Cheerleaders are working hard to make cheerleading a recognized sport! This time, cheerleaders are sounding off in Needham, Massachusetts. Current and former cheerleaders of all ages are pushing lawmakers to pass a bill officially recognizing cheerleading as a sport. The Massachusetts cheerleaders told their education committee that if cheer was a recognized sport, they would have access to trained coaches, better facilities and practice hours, safer equipment, and, for public school squads, more funding. As reported by wickedlocal.com, 12-year-old Emma Mannal, who cheers for her middle school squad, had wise words to share with lawmakers. “We spend hours each day, weeks, and even months trying to perfect harder and more complex tumbling skills. We work just as hard as other athletes, we may even work harder…We do something other athletes don’t have to do. We have to defend our sport.” Emma is the daughter of Representative Brian Mannal who filed the legislation after witnessing time and time again his daughter’s cheer squad having to fight for practice space and recognition from the school and other sports. Other cheerleaders have also spoken up to lawmakers, showing cheer-related injuries and explaining how hard and how often they practice. So what would happen if a bill passed recognizing cheer as an official sport? A lot of things. All local school committees would implement policies giving equal opportunities and funding for cheerleading. Squads would be eligible for athletic scholarships and awards. We hope the cheerleaders of Massachusetts stand strong and fight for athletic equality! News source: Wicked Local Does your school recognize cheer as a sport?
Will Massachusetts Rule Cheerleading a Sport?
