Tips For Staying Safe When Cheering At Away Games

Cheerleading squads travel with their teams all season, and cheer on sidelines that are not familiar. Athletic events can draw large crowds, create an intense atmosphere and be a fast-paced environment. While the safety risks of a serious incident occurring at these events are low, there are steps you can take to prepare and ensure the safety of yourself, your personal property and your team. Safety At Away Games The host school should be providing increased security during games. It is the responsibility of your school’s administration to make sure that any school that your team will visit is following safety guidelines. When you arrive, make sure that the field and sidelines have been properly maintained. If there are any issue that will affect the safety of your team, bring them up with the home team immediately. Cheerleading squads should have their own travel emergency kits that they bring with them to away games. Coaches should make sure that the kit is brought to the sidelines (not left in the bus) and easily accessible. Coaches should check that all non-used portions of the school grounds are locked or otherwise guarded so that no one can enter unauthorized. When traveling, there should be enough staff members present to properly supervise the team. If there is not an assistant coach, get parents involved and have them travel with the team. Each member of the team should be aware of all exit routes. Since the host school will be unfamiliar, it is important to take a few moments when you arrive to look around and get to know your surroundings. Squads should establish a “buddy system’, so that it will be immediately apparent if anyone is missing. No cheerleader should visit the locker rooms or any non-populated and/or poorly lit area of the school grounds alone. Your personal items should be locked in a locker or some other secure place. Host teams should have a separate locker room from your team. If possible, leave all valuables, like jewelry, cell phones and money, at home or locked in the locker room at your school. While school rivalries can be fun and exciting, don’t let emotions get out of hand. If someone in the crowd or on one of the teams starts to act aggressively, find your coach and a security member immediately. Coaches should have emergency information for each squad member on file and on site with them. The information should include contact numbers for guardians and physicians, a list of current medications and any preexisting medical conditions. Only coaches should arrange travel, and it should be mandatory that the team travels together. No squad member should be allowed to get a ride to or from the event. Leave a comment to tell us how you or your school focuses on safety for away games!