All any of us want for our children is simple: that they find something they love. Something that helps them grow, teaches them life skills, and surrounds them with good humans who lift them up (sometimes literally). Cheerleading can be one of those sports—but for many parents, it’s still one big mystery.
If you’re new to the cheer world, or you’re thinking about enrolling your child but aren’t sure where to start, this chapter is for you.
Cheerleading Is Still a “New” Sport—Here’s Why That Matters
Depending on where you live, cheerleading might not even be formally recognised as a sport. In Australia, where I coach and run programs, cheer gyms often operate as small businesses without the same support systems that traditional sports receive. This impacts everything from funding to council support to community awareness.
And because it’s newer, you still meet people who have no idea what cheerleading actually is beyond old movie stereotypes. Once they finally see a competition or training session, most people say the same thing: “I didn’t realise it was THIS big.”
Different Types of Cheerleading
Before enrolling your child, you’ll need to know which style of cheer the program offers:
- All-Star Cheer – The most common in Australia; highly structured, competitive, and skill-based.
- School or Varsity Cheer – Integrated into school life; varies by region.
- University Cheer – A whole different world with advanced skills and performance opportunities.
- Pom – Think jazz dance with poms—less stunting, more dance-based.
Each comes with different time commitments, costs, and expectations.
Know the Commitment Before You Say Yes
Most All-Star gyms publish their season info months in advance. You’ll usually receive:
- Competition dates
- Training schedules
- Choreography camps
- Uniform deadlines
- Fee timelines
This is your roadmap. It tells you whether the program fits your family’s capacity. Cheer is a team sport, and attendance does matter—missing athletes directly affect stunts, sections, and athlete safety.
If a program feels too demanding, look for a rec or low-commitment option instead. There are tiers—you don’t have to jump straight into the deep end.
What Cheerleaders Actually Do
A lot goes into building that two-and-a-half-minute routine:
- Tumbling (cartwheels to back tucks to fulls)
- Jumps (single and double sequences)
- Stunts (groups lifting, balancing, bracing, and catching)
- Pyramids (linked stunt structures)
- Dance & Choreography (the final section of the routine)
It’s fast, it’s tough, and it pushes their strength, stamina, balance, coordination, and confidence.
The Hidden Gift of Cheer: Life Skills
Cheerleading teaches so much more than skills:
- Communication with people you may not always get along with
- Accountability
- Teamwork and trust
- Time management
- Respect for rules, appearance, and punctuality
- Community values and supporting teammates
- Responsibility (fundraising, helping at events, volunteering)
The transformation in athletes—especially teens—can be incredible.
Let’s Talk Safety
Is cheerleading dangerous? It can be, like any sport involving speed, height, or complex movement. But coaches are highly aware of safety. Skills are taught progressively, spotters are used, and athletes must show technique before moving up.
Ironically, if a child rolls an ankle walking across the mat, cheer coaches still somehow feel responsible—yet if that happened at soccer, no one would blame the coach. It’s just part of the culture of care in cheer.
The Cheer Community
Cheer is its own world, filled with friendships that cross ages, towns, and even programs. Athletes learn to celebrate others’ wins, support competitors, and be part of something bigger. The culture is electric, positive, and incredibly welcoming when you find the right gym.
If you’re thinking about putting your child into cheerleading, ask questions, read the info packs, learn the commitment levels, and explore the program type. With the right fit, it can be one of the most rewarding journeys your child ever experiences.
I’ll see you in the next Cheer Chapter!
Allison xx
