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OK, you just got accepted at Western. AWESOME.
Which category of people do you see yourself falling into?
A. I love cheerleading but it's time for me to grow up, settle down
and spend more time with my studies. Right. You are in the prime of your
athletic life, are you really ready to retire from activity? Regarding the
growing up part... university cheerleading (and particularly, Western University
cheerleading) exposes you to a whole world of activities that high school
cheerleaders never see including civic and corporate promotions, alumni
affairs gigs and an endless stream of promotions for the athletic department,
university services and charities.
Study after study has shown that your alertness, mental well being and over-all
academic performance is enhanced when physically active. Add this to the
fact that being a member of a university team forces you to be a better
time manager and exposes you to a wider group of academic "helpers"
in your team mates. Basically, your marks will be better if you are on a
team, than if all you do is geek out in the library.
B. I'll never make the team...my high school team was weak and I've
never done co-ed stunts. No problem. Most of the team members have not done
co-ed stunts before trying out. We look more for excellent ATHLETIC ability
versus pure stunting skill. Your high school background is of no importance
to us. Whether your team was weak, non-existent or world champions...you
are at UWO now, the playing field is completely new.
C. I have never done cheerleading before, what are my chances of
making the team? As good as anyone's. We are looking for excellent athletic
ability, not just a great cheerleading resumé. On any given year,
at least half of the UWO cheerleaders did not cheer in high school. Tip:
Even our coach didn't cheer in high school. He was busy on the football,
basketball, soccer, track, cycling and skiing teams. He expects the same
of you.
D. I am strong confident and ready for the challenge of earning a
spot on the best team in the nation. Good...That's the spirit. Remember;
"Those that say it can't be done will undoubtedly get passed by others
that are doing it."
Other Popular Questions we usually get asked.
Do I have to know how to tumble? Consistent with our recruiting policy
of preferring superior athletes, we similarly have a fondness for highly
athletic individuals that have the physical capability to learn gymnastics.
This is a lofty way of saying; No, but you best be ready to learn and be
fit and ready to try. Ultimately, the best tumblers will migrate upward,
but gymnastics alone is not enough to secure a place on the team. We look
at the whole picture: stunting skills, leg power, personality, fitness and
your ability to learn quickly. Best course of action...get yourself into
a gymnastics facility before you get to tryouts. Hire a private coach or
get a gymnast to take you through the learning progressions before you try
out. People in the London area can take classes at the Power
Cheer Gym. If you can already tumble or you used to tumble, do yourself
a big favor and do some this summer. Don't wait until September 5th to go
for your first flip since you retired at age 14.
What are the height and weight requirements for the team? There aren't
any really. Obviously extreme bodily dimensions aren't great for making
the cut but it is very misleading to place absolute values on weight or
height as a requirement to make the squad. What is far more important than
what the scales say, is your ATHLETIC ABILITY, your strength to weight ratio
and your vertical jumping power. Light, strong, muscular women with springs,
generally do better than heavier, un-powerful bad jumpers. The bottom line
is; come to tryouts in top physical condition. Be ready to run and jump
hard. Eat smart and give 110%.
Do new people and freshmen automatically go to the Pre-Varsity team?
NO. The tryouts are for the whole team. After we have seen your skills
and learning curve, we place you to one of the teams. After mid November,
all individuals are evaluated and assigned to either the basketball cheering
team or the weight room. The 2004-5 squad had 8 freshman on the 20 member
team
What do I do now? First of all, call the coach and tell him
you got accepted by UWO and that you want to try out. Most of what he tells
you will already be here on our web page but it's good to call in anyway.
If you have more specific questions about the tryout format or your summer
preparations, it's good to bounce them off Coach Trace. He is at (519) 434-1037
or at the Power Gym (519) 667-0565. Tip: don't call on the weekends in July
as he will be out at a Power Cheerleading camp and don't call between 5:00-7:00pm
as that's his time to be out cycling.
How many people make the team? There is no set number. We are looking
for the best athletes to enhance the program. Typically the squad tops out
at about 20-24 people each but this number fluctuates every season.
If you can think of other "popular questions" that should be on
this list, please eMail them in to the coach at:
e-Mail: PCA@powercheerleading.com