The Cheerleaders are coming!

After generations of second-class citizenry in the high school athletics world, cheerleaders are finally sitting in first class. For some it means a bump up the socio-sports food chain, but for others it is simply a reaffirmation of the support they have enjoyed all along from school and community. Either way, they’re stepping up their game.

In late April the New York State Board of Regents unanimously recognized competitive cheerleading as an official interscholastic sport — right alongside high school football, basketball, lacrosse and soccer.

“It’s definitely a very exciting time for cheerleading,” said Red Jacket Varsity cheer coach Stephanie Beardsley. “All along the way we have had awesome support from our community, in our schools and in our league and particularly in Section V. They’ve recognized the hard work we’ve done, and this takes it to the next level.”

More important than a boost in status though, was the opportunity it provided the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) to officially regulate — and safeguard — the sport, its athletes and coaches.

Todd Nelson, NYSPHSAA assistant director, has been working toward the upgrade since 2009. It went into effect at the start of the 2014-15 school year, and from his perspective has put cheering on an equal playing field with all other interscholastic sports.

“The main focus of why we wanted cheerleading to be recognized is that we’ve wanted to minimize the risk for cheerleaders,” said Nelson. “We ensure that the coaches are properly trained and certified to work with those athletes. And it’s the same certification that any New York state coach would need, plus an AACCA (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators) safety course that’s specific to cheerleading.”

In 2013, Nelson and his colleagues conducted their first competitive cheerleading events with the East and West Regional Invitational Tournaments during the winter season. Both events were successfully conducted again in 2014, Nelson said, with plans to continue the events in 2015, holding them in Rochester, Albany and Long Island. In 2016, Nelson is shooting for the first ever state championship, at which each section will select the teams that will qualify for the championship, and the NYSPHSAA Cheerleading Committee will recommend what the divisions will be for the championships.

“We feel the biggest winners are the young ladies and men who have been working hard for years but have not gotten the recognition that they’ve earned through their hard work and dedication,” said Nelson. “So far, the response has been very favorable.”

Different but equal

Any cheerleading squad that “stunts” or “tumbles” during practices, competitions or performances is considered a competitive cheer squad and would be subject to all state Education Department and NYSPHSAA rules and regulations, Nelson said.

A stunt involves one or more persons supporting one or more top persons off the ground. Tumbling involves gymnastic skills that begin and end on the performing surface, including rolls, aerials, twists, flips and inverted extended skills such as cartwheels, handstands, walkovers and handsprings.