It is one of the controversial questions among cheerleaders and non-cheerleaders and causes much confusion and rage. In the dictionary the word "sport" is defined as "physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engage in competitively." It is the last part of this definition "engage in competitively" that creates the confusion.
According to the Women's Sports Foundation the criteria of a sport is
- A physical activity which involves propelling a mass through space or overcoming the resistance of a mass.
- A contest or competition against or with an opponent .
- Is governed by rules which explicitly define the time, space and purpose of the contest and the conditions under which a winner is declared.
- The acknowledged primary purpose of the competition is a comparison of the relative skills of the participants.
The only time cheerleading is a sport is when competing at a cheerleading competition, where you are governed on the routine you perform. There are time limits, competition between the different squads, and rules to follow, for example the bases and back spot must keep their eyes on the flier at all times or the stunt is disqualified. However, the majority of cheerleading squads do not participate in competitions. A cheerleaders main purpose is to unite, entertain, and motivate the spectators and cheer on the athletic team that is playing the game. The most common sports that have cheerleaders are football and basketball.
Those cheerleading teams that do perform on the competitive level are considered a sport. Yet, until the cheerleading squads that do not compete start to, there is little hope cheerleading will become a sport.
Any cheerleader will tell you that they are athletes and yes, they are. They fly, tumble, yell, and dance just like the best football player, flexible gymnast, or poised dancer. With these skills there is no doubt they are athletes.
Cheerleading is the number-one 'sport' responsible for female catastrophic injuries, and more than half among high school and college female athletes. Crazy right? Its not a sport yet causes numerous injuries a year, more than female basketball, field hockey, or soccer.
I have been a cheerleader since I was in the first grade and this basketball season is my third year on varsity. My varsity team does go to competition and in my eyes cheerleading has always and will always be a sport.
The question 'Is Cheerleading a Sport' has caused me many headaches. Fellow classmates have told me that its not a sport, but do they really know what goes in to having an awesome team? Have they ever been to a cheerleading practice? Have they been to a cheerleading competition and see the amazing teams and their routine? The answer to all of these is most likely no. They have no idea how difficult cheerleading really is and the skill one must have. In every competitive cheerleaders eyes you will see their dedication, most cheerleaders cheer because they can't see themselves doing anything different no matter if it is a sport or not.
So, does it really matter that cheerleading is technically not a sport? Don't you think it's more important to be considered an athlete? I do.
