In the movie Bring it On, the choreographer Sparky tells his cheerleaders, “What you do is a tiny, pathetic subset of dancing”.
But do not be fooled by images of pretty girls in short skirts. Cheerleading is serious business, writes Ammar Sachak
Although still regarded by many as a recreational activity, cheerleading became officially recognised by the Australian Sports Commission as a sport in 2002 under the umbrella of Gymnastics Australia.
In the last decade, the number of people competing in cheerleading in Australia has grown from about 1500 to 20,000. Cheerleading has various under-18 state and national championships, participation in University Games carnivals and Australia enters a few teams in the annual World Championships.
Changing perceptions
One of the top cheerleading figures in the country is Sonia Roarty, the director and head coach at Cheer Factor in Tullamarine.
Mrs Roarty said people still laugh at the concept of cheerleading being a competitive sport.
“You get a perception of cheerleaders from rugby and basketball of just shaking poms and doing the odd cartwheel and it’s a totally different image,” she said.
“That’s like your Dallas Cowboys image of cheer. There’s always going to be that public image of cheerleading whether they think it’s a tarty thing, but we try to reverse that and show that it is a sport.”
In fact, Mrs Roarty only teaches two hours of pom pom classes a week, compared to thirty hours of cheer, tumbling and stunts.
The sheer physical exertion of cheerleading is another aspect often overlooked.
Mrs Roarty has been involved in the performing arts industry for more than 34 years and said she has never been fitter since making the switch from dancing to cheerleading.
“We have six-year-olds that are lifting each other at chest height and above and throw them around, which is a lot more than you’ll do in a dance class or playing football,” she said.
Dangerous sport
When City Journal visited a Cheer Factor All Stars training session, a couple of girls had to sit out training after sustaining injuries, while several other girls suffered heavy falls, but kept training.
One of the Cheer Factor All Stars squad members, 13-year-old Tabitha has been cheerleading for four years and has suffered a fractured leg and a sprained ankle. She said she has seen many of her teammates suffer injuries including broken arms and even teeth piercing the lips on impact after a heavy fall.
Tabitha trains 13 hours a week and it is clear from her training routine, cheerleading fits the demands of a competitive sport.
“First we warm up with running laps. Then we start stretching, especially our thighs so we can pull lines in the air. If there is a competition on soon we start running through our routine and practice all our skills.”
Often the squad will rehearse a particular aspect of a routine dozens of times if one team member makes a mistake.
Cheer Factor All Stars will compete in the World Cup Cheer and Dance Victoria state championships on August 21 and the All Star Cheer Federation state championships on September 11 at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
When Mrs Roarty started coaching, there used to be one or two hours a week of training. Now the majority of her cheerleaders train about four to eight hours a week.
“Just to stay strong, they’ve got to be here that much for consistency and their skills and tumbles,” she said.
“Some of these kids are here every night and for 11, 12 and 13-year-olds that’s a big commitment. We don’t like them doing other things that are going to damage their body.”
Still few males
As cheerleading grows as a competitive sport in Australia, there still remains a large disparity between male and female involvement.
Corey, 14, is the sole boy in the Cheer Factor All Stars 11-18 year-old squad and started cheerleading four years ago.
“I enjoy it (cheerleading) because I like doing flips and it keeps my fitness up. It’s a fun sport and no one knows about it. I get to do lots of cool stunts and lift up girls,” he said.
Corey hopes to build a career out of cheerleading, a difficult choice in a female-dominated industry.
But male involvement in Australia is slowly catching up to the rest of the world according to Lyn Parker, the chief executive officer for World Cheer and Dance.
“In Australia it has taken some time for males to get involved but it is definitely happening now,” she said.
“The American team, Top Gun, who won the Asia-Pacific grand final last year (as special guests) had more males than females, which has had an inspirational effect on our teams.”
Ultimately, Mrs Parker expects the growth of cheerleading to continue.
“We are getting lots of high school girls and universities enter teams,” she said.
“Anyone who has ever danced or played a sport can play, you don’t have to be a flyer or tumbler, you can be a base.
“Everyone’s strengths are promoted.”
