We Believe a safer cheer industry is necessary
Coaches should be the most ethical persons in an organization. Our unifying core mission is to urge them to create a positive and safe environment free from abusive coaching, fear of retribution, bullying, and inadequate training methods for all cheer and dance athletes world-wide.
our non-negotiables
standard of care
reduce expenses
focus of competition
athlete representation
our resources
We are reaching out to the best in the world of sports to seek guidance, gather information and have resources for our athletes.
OUR TRUTH
We wish to thank our friends at HBO Max: Real Sports for bringing the athlete voice forward—a special thanks to Bryant Gumbel, Mary Carillo and Max Gershberg
yOur Story—Our Voice
The Cheer Athlete Strong Initiative represents cheer and dance athletes around the world wanting change. Athletic training, in any sport, should be 100% geared for athlete safety and always free from all spectrums of abuse. Being the principle and only athlete voice in the industry, we are united by love of our sport, by our friendships and our strength to push forward for a voice to be heard.
Cheer athletes world-wide are encouraged to reach out and speak their truth. Regardless of the type of abuse you have endured, or no abuse at all, whether it is a silent voice or one wishing to be heard publically, there is a place for you…we are here for you. Collectively, we can and will make changes in the sport we all love.
We are not a reporting agency. We are cheer and dance athletes wanting better for our sport.
Our collective voice is what matters.
Our collective desire for healthy and meaningful change is what matters.
The athlete voice is what matters.
we are world-wide inclusive
We welcome all athletes without discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, national or country origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, genetic information, disability, language, socioeconomic status, veteran status or marital status. We are encouraging to those who have been abused, belittled, harassed and scorned. We are encouraging those who just want to make a change in our sport…we need all of us together.
Our global Minimum requests for coaches
Behavioral science tells us to never use conditioning as a discipline tool, under any circumstances
Amid the fast pace of coaching, it can be easy to forget we, the athlete, are not less than you, the coach
Understand, athletes who participate in decisions are more motivated to carry them out
Instead of superiority, we need to feel you as coaches trust us, believe in us, and that you see us as equal humans
As a coach, always model the behavior you want to encourage in us as athletes
Along with asking for our opinion, provide us the space to make decisions on our own, ensuring we have the your support in whatever those decisions are
Praising accomplishments, however small, will make us feel proud; letting us do things independently will make us feel capable and strong
By contrast, belittling comments or comparing one athlete unfavorably with another will make us feel worthless
At times, as young athletes, we aren’t good at regulating our emotions, but coaches can—you are the adults and need to guide us, not demand us
Strive to nurture and encourage us—make sure we know that although you, as the coach, want and expect better next time, your care is there no matter what
Be aware that as a coach, you’re constantly being watched by us—studies show that athletes display what they have as role models in their life. What you do makes a difference—the athletes are always watching
Simple ways athletes communicate joy, the honesty in our voice and the vulnerability in our questions leave a newfound joy for what we are becoming—recognize and embrace this courage
For safety, we understand discipline is necessary in every gym and the goal of discipline is to help us choose acceptable behaviors, learn self-control, all leading to a safer environment
Choose your words carefully and be compassionate—let us know that everyone makes mistakes and that you, as coaches, still care for and appreciate us as athletes and humans, even when you don’t care for our behavior
Understand, athletes who are negatively disciplined are more prone to showing aggression with other athletes, are more likely to be bullies and more likely to use aggression to solve disputes with others
Above all, treat us the way you expect others to treat you
Latest News
As abusive behavior is discovered, it will be posted
How a Cheerleading Monopolist Played Rough During the Pandemic
Matt Stoller, BIG May 2021
HBO Mary Carillo investigates allegations of rampant sexual abuse within glitzy world of All-Star cheerleading
Mary Carillo HBO Real Sports, Aug 24, 2021
Cheerleaders fight to be heard as NFL teams try to fix
Paige Skinner, SI, Jul 28, 2021
Cheerleading, Monopolies and Sexual Predators—Why Bain Capital’s Varsity Brands failed to stop a child sex scandal in cheerleading.
Matt Stoller BIG, Sept 27, 2020
Cheer Is Built on a Pyramid of Broken Bodies
Amanda Mull The Atlantic Jan 22, 2020
Twin sisters file lawsuit alleging sex abuse by coach at Cheer Athletics, gym showcased in Netflix’s ‘Cheer’
Eline de Bruijn, Texas WFFA Jul 19, 2021
Cheerleading Sexual Abuse Concerns Remain
National Law Review Nov 11, 2020
Twin Cheerleading Stars Say Their Coach Sexually Abused Them For Years During Training
Paige Skinner Buzzfeed Jul 19, 2021
Jerry Harris from ‘Cheer’ charged with producing child porn. He admitted receiving explicit photos from minors, court records show
Tricia L. Nadolny, Marisa Kwiatkowski The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), Sep 17, 2020
Athlete Survey
Solo Eligibility
18 years and older, retired or current
Eligibility w/parent
13-17 years, retired or current
All surveys are identical. Parent must grant permission for their athlete if they are 13-17 yrs. ALL INFORMATION IS ANONYMOUS, COMBINED, COLLATED AND THEN PUBLISHED
Survey Details
Purpose
To provide the cheer and dance industry with vital information on the athletes thoughts and understanding
Completely anonymous
All answers are confidential and anonymous. We are only interested in what the answers tell us
Results combined & collated
Results received are combined and collated and published here. Our partners will use the information to help steer us in the right areas to help us
Your truth is our strength
The more information and understanding we gather and share with those both outside and inside the industry, the safer we make the sport for us, the athlete