🎓 Inside Scholastic Cheerleading – What Parents and Athletes Need to Know (S1.5)
- janie724
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Published February 13, 2024
In this episode of the Kick's Cheer Podcast, we dive into the exciting world of Scholastic Cheerleading. Through testimonials from coaches Catherine Guimont and Geneviève Lachance of the Académie St-Louis, we discover what makes this experience unique and different, both for the young people and their families.
🎓 Scholastic Cheerleading: One school, one family, one pride
School cheer isn't just about playing a sport: it's a community united around values like commitment, perseverance, and the pride of representing their school. Some young people get involved as early as Secondary 1 (equivalent of 7th grade) and stay until Secondary 5 (equivalent of 11th grade). Why? Because they find a rare sense of belonging there. Winning a competition, bringing home a trophy, is a huge source of motivation and pride.
📚 Balancing sport and studies: a priority
In school cheer, academic success remains a priority. Coaches don't punish poor grades, but they do provide regular follow-up with students and teachers. The goal? To provide comprehensive coaching and help athletes stay motivated, both in the gym and in the classroom.
🤝 Coaches who are more than committed
School coaches wear many hats: coaches, mentors, role models, and sometimes even "big brothers/sisters." They know their students' issues and also intervene on behavioural issues when necessary. They are not there to judge but to guide and support.
🎀 A sport among others, but not like the others
At the time, sports options were limited. Today, in 2024, scholastic cheerleading is part of a much more diverse sports offering, and it stands out for its accessibility, team spirit, and the energy it generates. Cheer is often the first passion of many students, and it's what keeps them engaged in school.
Scholastic Cheer vs. All-Star Cheer: Is It Really That Different?
Many people have the impression that All-Star cheer is more "serious" or "high-performance," but this is not an absolute reality. School cheer develops athletes who are just as motivated, strong, and talented. In fact, many kids participate in both types of programs, and coaches often work together to make schedules compatible. The idea is to give kids as many opportunities as possible without forcing them to choose too early.
📅 Competitions and time management
School competitions are numerous—sometimes as many as six or seven per season—and these can conflict with All-Star competitions. However, school clubs, such as Arsenal, strive to adapt their schedules and foster good coordination with All-Star clubs. When a conflict is unavoidable, athletes are encouraged to make informed choices based on their priorities and well-being.
✨ Appearance: Less bling, more authenticity
Another aspect that distinguishes school cheer is the more understated visual style. Less makeup, less fuss—the emphasis is on effort, teamwork, and technique rather than appearance. Of course, each program is free to choose its own style, but the general trend is toward a more natural image.
Assessments, not auditions.
To join a school team, there are no traditional "tryouts." Instead, there are" potential assessments." This allows young people to try out the sport and the team before even being admitted to the school. But the most important step remains enrolling at the school itself. Arsenal, for example, only accepts students from the school onto its teams.
The future: removing the “spring floors”?
One of the big topics for the next few years? Removing spring floors from school competitions. This type of surface is more affordable for schools and would certainly level the playing field. Performing gymnastics elements on a dead mat is more demanding, certainly, but it also proves the quality of the technique. And as they say, it's a question of mentality, not just equipment.
🎤 A final word
This episode reminds us that scholastic cheer is much more than pom-poms. It's a true school of life, where young people learn to excel, collaborate, organize, and believe in themselves. Thank you to the guests of the Arsenal for their generosity and for their involvement in this wonderful mission.
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