FEES and OTHER COSTS:
Like for any youth sport, parents need to know the financial commitment:
Annual Fees
Contest Entries
USTA Membership
Required Personal Supplies
Optional Supplies
ANNUAL FEES 2023-2024
The fees must cover the costs incurred by the coach: team entry fees, music costs, team costume expenses, and so on. The annual cost is per year, but may be paid in monthly installments with a discount for early full payment. Twirlers who join in November or December still pay the annual fee. There is a discount if you pay in full by Nov. 15. (The coach does not profit from this endeavor.)
The dues for the team are calculated for the full year, depending on the number of members. A large part of the expense in running a team is the costuming and team entry fees for the contests. There are also music costs, royalties, and travel costs for the coach.
There is a discount if you pay in full by Nov. 15. There are also discounts for siblings.
· First year team members (K-2nd): 8 payments of $25 (=$200) or discount $175/year
· 1st year team (3rd grade+): 8 payments of $28 (=$224) or discount $200/year
· 2nd year team (if adding solo): 8 payments of $38 (=$304) or discount $275/year
· Middle/High school team (solo +2B): 8 payments of $44 (=$352) or discount $325/year
Adding another event (3 baton, artistic twirl, or pairs) requires private or semi-private lessons, $60/hour.
All youth sports are expensive! We try to keep baton costs as low as possible.
Both Ms. A. and Ms. Debbie volunteer their time to the FantastiX Baton Team.
CONTEST ENTRIES:
The team travels to 6 competitions each year. Team entry fees are paid by the coach. Twirlers also enter individual events at these competitions (most choose to do so), and the cost for an individual contest entry is approximately $25-50 per contest for beginners depending on level of participation, paid by the parents. Parents drive (or carpool) their children to the contests. More advanced twirlers may pay $75-$100 per contest, depending on how many events they enter.
USTA MEMBERSHIP:
It is required that twirlers join the United States Twirling Association. The USTA provides insurance for twirlers, coaches, and contest providers. It also oversees training of coaches and judges so that the highest standards of the sport are consistently met throughout the country. Join as "Athlete." There is a discount for a second sibling as a "Family member."
EXTRA COACHING FEES:
During team practice time (Tuesdays, 3:20-4:30), twirlers work on skills that the coach choreographs into a team routine. In addition, twirlers learn foundation events and an exhibition solo. Over the years, as twirlers advance in their skills, they may add more events (2-baton, artistic twirl, pairs, etc.) to their repertoire. Costs for private or semi-private lessons outside of the regular Thursday classes will be paid for by the parents. This does not apply to "first-year team" members, as they are still working on their foundation events and exhibition solo.
REQUIRED PERSONAL SUPPLIES:
These include hair bands, gel, hair nets, bobby pins, lipstick and safety pins. Twirlers must have a supply of these and replenish them as needed. These are purchased by parents.
OPTIONAL SUPPLIES:
Girls may want to also buy nude tights and a nude leotard to wear under their costumes (optional). A nude leotard provides a way for twirlers to change costumes modestly. Boys may want to wear a biketard under their costumes (optional). These are purchased by parents. Baton bags are useful, but also optional. Baton shoes are provided by the coach, but some twirlers prefer to buy their own new ones.