Recruiting for Next Season: It’s Never Too Early

It is never too early to begin thinking about next season. The start of the New Year is usually a good time to begin writing ideas down: activities you will do, competitions you can try out, new community outreach programs to test. There is a lot that goes into planning a new team. One of the most important things is recruiting the cheerleaders involved for that team. When people think of the word “recruiting’, they usually think of going to games outside of their own program and encouraging others to join them for a little gift. This is actually not allowed in most places. Instead, use recruitment in the same way that sororities do in college‚ you need to look at gaining prospective cheerleaders for your team. Helping younger teams. One of the best (and almost guaranteed) ways of encouraging younger students to try out for your cheer program is helping out at the younger levels. Juniors and sophomores should find a way to volunteer at the local youth cheer program, either as a junior coach or even just a simple helper once a week. An older cheerleader’s skills and enthusiasm often encourages younger cheerleaders to want to continue to grow their own skills and cheer at the high school level. Coaches can also help out. Having older cheerleaders and coaches visit younger teams’ practices usually inspires those cheerleaders and promotes your team. Don’t just cheer. Cheerleaders are not just for the sidelines of football and basketball games. Be an active part of your community. Take part in local parades, charities, tutoring, and events. Cheerleaders are known to bring their happy spirit out and spread it around. Your job does not end after the game is over. Showing those in your community that you are giving back will make people want to learn more about your program. Always look the part. No one wants to be a part of a team that is disheveled and a hot mess. If you are out as a team at a community event or game, look the part. From the time you arrive to when you leave, looking clean and put together is going to gain the respect of other cheerleaders, athletes, parents, and your school administration. It’s very easy to come to a game with your hair already done, uniform game-ready, and make-up completed. Don’t show up looking like you just rolled out of bed. Reputation is everything. Keeping a good reputation as a team is one of the most important things to continue to have for cheerleaders to want to be a part of your program. No one wants to be on a team that has no fun, or is known for being snotty and stuck-up. Cheerleaders want to know they will have great experiences, learn new skills, and help their community while being on a team. Always put your best foot forward and have a smile on your face! Everyone loves a happy cheerleader. When do you start recruiting for your next season? What do you keep in mind when recruiting? Share your thoughts in the comments below!