So, what does it all mean?!

I get asked all the time, what does it mean to be a cheerleader, what does it bring to you? Why do you hand out pegs at competitions? Why do you cheer on rival teams?

Well, I will tell you. To be a cheerleader means that you are part of something bigger than yourself. You are a family, of likeminded people, who celebrate each others successes. You learn from each other, cheer each other on, push each other and try harder because your team NEEDS you to! Every win, every loss, you're part of it together. The good, the bad, and the ugly tears, sweat and blood.

We hand out pegs as tokens of good luck to other teams. Because we know what it takes to get to where we are. We know how much grit and determination goes in to actually getting to the competition floor. So we celebrate that, as a community. We cheer other teams on, yes we do, for exactly the same reason we hand out pegs! On the day, who is the best is the best, and we as coaches, or cheerleaders cannot change that!

Over the years I have watched friendships grow, sister teams roar with delight when they get beaten because they have formed a bond with athletes from another part of the country, who had location allowed, might have been on the same team!

We watch rival teams routines with awe, and we tell each other good luck backstage just before we go on! Cheerleading is so much more than a sport. It teaches the new generation of children to respect and honour each other. It teaches them that it is ok not to always come first place. It teaches them that friendship and cohesiveness is more important than a medal or a trophy.

So, besides all the massively important life lessons I have written about before, which are learnt in training, being a cheerleader essentially teaches the next generation to be GOOD PEOPLE. To be humble. To be brave, and to love.

I couldn't replace the life lessons and happiness that cheerleading has brought my family with anything, and nor would I want to.