- Sep 8, 2015
- 5
- 1
I have recently taken over a cheer program at a K-12 small school where the cheerleading program has lapsed over the last few years. We cheer for varsity football and basketball. Right now I have 5 seniors on the basketball squad. That means next year I will start with zero unless I do some major recruiting.
My question is, how do I create interest in the program? It's a small school, maybe 200 total in grades 9-12. Right now I'm worried most about getting a starter squad - it will be girls who haven't cheered before (since those who have are graduating) and I'd honestly be happy with 6-8 reliable girls.
When we did signups for basketball season, I had about 16 initially interested but all but 5 fell away for one reason or another. I've talked to several underclassmen, even opening up varsity (!!) all the way down to 8th grade. But I just have my 5 girls and no one else has said "Yes, I want to do it next year." I have really had to check my expectations about time commitment, etc. I know once we get a squad started, all those other things will come eventually. But I'd like to get a squad ready to go for the summer - so we can do camp, practices, etc. and be fully ready for football season.
Any ideas? Games, contests, things we can do at lunch? I can utilize my current cheerleaders somehow. They really want me to grow the program, but first I have to get more girls or we won't even have a squad next year!
My question is, how do I create interest in the program? It's a small school, maybe 200 total in grades 9-12. Right now I'm worried most about getting a starter squad - it will be girls who haven't cheered before (since those who have are graduating) and I'd honestly be happy with 6-8 reliable girls.
When we did signups for basketball season, I had about 16 initially interested but all but 5 fell away for one reason or another. I've talked to several underclassmen, even opening up varsity (!!) all the way down to 8th grade. But I just have my 5 girls and no one else has said "Yes, I want to do it next year." I have really had to check my expectations about time commitment, etc. I know once we get a squad started, all those other things will come eventually. But I'd like to get a squad ready to go for the summer - so we can do camp, practices, etc. and be fully ready for football season.
Any ideas? Games, contests, things we can do at lunch? I can utilize my current cheerleaders somehow. They really want me to grow the program, but first I have to get more girls or we won't even have a squad next year!