Cheerleading: Sport or Activity? By Christopher Cusson

Every year, cheerleaders get concussions, break bones or even die. All this due to the lack of good staff and training. Cheerleading should be recognized as a sport. They do compétitions and contests, the cheerleaders are skillful and athletic. Also, by recognizing it as a sport, it would allow teams, or squads, to have good coaches and Equipment. I have a sister that did cheerleading, but she didn't have a specialized coach this year, so there is no cheerleading at her school this year.

First of all, many people say that cheerleading is not a sport, because they wear makeup, and say tey don't do much physical activity. These people don't even deserve to be taken in consideration, because makeup is part of the uniform, and the cheerleaders work so hard you can't imagine how strong they are.

Secondly, in the dictionary, sport is defined as "an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess, and OFTEN of a competitive nature." The cheerleaders surely do have skills, and many squads do compete in events and contests. Some squads don't but, OFTEN they do. So why not call it a sport?

Lastly, by recognizing it as a sport, we are opening a doorway to sponsorships and the opportunity of having specialized coaches and staff at schools. This would allow the cheerleaders to have good coaching, and prevent them from getting injured during a stunt which they are not ready for, or need more practice on.

As you can see, there is no reason why cheerleading is not a sport, so this is why we should recognize it as a sport. The athlètes are skillful and the activity is competitive, but it also would prevent them from getting injured during practices or compétitions. Let's not wait for another cheerleader to break her neck or get a concussion, let's recognize the sport of cheerleading!