Career of Excellence: From Montreal to International 🌎 (S1.15)

Episode of April 23, 2024

In the world of cheerleading, there's more than routines, competitions, and smiles on the mat. Behind every performance are passionate professionals who work hard to ensure quality and accurate scores. This article shares the inspiring journey of Sanaa El Rassi, who built a career of excellence, starting in Montreal and joining the international stage.

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The path to a career of excellence starts early 📈

In cheerleading, the preparation never really stops. As soon as one season ends, you have to start thinking about the next one. This means updating yourself every year, learning new rules, attending training sessions, and taking exams. For judges, just like for athletes, ongoing training is essential.

Even during quieter periods like summer, there's work to be done: rule training, skill upgrading, mental and physical training. This isn't free time; it's time invested to be ready to excel for the next season.

Judge locally… and everywhere in the world 🌍🧑⚖️

After several years as a coach and having had great success with these teams, Sanaa El Rassi will find her way to "judging".

With over 26 years of experience judging in Quebec and Canada, and over 10 years on the international stage, our guest has had the incredible opportunity to work in several countries, including England. She judges not only at the local level, but also at prestigious events like the World Championships, which are considered the Olympic Games of cheerleading.

This role requires a high level of professionalism, as each performance represents hours of hard work for both the athletes and their coaches. Judging with rigor and fairness is therefore a major responsibility.

Stress and pressure: always present

Despite all the experience, the nerves never completely disappear. Whether it's a local competition or an international championship, the stress is there, because there's always this desire to do well and honor the teams' work.

This rigor also requires excellent physical and mental fitness: sleeping well, eating well, and staying focused during each routine. It's a total commitment on the part of the judges.

How do you become an international judge?

Contrary to popular belief, it's not simply a matter of personal application. Judges are often recommended by their local federations and selected by international event producers. These producers select judges they trust based on their professionalism and experience.

It is therefore through hard work, consistency, and gaining the trust of organizers that international opportunities arise. Word of mouth, peer recognition, and quality work are essential.

The importance of respect and mentoring

Over the years, Sanaa has also developed a desire to share her knowledge. For her, sharing her experience and coaching the next generation is a natural step in her career. She encourages newcomers to work hard, remain humble, always keep up to date, and show respect for everyone.

It is this professional and respectful attitude that inspires others and opens the door to new opportunities.

In conclusion: a message for future judges and athletes

If you dream of a career in cheerleading, whether as an athlete, coach, or judge, know that perseverance is key. Work hard, practice regularly, stay curious, respect others, and never stop learning.

Every step counts, from the first local event to the biggest international competitions. The road may be long, but with passion and commitment, opportunities for excellence and recognition are within reach.

Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Kick's Cheer Podcast, Season 1 Episode 15, to discover this unique career from Montreal to the Worlds!

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