Give your athletes the support and spirit they deserve
By Brittany Perskin
There are many high schools across the country with athletic teams but no cheer squad. Can you imagine? The students don’t know what they’re missing. Or do they? If you attend one of these cheer-less schools and want to show your spirit on the sidelines, look no further. Here’s your guide to starting a squad at your school.
Find a supportive staff member. It’s important to have assistance and support from a faculty member. This teacher doesn’t have to be a former cheerleader, just someone who thinks a cheer squad would be a great addition to the school. So, ask around! Share your idea with teachers and staff, and see who’s interested in becoming your moderator. (Just make sure that they get certified or brings on a trained coach/instructor before you try any stunts or tumbling.)
Spread the word. You can’t have a cheer squad without cheerleaders! Talk to your friends about joining and ask your teachers to make an announcement after class. You can even start a petition and collect signatures from students to show that there’s a high demand for a squad.
Set up a meeting with the administration (principal or vice principal) and pitch your idea. They’re in charge of running the school and will need to approve it before you can move forward. Have a parent or staff member accompany you to the meeting—the school may be more receptive with an adult present.
The outcome is out of your control once you’ve pleaded your case, but if the school approves your request, you’re almost there—but not quite.
* If your school considers the cheer squad a sport, congrats! Most of your work is done. The school will handle the hiring of a coach who should take over from there.
* If your school considers the cheer squad a club, you may need to find an advisor to moderate it.
After you’ve been given the OK from your school, hold tryouts to determine who will make the team. Then, as soon as possible, the team should start fundraising for cheer necessities like: matching uniforms, pom pons, cheer shoes and bows.
Once your team is cleared, formed, and accessorized you’ll be ready to pick up those poms in no time!
**REMEMBER: Your coach/advisor MUST get safety training.
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3 responses so far ↓
Dana Aug 1, 2010 at 7:05 pm
I’ve wanted to be a cheerleader for years and a few months ago I finally put a proposal together! I got 5 other girls to say they would and my friend and I took it to the principal. He called us into his office a week or two later and basically said he agrees with this! All we need to do is get letters from parents saying they approve and support a cheer squad at our high school. We’re still trying to do that but after that he will help us find a teacher to supervise or coach and then pass it with the school board. He said he is willing to make this work and we’re almost sure it will happen!
Sarah Aug 5, 2010 at 1:06 pm
If you already have a cheer squad, but would like to include students with special needs (to raise everyone’s spirits!) check out the free downloadable Quick-Start kit at The Sparkle Effect, Inc., http://www.thesparkleeffect.org. The kit gives you everything you need to start your own Sparkle Effect squad. Our non-profit organization also provides grants for free uniforms for new Sparkle Effect squads (in conjunction with Varsity Spirit Fashions) and free on-site training. I encourage you to check us out and join us in spreading spirit across America!
Sophie Aug 9, 2010 at 3:30 pm
I am a competitive cheerleader, but there is no cheerleading team at my school. I asked around to girls in my grade and a few in other grades and there was a high demand for a cheerleading team, so, I went to the head of the middle school and proposed the idea. She liked it and said the only reason we didn’t have a cheerleading team was because we didn’t have a coach. After this she went and talked to the athletic director about starting a squad. He liked the idea, but said that there were to many complications involved, including finding a coach, having to accept other new sports if this one was accepted, and the fact that it was to late in the year to try to start one. I plan on trying again at my high school this year. Does anyone have any ideas of how to make my argument more convincing?
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