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🎓 The Big Leap: From Scholastic to All Star (S4.5)
Episode of September 29, 2026
Moving from Scholastic cheerleading to All Star cheerleading isn't simply a change of category. For athletes, the transition may seem quite natural. For coaches, however, it's sometimes the start of a whole new adventure: management, recruitment, finances, facilities, staff… and a lot more responsibility!
In this episode of the Kick's Cheer Podcast, Janie, Keaven and Nadia welcome Audrey Daoust, founder and coach of Fusion Cheerleading, to talk about her journey and the creation of her organization/club.
🎒 From Scholastic cheerleading to Fusion Cheerleading
Cheer played an important role in Audrey's journey. An athlete for three years, then a coach for many seasons, she recounts how the sport gave her a real sense of belonging and helped her stay motivated at school.
After several years as a coach in the school system, the constraints imposed on the program became more significant. The athletes' backgrounds, the program structure, the opportunities for competitions and travel: Audrey eventually realized that her vision no longer fully aligned with what she could offer within this framework.
This is where Fusion Cheerleading was born, a non-profit organization that lives up to its name since it brings together athletes from the programs it previously coached.
đź’Ľ When the coach becomes an entrepreneur
The transition to All Star brings a major change for Audrey: she is no longer just a coach.
She now has to manage an organization/club.
Human resources, finance, recruitment, marketing, gym rentals, program development… the role quickly takes on an entrepreneurial dimension. Audrey explains that this learning curve was one of the main challenges of the transition.
It's a reality that many coaches know: being an excellent coach and managing an organization are two completely different skills.
🏠The challenge of having your own gym
Three years after the creation of Fusion, one of Audrey's major goals is now to have a permanent location.
Today, the organization has to rent different spaces depending on its needs. This reality limits tumbling opportunities, complicates certain activities, and can hinder the recruitment of younger members.
A permanent gym would therefore allow Fusion to take a new step: further develop its programs, offer more services and create a true home for its athletes.
❤️ Keeping athletes at the center of change
Despite all the administrative changes, Audrey wanted above all to make the transition as smooth as possible for her athletes.
The practices, coaches, and routines remained as stable as possible during the first season. In a context where many young people experience a lot of stress and anxiety, she wanted to show them that they could trust the process.
Today, Fusion has three teams and about forty athletes, with a vision that continues to evolve season after season.
🎧 Listen in this episode
Audrey speaks candidly about the transition from Scholastics to All Star, the challenges behind creating a club, recruitment, fundraising, finding facilities, and above all, this change of role that transforms a coach into a true organizational leader.
A particularly relevant discussion for coaches developing their programs… but also for anyone who wants to understand what goes on behind the doors of a cheerleading club.
🎙️ Listen to episode 5 of season 4 of the Kick's Cheer Podcast: The Big Leap: from school to All Star.
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