A Cheer Parent’s Guide to Navigating a Full Cheer Season (Without Losing Your Mind)

If you’ve landed on this blog after watching or listening to my last cheer parent episode, then I’m guessing you’re either very curious about cheerleading… or you’re already mentally preparing yourself to dive straight in after listening to me ramble on about why cheer is brilliant for kids.

Either way, welcome back.
Grab your coffee — or that giant jug of water all cheer parents seem to own — and let’s turn this next page together.

I’m Alison Sack, and after more than 20 years in this wild, wonderful cheerleading world (and accidentally becoming an author along the way), I’m here to give you the real talk. No fluff. Just helpful insights, lived experience, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes truth.

Today, we’re doing a deep dive into what a typical cheerleading season looks like… no matter where you are in the world.

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What a Cheer Season Actually Looks Like

Every Gym Is Slightly Different — but the Flow Is the Same

Before we get into the timeline, the first thing to understand is that seasons vary from place to place.
Different countries have different school terms, different competition circuits, and different event calendars.

But the structure of a season?
It’s mostly the same worldwide.

Some gyms will attend ten competitions.
Some will go to none.
Some do one big showcase.
Some train purely recreationally.
Some run school-only teams.

So the first step?
Read your gym’s information pack.
It tells you everything you need to know about your child’s team, expectations, and upcoming commitments.

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The Cheer Season Step-By-Step

1. Try-Outs (No, They Aren’t Scary)

Try-outs aren’t the terrifying panel-audition moment that movies make them out to be.
In most gyms, try-outs are simply about seeing:

• who’s joining,
• what skills they have,
• what age group they fit into,
• and what experience they bring.

From there, coaches build the strongest, safest, most successful teams possible.

Some gyms have level-specific try-outs.
Some hold open days so families can meet the coaches and see if the environment feels like the right fit.

Either way, it’s just the start — not a performance.

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2. Team Placements

Once try-outs wrap up, families are given team placements.
Your child might also have the option to “crossover,” meaning they join two teams. Crossovers can be amazing for skill development, confidence, and making friends — but they are a bigger time commitment.

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3. Training Begins

The first term is all about:

• finding stunt groups,
• identifying strengths,
• refining basics,
• and building foundation skills.

Slowly, the puzzle pieces start forming.
Tiny stunt sequences, tumble sections, dance counts — all taught separately before being merged later.

Most gyms will bring in a choreographer at some stage, often during weekends or school holidays. This is when the magic happens — the full routine is built, and custom music arrives. Always an exciting time!

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4. Showcase and Competition Season

By term two, athletes usually begin preparing for showcase or their first competition.
From here, it becomes a flow of:

• polishing routines,
• attending events,
• travelling (sometimes),
• and keeping up with training.

Every gym structures their event calendar differently, so checking dates early is crucial.

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5. The Reality of Costs

Cheer isn’t a small commitment — emotionally or financially.
Depending on the gym, families may see fees for:

• term coaching,
• tumble classes,
• competition entries,
• showcase,
• team music,
• uniforms,
• choreography,
• coach event fees,
• or tours.

Some gyms bundle costs. Others invoice item by item.
The best thing you can do?
Ask early, budget clearly, and know what’s coming.

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6. Balancing Cheer With Family Life

This is where many parents pause and think, “Can we actually do this?”

It’s completely normal.

Cheer is year-round in most all-star programs.
But school-based programs sometimes run half-year seasons (which I personally do — it works brilliantly for families).

The key is to:

• communicate with coaches,
• ask questions,
• check schedules,
• look at your family’s capacity,
• and find what suits your situation.

Supporting your athlete at home also goes a long way:

• play their music,
• practise counts,
• let them do routines in the garden,
• organise chill practice playdates with their cheer bestie.

The little things really help.

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Final Thoughts

That’s your snapshot of what a cheerleading season looks like from a parent’s perspective — simple, manageable, and absolutely doable once you understand the flow.

If you’re sitting there with your brain ticking away, wondering how this fits into your life, you’re not alone. But trust me — with some planning and communication, cheer can become one of the most rewarding activities your child will ever do.

Got questions? Send them through.
I absolutely love helping families figure this all out.

And if you want more cheer insights, stories, or resources, you can always visit thecheerleaderbookclub.com or come say hi on Instagram @thecheerleaderbookclub.

See you in the next Cheer Chapter.

Allison xx

If you’d like to explore more — books, downloads, or tools I personally use — you’ll find everything below. Some links are affiliates and help support the blog at no extra cost to you. I only share things I genuinely use or recommend. Content on this website is shared for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace professional advice. Please seek appropriate qualifications or professional guidance for coaching, training, business, or financial decisions.

Allison xx