“You’ll be the back spot, Lily,” the coach explained.
“A back spot?” Lily looked puzzled.
Hey friends, Alison here! With over 20 years in the cheerleading industry (and somehow adding “author” to my list along the way), I’m here to share the real stuff—no fluff, just useful tips, stories, and all the quirks of life on the mats and in the books.
So whether you’re folding laundry, driving kids around, or just taking a moment for yourself—you’re in the right place. Grab your coffee or your giant water jug if you’re a cheer parent and let’s turn the page together.
Today, I want to give you a sneak peek inside my very first book, Cheer For You. This little book is extra special because it’s the one that started my entire author journey. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know my son inspired me to write stories for kids who might be nervous about trying cheer—or just need a little encouragement to keep going.
Meet Lily
So let’s dive in.
Once upon a time, in a small town, lived a little girl
named Lily. She had dreams as high as the sky and a
heart full of courage.
Lily had always admired the cheerleaders at her school. Their stunts, their tumbles, their colourful pom-poms, and their big smiles filled her with awe.
She wanted to be just like them.
One sunny morning, Lily gathered her courage and decided to attend the cheerleading tryouts at her school. But as she stood in line with other students, her heart raced, and her mind started playing tricks on her.
“I’m too tall,” it was telling her.
“I can’t do those splits, and I’m not strong enough.”
Just then, another girl, Emily, turned to Lily and said, “Hi, I’m Emily. Is this your first time too?”
Lily smiled shyly, “Yes, I’m Lily.”
Emily was warm and friendly, and they became friends in no time. As the tryouts began, they whispered words of encouragement to each other.
Lily and Emily stepped up together when it was their turn. They tried their best to do the moves they had seen the cheerleaders do. They stumbled, giggled, and tried again.
At the end of the day, Lily and Emily sat anxiously as the cheerleading coach read the names of the new team members for each team.
“Emily!” called out the coach, and Emily jumped up with joy. Lily clapped and cheered for her friend.
Then, the coach said, “Lily!” Lily couldn’t believe her ears; she had made the same team as her new friend!
But when Lily found out her role, she wasn’t so sure.
“You’ll be a back spot, Lily,” the coach explained.
“A back spot?” Lily asked, puzzled.
“Yes,” the coach smiled. “You’ll be responsible for protecting the flyer and supporting your fellow bases. You’re tall and strong, Lily, and I believe you’ll be great at it!”
And that’s where I’ll leave you… because that’s about halfway through the book.
Want to Know What Happens Next?
If you want to find out how Lily embraces her role (and what happens to her and Emily’s friendship), you’ll have to grab a copy of Cheer For You! You can find it over at The Cheerleader Book Club.
This story is dedicated to every little one who isn’t quite sure about giving cheer a go. Sometimes, the roles we least expect are the ones that bring out our biggest strengths.
Thanks for sticking with me until the end of this chapter. If you want more, dive into my other episodes, check out the books, or grab a freebie at slategrey-hamster-496221.hostingersite.com. You can also come say hi over on socials @thecheerleaderbookclub—I love hearing from you.
See you in the next Cheer Chapter.
Allison xx
Cheer For You
Cheer For You: When Lily decides to attend her very first cheerleading tryout, she’s full of nerves and self-doubt. But with a little courage, a new friend, and the power of teamwork, she discovers that amazing things can happen when you believe in yourself.
