One of the ways she plans to do this is by offering AYS cheerleaders more training through a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Youth Day Camp. Participants will learn stunting, sideline cheers and chants, jumping technique, and other game day material from USA Cheer certified instructors who are recommended from the nation’s top college programs! Camp registration is also open to cheer coaches, which will help equip them to be the best coach they can be. Camp will be offered to Avon and surrounding communities and is scheduled for June 27th and 28th. This is currently the only youth cheer camp of its kind scheduled to take place in Hendricks County this year. Another goal of AYS Cheer is to help fill in the gaps. While our cheer opportunities for the older age groups have some overlap, they are not in competition with school cheer. It offers cheerleaders who don’t make the school team an opportunity to still cheer and be involved. When Reva Mackey, Jr. Orioles Cheer Commissioner, was asked what she hopes her cheerleaders walk away from the program with, she said “character development, strong fundamentals, and the ability to be coachable and receive feedback.” Her goal as a coach is to build her cheerleaders up. Mackey said that cheerleading “gave her confidence and the ability to speak up, even in the classroom.” Sarah Osmundsen, AYS Rec. Cheer Commissioner, added that cheer is a “good way to meet people they might not otherwise meet.” It gives them an opportunity to step out and become a leader.
Their goal is to build the cheerleaders’ confidence and give them reinforcement and remind them that they’ve got this! When asked what they would say to someone who has never cheered before, but is considering signing up, Mackey said, “You don’t know what you like until you try it.” Osmundsen added, “Don’t let the costs prohibit you from participating if the interest is there. We are currently looking at ways to fundraise to help offset costs.” Additionally, AYS offers a scholarship program for qualifying participants that helps with program registration costs. More information about the Athletic Scholarships for Kids (ASK) program can be found by visiting avonindiana.gov/sports and clicking on “Scholarships.” Currently, registration is available for Fall Cheer for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade (grade level is based on the 2024-2025 school year). We are also accepting volunteer coach applications for the Fall Rec. Cheer program. You can register by logging into your AYS account, and then clicking on the “Volunteer” tab. The new Jr. Orioles Cheer Travel Team tryout registration is also available for 4th – 8th grade students (grade level is based on the 2024- 2025 school year), and don’t forget about the UCA Youth Cheer Day Camp coming up in June! What’s next on the horizon for the AYS Cheer program? Even more opportunities! We are currently working on a new Winter Basketball Cheer program and anticipate offering it to 4th- 8th graders with registration opening in early Fall!
MACKEY HOPES HER CHEERLEADERS WALK AWAY FROM THE PROGRAM WITH “CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, STRONG FUNDAMENTALS, AND THE ABILITY TO BE COACHABLE.”
Writer/Amanda Maxwell Photographer/Jake Rytlewski
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