Definitions

Cheerleading is a high energy, team-based performance sport that is athletic, artistic and acrobatic. Depending on the division of competition, athletes may be required to showcase a variety of skills including: tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids, tosses and dance.

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Cheerleading is broken down into two main sub-categories; Cheer and Performance Cheer each with their own divisions which showcases a variety of skills. Cheer division splits are skills based ranging from Introductory to Premier with each division requiring a higher skill level than the previous. There are also often age requirements to perform more technical skills i.e. those aged under 8 years may not compete at Advanced, Elite or Premier levels. Performance Cheer divisions are welcome to all skills levels but divisions are instead split by type of performance. These can include but are not limited to Pom, Hip Hop, Jazz and High Kick. Both Cheer and Performance Cheer Divisions are also further split by age range. A full list of the divisions available in the UK can be found here. 

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Allstar programmes/clubs is the term used when referring to cheerleading clubs that are not linked with an education establishment or existing sports teams. These clubs can be voluntary or private companies and may offer recreational as well as competitive cheerleading. 

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Event producers is the term used for those that provide competitive cheerleading events that are not the governing body of the sport. Event producers may work with governing bodies within the sport but do not in themselves govern the sport. Event producers often offer opportunities for their customers to compete at larger, more prestigious competitions, through a qualification process. This process is generally the winning of a particular division and known as "winning a bid" however if the winning team has received a "bid" from another competition or declines the opportunity this can be passed to an alternative team. Event producers provide an invaluable service to the cheerleading community through provision of events by allowing athletes to grow and develop within our sport. At this time , SportCheer Scotland do not host events however the world governing body (ICU) host a number of events throughout the year for both national teams and allstar clubs. More information can be found here. 

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