GameChanger app as our primary communication tool for schedules, updates, reminders, and announcements. On the first day of practice, coaches and staff will assist with app setup if not done so already. Please make sure your contact information is up to date.
Our weekly cheer newsletter, Wolverine Weekly, will be posted in GameChanger and on the Cheer page of our Website every Sunday (during summer) and every Monday (once school begins). These bulletins will provide a quick overview of the upcoming week and will also be saved as PDFs on our website for easy access.

CHESAPEAKE WOLVERINES’ WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

*** Website – caawolverines.org -> Chesapeake Athletic Association Wolverines > Home or access the Cheerleading page directly by clicking this link Cheerleading

*** NEW - Chesapeake Wolverines Official Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/ChesapeakeWolverinesOfficial

*** CHEER Instagram & Threads - @chesapeake.wolverines_cheer
*** FOOTBALL / MAIN Instagram & Threads - @chesapeake.wolverines

The 2025 Wolverine Cheer Season Info Packet outlines all key and detailed information you’ll need to support a smooth and successful season.

We believe in working closely with families to make this season a positive and memorable experience for every athlete. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your coaches and/or board members.

We’re so excited to see your athlete shine this year—let’s make it a great one!

With Wolverine pride,

Vanika “Vee” Ayers
Vice President, Cheer Program
Chesapeake Wolverines
[email protected]

WOLVERINE WEEKLY

wolverine weekly - week 1 - 07-27-2025.pdf
wolverine weekly - week 2 - 08-03-2025.pdf
wolverine weekly - week 3 - 08-10-2025.pdf
wolverine weekly - week 4 - 08-24-2025.pdf

meet the coaches!

MEET THE COACHES!

Vanessa Burrows
Head Coach
Vanessa Burrows is in her second year coaching with the Chesapeake Wolverines and brings a dynamic, no-nonsense approach to the squad. Her coaching style is forward and direct, with a focus on pushing athletes to be their best every day! Vanessa expects her cheerleaders to show up to practice ready to work hard, improve, and embrace challenges as a team.
Her ultimate goal is to prepare her cheerleaders for success at the high school level, emphasizing the importance of mastering great technique, building strong teamwork skills, and fostering trust among teammates. She is passionate about helping her athletes grow both on and off the mat while cultivating their love for the sport!
Fun Fact: Vanessa has proudly served in the military for 3 1/2 years, bringing a disciplined and resilient mindset to everything she does.

De'Zyre "Coach Dezzy" Bailey
Assistant Coach
De'Zyre Bailey has over two and a half years of experience coaching young gymnasts, specifically working with 5U and 6U athletes. This year will mark her second season as a cheer coach and with the Chesapeake Wolverines, but her background in cheerleading runs deep. She was a proud member of the Bangles cheerleading organization, where she gained valuable experience and knowledge and also cheered for Oscar Smith High School. This combination of coaching and personal experience gives her a unique perspective in training young athletes. With a passion for building strong foundations, De'Zyre has successfully developed essential gymnastics skills for young athletes, helping them excel in their athletic journeys. As a cheerleader, she has contributed to championship wins and fostered a positive, team-focused dynamic. De'Zyre is dedicated to creating a fun and supportive environment where young athletes can thrive, develop confidence, and build a lifelong love for cheerleading and gymnastics. Whether it's through cheerleading stunts, gymnastic routines, or team-building exercises, her goal is to inspire her athletes to give their best, have fun, and support one another on and off the mat.
Fun Fact: When De'Zyre is not coaching, you can find her balancing her time between school, hitting the gym, or unleashing her creativity by designing and selling custom cups. She is also passionate about playing the piano and bringing music to life through beautiful melodies.

Tiara Harper
Assistant Coach
Tiara Harper is 27 years old and will be a second-year cheer coach with the Chesapeake Wolverines. Tiara's cheer experience is both extensive and inspiring. Tiara brings over ten years of cheer experience, including her time with the Gold Star Allstar competition cheer team. She also cheered for Deep Creek High School, where she was an active committee member supporting the squad. During high school, Tiara excelled as a member of both the school squad and the competitive cheer team. Her coaching style is unique, with a focus on helping her athletes grow in all aspects of their lives beyond cheer. Tiara's goal is to encourage her squad to embrace new challenges with confidence and resilience. She strives to be a guiding figure, supporting and pushing each athlete to become the best version of themselves.
Fun Fact: Tiara is a proud mom to an awesome four-year-old daughter!