Athens Cheer Strategic Plan

ATHENS CHEER Strategic Plan

Prepared by Gia Russell February 2020

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chelsea Aderholt

Courtney Maclin

Kristin Black

Jennifer Maloney

Heather Burns

Jarshica Richardson

Kelly Cain

Gia Russell

Mahaley Craig

Nicole Stockman

Mary Craig

Neil Turner

Paige Hicks

MISSION To lead, promote and champion cheerleading in Athens City Schools.

VISION Athens City Schools Cheer Programs strive to develop highly competitive athletes on a local, state and national level as well as maintain community spirit through positive representation of the school.

CORE VALUES We believe...

Cheerleaders are athletes.

Cheerleaders promote school spirit and pride.

Cheerleaders positively represent Athens City Schools.

Cheerleaders exhibit good sportsmanship at all times.

Cheerleaders develop lifelong values and skills through opportunities and experiences.

Cheerleaders preserve and modernize tradition and develop new ways to increase school spirit.

Cheerleaders develop positive relationships with peer schools, their programs and community sponsors.

SWOT ANALYSIS EXAMINATION OF STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS

REVIEW OF PROGRAM PROS

CONS

Talented Athletes

Facility Availability

Community and Board of

Schedules

Education Support Positive Culture

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

Interest in the program

Facilities

Administrative support

Not enough experienced

Parental buy-in

coaches to accommodate

Coaching

volume- admin asst

Talent

Time commitment

Access to knowledgeable

Strength and conditioning

cheer trainer

Lack of skill pool in gymnastics

Cheer block (year round)

curriculum K-6

Current equipment

Lack of marketing programs

Well respected program in

(promoting)

Southeast Region

Program structure

Positive culture Eyes on us College exposure Travel opportunities Mentor

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

Untapped potential in

Program structure

developing and integrating

All Star Cheer programs

gymnastics unit in k-6

Facilities- due to injury potential

Partnership with Cheerville for

Eyes on us

facility usage and consulting

Basketball season

Partnership with 360 Fitness to

Financial cost

work with strength and conditioning coach (Reid Lancaster) Gymnastics camp for ages 412 in summer Gymnastics sessions in afterschool programs at elementary, intermediate and grade 6

GOALS

1

DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN CHEER PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE SCHOOL SPIRIT AND COMPETITION.

Administrative support- support from district and local building administrators (k-12) Cheer athletic period year long within the 7-12 program Preparation for upcoming school year Partner with K-6 gymnastic program Make signs Strength and conditioning focus Market cheer programs Stunt, tumble , jump clinics

Support local elementary and community activities such as: Eagle Buddies Pep on The Square Ribbon sales Elementary pep rallies Mini cheer clinic

2

DESIGNATE AND IMPROVE FACILITY SPACE AND AVAILABILITY FOR CHEER ATHLETES.

Have space (on campus or provide transportation to facility (Cheerville))Â for practice for duration of cheer seasons (basketball, football, and competition) Designate practice facility for cheer athletes that ensure safety and skill acquisition through tumbling/gymnastics ( spring floor, tumbling mats, tumble track), attention to ceiling size or access to Cheerville Designated space in Rec Center to accommodate needs Designated space allows for fundraising opportunities Mini cheer camps Gymnastics camps Clinics

GOALS

3

RECRUIT KNOWLEDGEABLE AND SKILLED COACHES TRAINERS.

Recruit and hire additional coaches that have expertise in the area of school spirit, stunting safety, and tumbling knowledge Thoughtful placement of cheer coaches at school levels Institute a gymnastic program in grades K-6 to promote awareness of gymnastics and tumbling with the support of local administrators, Physical Education teachers, cheer coaches and cheerleaders Partner with Rec Center or Cheer Gym to promote gymnastic skills to elementary students through unit (as is done with Rec baseball, basketball, etc) USASF training for cheer coaches and PE teachers

4

DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAM FOR CHEER ATHLETES.

Strength and conditioning is an integral part of the cheer program year long The cheer program incorporates strength and conditioning within the program Coaches set strength and conditioning expectations and goals for cheer programs Access to weight room

Continued partnership with 360 fitness (Reid Lancaster)

Continued partnership with knowledgeable trainer

Focus on goal setting, leadership, team building, sports psychology

SUMMARY In summary, Athens City Schools has skilled and talented athletes.

The program is successful due to School Board, Administration and community support. Coaches work hard to promote a positive culture between both programs at AMS and AHS. These programs are well known and well-respected throughout Alabama and the Southeast. The identified areas of weakness were few. However, most importantly is the knowledge base for coaches. As cheer evolves, the safety and skill knowledge is a prerequisite for coaches. A strength and conditioning program is desired for cheer athletes in order to prepare them for the athletic nature of the support. Currently, Reid Lancaster is scheduled to begin working with the cheer athletes in March developing a strength and conditioning plan. Another weakness is the lack of knowledge about gymnastics at the K-6 level. The identified opportunities include tapping into the potential for K-6 gymnastics integration, gymnastics summer camps and gymnastics after-school programs.

The threats to the program include the All-Star Cheer programs in this area that recruit school cheerleaders.

Becoming is better than being.

CAROL DWECK

ATHENS CHEER PROGAM Gia Russell, Cheer Coordinator Athens High School

655 US Hwy. 31Â N.

Athens, AL

ACS-K12.ORG/CHEER

35611