Talk:Cheerleading in Australia

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Plan[edit]

Woo! new page. (Article created 9 Nov, talk page added Fri 11 local time) The intent is to start this in my sandbox until it has some substance or at least a structural outline, then move it to Drafts for further development (or maybe straight to article space?).

I'm not too fussed about getting it nominated for Did You Know, as the 7-day limit is a bit restrictive. But I won't rule it out, either.

Pelagic (talk) 19:01, 10 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Rationale[edit]

Why a separate page for "Cheerleading in Australia"? Well, there's one for Cheerleading in the United Kingdom, and it saves the main Cheerleading page from becoming cluttered with endless "Cheerleading in country" sections. I'd prefer a single section for "cheerleading outside the US" or "cheerleading outside North America". Note that the Cheerleading in Canada section has been tagged for a split for several years, but the discussion didn't get any response.

Pelagic (talk) 19:01, 10 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

List of news articles[edit]

Collecting resources here that may later be used to support assertions of fact in the article. For material on EBSCO ANZRC, you may be able to gain access via membership of an Australian public library.

  • Cheerleaders 'living the dream' Sydney Morning Herald, 2011-10-06. No by-line, credited to AAP.
    Article about Kimberley Roebuck, "last year's [2010?] Big League NRL Cheerleader of the Year", and Elizabeth Commons, "silver medallist at this year's world cheerleading competition [ICU April ?2011]". Article brings out the distinction between NRL pom/dance style cheerleading versus competitive acrobatic-style cheer. "As Commons explains, competitive cheerleading is different from the NRL club squads. The focus is more on acrobatic tumbling, such as backflips and stunting." Also a source for the fact of Australia's first medals in 2011, where the all-girl team "won silver and an Australian co-ed team won bronze".
  • Stark, Jill. 2015-11-29. "Thousands compete at Australian All Stars Cheerleading finals in Melbourne", Sydney Morning Herald. 1 (Also appeared in Melbourne's The Sunday Age under the headline "Cheerleading's not just for kicks" EBSCO.)
  • Chadwick, Justin, 2008. "Cheer: Cheerleading beyond boobs, bums and short skirts" AAP Australian Sports News Wire, 17/10/2008. EBSCO (Also appeared as "Cheerleading makes bid to take centre stage at the Olympics." Geelong Advertiser, 16/10/2008. EBSCO.)
    "the inaugural Cheerleading World Cup to be launched at Disney World in Florida next year, ... Two months ago the International Cheer Union, the newly-formed world governing body for cheerleading, travelled to Beijing to hand its submission to the International Olympic Committee for the sport to be granted entry to the Olympics."
    "There was little publicity when Sydney hosted the seventh Australian Cheerleading Championships earlier this month, with the all-conquering Perth Angels taking out their sixth title."
    "Perth Angels captain Briony Keenan" (c.f. CUA)
  • Gladman, Simon. "That's the Spirit! Cheerleading champs get Coast crowds on a high." The Gold Coast Bulletin 30/06/2008. EBSCO
    • "Organisers of the Downunder Spirit Championships credited hit movie Bring It On, released in Australia in 2000, as the reason cheerleading had become one of Australia's fastest-growing sports."
    • "The annual Downunder Spirit Championships, in its seventh year on the Gold Coast, featured 120 teams across two days of action."
    • "We always had cheerleaders but they were more like football cheerleaders on the sidelines."
  • "Is this too rude? Cheerleading body bans bare midriffs." Cairns Post, The, 19/04/2006. EBSCO Gymnastics Australia bans midriff-baring cheer uniforms. Article makes distinction between commercial and gymnastic cheerleading: "if that's their ruling for what they're doing that's fine, (but) commercial cheerleading is very different"
  • Ash, Julie, 2004. "Cheerleaders fly high in Australia ." New Zealand Herald, 24/07/2004. EBSCO
    • "In their first international outing they beat 12 other teams from Australia and the United States to win the Downunder Spirit international championship, staged by Gymnastics Australia."
    • "'I don't think anyone expected us to do so well because it was our first time competing and cheerleading has only been going in New Zealand for about two years,' said coach Kimberley Ramsey."
  • [No by-line] 2010 "Cheerleading is on the up-and-up — Happy Australia Day." Inner-West Weekly (Sydney), 21.01.2010, p6. EBSCO Example of exhibition performance by an all-star team: "GET set for some sky-high action when the Sydney Altitude cheerleaders perform two spectacular shows as part of this year's Australia Day celebrations in Burwood."
  • Hartley, Georgia; Sim, Stephanie. 2010. "Cheers to more success." The Newcastle Herald 26/10/2010. EBSCO Example of all-star-style high-school team.
  • Healey, Samantha. 2008. "Cheerleaders vie for trip to Vegas." EBSCO The Sunday Mail (Brisbane), 21/09/2008. First World Cup Cheerleading (WCC) [now WCCD] Asia-Pacific Grand Final.
  • Davies, Hannah. Another report on change to uniform regulations, mentions ban already in effect in US, also that 105 teams were registered with Gymnastic Australia in 2006.
    • Various versions appeared in different newspapers:
      • "Cover up, girls told - Anorexia fears over revealing cheerleader outfits." Sunday Mail, The (Brisbane), 16/04/2006. p. 3 [1]
      • "Cheerleaders told to cover up." Sunday Territorian Northern Territory News (includes Sunday Territorian), 16/04/2006. p. 42 [2] Includes quotes from Brisbane Broncos and details on affected Queensland clubs. Also has longer quote from eating disorders counsellor.
      • "Cheerleaders' bare midriffs banned." Sunday Telegraph, The (Sydney), 16/04/2006. p. 11 [3] Similar to NT article, but has added quote from Sydney Lisa Ince who runs a Sydney dance company. Longer quote from Broncos manager, but paragraph on Broncos cheerleader omitted.
      • "Cheerleaders must cover up; BAN Disorders fear." The Advertiser (Adelaide), 17/04/2006. State edition p. 15[4].
      • "Order new uniforms; cheerleaders must cover up." The Advertiser (Adelaide), 17/04/2006. Metro edition p. 15 [5]
    • Newswire is much shorter. Was it cut down from Davies' article, or did she start with the wire and build up?
      • Fed: Cheerleaders to be banned from baring midriffs." AAP Australian National News Wire, 15/04/2006.
  • Thom, Greg. 2005. "Cheer Up" Herald Sun (Melbourne), 31/12/2005. EBSCO "CHEERLEADING is now officially recognised as a sport in Australia." Most of article is interview with Kerryn Brimmer from KLD Cheerleaders. "Brimmer ... stumbled across cheerleading 2 1/2 years ago. 'There was a dance competition that we went to and it had a cheerleading section. You don't come across that very often,' she says."

Several edits compiling the list above, I'll just sign the whole lot once: Pelagic (talk) 20:37, 15 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

  • 2006, "A sport on the up" Townsville Bulletin 2006-06-30. EBSCO "Gymnastic Australia's national chairwoman Lyn Parker said ... cheerleading has only been recognised as a sport for the past five years" Pelagic (talk) 02:06, 19 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

A new flurry of articles 8 to 9 Dec[edit]

This isn't about cheerleading in Australia, per se, but it's Australian coverage of international cheerleading. Just parking it here for future reference.

And other references[edit]

  • ACU listing on ICU site
  • Cheer and Dance at Australian University Games. Note that Pom is listed under "Dance", but then so is partner stunting. The split is likely a pragmatic one based on number of competitors, so we can't read too much into it.
    • Rules are based on ICU, not USASF. (The link in the document doesn't lead to anything specific, though.) Note that there is a compulsory 30-second cheer using props (pom-poms, megaphone, and signs) that may appear anywhere within the 2:30 routine. (Contrast the AASCF, CheerCon, and Beaches competitions I've seen where the props routine was performed before setting for the start of music and main routine.)

Pelagic (talk) 20:01, 10 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

  • Australian Cheerleader magazine, issue 6 November 2013. Not sure how many issues are available online, but might be able to mine some information such as advertised competitions and squad listings.
    For example, the ad on p. 5 shows that, in 2014, AASCF was running Winterfest, Allstar Battles, State Championships, and National Championships. [edit: no mention of Pinnacle]
    Pages 6–7 have an article summarizing Australian results from ICU and ISCF worlds.
    Page 13, ad for Aussie Gold competition says "new in 2014... Partial Paid and At Large Bids to the 2015 IASF Cheerleading & Dance Worlds"
  • "AASCF sees rapid growth", p. 34. 40% at state and 25% at nationals from 2012 to 2013.

Pelagic (talk) 23:27, 10 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

AUS Cheer[edit]

I'm trying to discover what AUS Cheer was. There are videos on YouTube of teams competing in AUS Cheer competitions. The Facebook page [6] is still up. www.auscheer.org.au resolves to 203.176.121.90, which doesn't respond to pings.

Found the answer at the wayback machine: last live capture, Sep 2014, 301 redirect, Dec 2014

Pelagic (talk) 05:59, 16 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Revisit[edit]

I'm returning to this article after a long interregnum. My daughter is taking a break from competitive cheer this year (2018), so I'm less involved with the subject now. This article was almost ready to go live back in 2016, there were just a few aspects that I never got to complete. Plan to move it to mainspace so that it can get the attention it deserves.

I fear that I'm going to find a lot of dead links...

Pelagic (talk) 03:15, 15 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

To-Do List June 2018[edit]

  • Check references.  Doing... Pelagic (talk) 05:28, 15 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]
  • Look for any major changes in the sport between 2016 and 2018.  Done Pelagic (talk) 11:05, 15 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]
    • WCCD change to DCE already noted.  Done
    • AASCF site now mentions Australian Cheer Sport Alliance. Looking at site but haven't yet fund a definitive statement of when they were formed.
      • Facebook post says 2017. That'll have to do for now.  Done 11:05, 15 July 2018 (UTC)
    • Oh, no, this and that. Will need to rewrite a major section of the article. Pelagic (talk) 06:52, 15 July 2018 (UTC)  Done 11:05, 15 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]
  • Check state of main Cheerleading article and treatment of "Cheerleading-in-[country]"-type content.
  • Consider a section on the relationship between cheer and dance. Is this a peculiarly Australian thing?  Later Pelagic (talk) 05:28, 15 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]
    Cheerleading Worlds and Dance Worlds are held concurrently in the US - I have a draft sitting for Dance Worlds after fixing the US Cheer Worlds. IASF is the governing body for both cheer and all star dance. ICU runs their dance divisions under the name performance cheer. This relationship deserves a highlighted section of its own and further investigation and research. AJay9509 (talk) 11:24, 7 May 2023 (UTC)[reply]
  • Move and pray.  Done Moved. Pelagic (talk) 11:40, 15 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]
  • Add categories.  Done 14:51, 15 July 2018 (UTC)
  • Add wikiprojects.
  • Convert more references to use {{Cite}} templates.  Doing...

Pelagic (talk) 04:59, 15 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]


History within Australia - Gymnastics Australia, AASCF, ACU, ACSA[edit]

To do: Add information regarding international competition participation, explore further the relationship between Gymnastics Australia and subsidiary ACU as governing bodies with AASCF launching as an attempt at being a governing body, and their relationship, and then explore how this entwines with Gymnastics Australia releasing ACU and cheerleading in 2018 which also saw the launch of ASCA as a governing body by the same people who launched AASCF and originally were board members on ACU.

Overview of research: Cheerleading dates back to 2002 in Australia under Gymnastics Australia. AASCF launching in 2006 appeared to challenge Gymnastics Australia place as governing body. Gymnastics Australia launched ACU under them, being recognised by ICU. Gymnastics Australia events continued to lose popularity throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, losing their power as regulatory body as people chose not to work with them. By 2016, Gymnastics Australia was investigating dropping cheerleading as a gymsport, which they did in 2017-18. AASCF launching Australian Cheer Sport Alliance as an alternative. ACSA applied for recognition with ICU. and Sports Australia, being rejected by both, with ICU recreating ACU as a separate entity in 2019 as Gymnastics Australia stepped down. ACU and ACSA have both been working towards recognition with Sports Australia as NSO, but they have both been rejected.

Research to further be done - ACU vs ACSA, current influence of both and industry split, Sports Australia requirements for NSO and where each one meets/doesn't meet, future from here on out, when other competition providers started gaining prominence e.g. Aussie Gold, WCCD changing into DCE, Cheerbrandz, why other competitions shut down over years that have been listed in the article, role of Aussie Gold with crossover with AUSCheer?

This research is incomplete, and needs to be built upon, with branching questions throughout, but are simply a touch point that can then be used to further research and build upon to further add to the article.

Research notes to build into the article include:

2002:

Information from Gymnastics Australia 2002 annual report

  • Cheerleading officially became part of General Gymnastics, with the establishment of a national program, accredited coaching courses and national championship. Working committee led by Nerine Cooper consisting of Nerine, Lyn Parker, Margaret-Mary Opstelten, Tina Burger & Lyndal Johns.
  • over 400 athletes competed at first GA cheer nationals, held as part of the Aussie GymFest program at Brisbane's Southbank Parklands. Won by Perth Angels (WA).
  • Gymnastics Australia invited to be involved in the Australian Rugby League Grand Final Half Time Entertainment, training over 120 cheerleaders over 3 day training camp, coordinated by Lyn Parker.
  • North Queensland Cowboys Cheerleaders, consisting of 12 athletes led by Team Manager Lyn Parker, selected to represent Australia at Osaka Gymnastics Festival in Japan.


2003:

Information from 2003 Gymnastics Australia annual reporthttps://sa.gymnastics.org.au/images/national/About_Us/Annual_reports/2003_Report_for_Web.pdf

  • Introduction of an International Cheerleading competition involving USA teams - "An international competition, the International Cheerleading Challenge was incorporated into the National Cheerleading Championships for the first time. Teams from USA and Australia competed in this successful event. Due to the success of this format, this event will stand alone next year with interest shown from Japan and New Zealand."
  • "The 2003 Cheerleading Championships once again saw over 500 participants involved with many new school teams also now participating. Congratulations to all participants and winning teams of their various divisions as outlined in the appendices. Special congratulations must be extended to the Perth Angels who were awarded the National Champion Team Award, for the 2nd consecutive year, based on their outstanding and winning performances. The 2003 Championships also saw the staging of a special International Challenge with teams from the USA involved. Based on the success of this event it is planned to work in partnership with International Sports Specialists to stage an annual International Challenge in Australia"
  • "The Level 1-3 program for Cheerleading was finalised throughout 2003 with the manual, video and music CD being available for sale just prior to Christmas"
  • 464 entries into cheerleading Australian championships, run by Gymnastics Australia
  • side note - UOW Wildcats coming 3rd in dance, cheer and chant and tied 2nd in tumbling, stunts and dance, showing they hold the oldest university based program in Australia, contests common held belief that Griffth holds this title.


2004:

Information from 2004 Gymnastics Australia annual reporthttps://sa.gymnastics.org.au/images/national/About_Us/Annual_reports/annual_report_04_screen.pdf

  • Gymnastics Australia partnered with International Sports Specialists to stage 2004 DownUnder Spirit Championships for cheerleaders
  • Australian GymSport Spectacular held in September 25 to October 2nd in Sydney by Gymnastics Australia, hosting national cheerleading championships. 698 entries.
  • Perth Angels, 2004 National Champion team, represented Australia at cheerleading event in Hong Kong in August.
  • As a result of participation in this Hong Kong promotion, Gymnastics Australia was fortunate to secure a valuable sponsorship from Nacisey (Cheerleading Uniforms) for the next three years
  • Gymnastics Queensland embraced Cheerleading as its own unique gymsport.


2005:

Information from Gymnastics Australia 2005 Annual Reporthttps://sa.gymnastics.org.au/images/national/About_Us/Annual_reports/Annual_Report_2005_Web.pdf

  • Gymnastics Australia sent first ever international cheer team from Australia travelled to Cheer Ltd International Cheer & Dance Championships in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, made up from 4 clubs (Acrobatics Fanatics, Fit2Cheer, KLD & Western Cheerleading & Dance Co), won Open Dance and Senior Recreation category in 2005.
  • Perth Stunt Team travelled to Thailand to compete in Seacon Square National Cheerleading Championships in Bangkok.


2006:

Information from 2006 Gymnastics Australia annual report

  • Gymnastics Australia USA Cheerleading Tour coordinated by Do It Right Downunder for Australian and New Zealand teams to travel to Cheer Ltd's Canadian American National Championships in Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Aussie teams were Perth Angels (WA) and Acrobatic Fanatics (Qld).
  • 2006 - Downunder Spirit Championships held in July in Australia as an international competition. 337 athletes from 28 teams from America, New Zealand, Thailand and Australia (ACT, SA, NSW, QLD and WA), increasing from 2005's 17 teams.
  • Gymnastics Australia Jane Allen & Nerine Cooper travelled to USA in July to meet with United States All Star Federation to discuss direction of cheerleading and future relations.

- Gymnastics Australia National Championships - 766 entries from 45 teams, increasing from 38 teams in 2005. USASF director observed event, pleased with standard of event conducted in Australia.

  • Motion carried to follow USASF level rules in 2007 in Australian cheerleading


AASCF related information


2007:


Gymnastics Australia 2007 annual report info

  • Perth Angels Stunt team represented Gymnastics Australia at Cheerleading Worlds
  • 2007 Downunder Spirit Championships for cheer, pom, dance and sport aerobics, international entries from NZ, Thailand and Australia (SA, NSW, QLD, Vic & WA).
  • 2007 GA Nationals - 648 athletes from 37 teams
  • "At the national planning conference held in October Gymnastics Australia, along with its Association Members, recognised that the time was right to re-position cheerleading within the operations of GA and it was agreed as a priority to: adopt a national model which is more relevant to the culture and operations of cheerleading. The National Cheerleading Committee met in February 2008 to develop a model which could be adopted once discussed with the Association Members and approved by the GA Board. "


AASCF related information:

  • Notes on website providing background of owners, Rosemary Sims and her husband, Stephen James.

"Rosemary Sims: Rosemary is trained in RAD classical ballet, jazz, hip hop, all styles of ballroom, jive and street Latin, was world class at exhibitions style of dancing which involves extreme dance lifts coupled with all styles of dancing, she is an established TV, exhibition ballroom, commercial and All Star cheerleading choreographer, ATD qualified dance teacher, a Level 6 USASF (United States All Star Federation) accredited cheerleading & dance coach and AACCA (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches & Advisers) safety accredited. She has been a passionate and respected force within the Australian Cheerleading, dance and entertainment scene for over 25 years & has been instrumental in the establishment of excellence and growth for the Australian and International cheerleading industry. She has had the honor of utilizing her vast experience to train instructional staff, coaches, and athletes of all ages. In 1999, she formulated & implemented Australia’s first ever Student Cheerleading Levels Program. This user-friendly program works for all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities. The cheerleaders work their way through the levels program at their own pace, progressing on their strengths and developing their weaknesses. This very comprehensive “safety first” cheerleading program specializes in 10 elements from dance to tumbling to cheer stunt & fundraising to name only a few and Rosemary has over 700 students working their way through the program. As well as being the founder / director of the “Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation” (AASCF), is a Cheer & Dance gym owner, USASF World Advisory Board member, USASF Level 6 accredited Coach & AACCA safety accredited coach. Rosemary is also the Australian Regional Director and coach accreditor of the USASF. Rosemary has a passion for developing team work, dedication and commitment in children enabling them to feel self confident and empowered. Her love for cheerleading and dance and knowledge of the sport enables her to be one of the leading coaches in Australia today!! Rosemary’s high standard of professionalism and integrity and her unyielding dedication to young athletes is a strong anchor on which all of her cheerleading endeavors are proudly founded.

Stephen James: Stephen has an extensive background in multi national business management and as Team Manager directs the marketing and business interests of CV’s Australian Outlaws. AACCA safety certified and a member of the USASF World Advisory Board, his desire to support young athletes is evident in the highly involved role he takes in the cheerleading community. An accomplished athlete in his own right, Stephen fully appreciates the life skills and leadership opportunities that the cheerleading experience has to offer."

  • Note: "In 1999, she formulated & implemented Australia’s first ever Student Cheerleading Levels Program." - Rosemary is the owner of Outlaws Edge Allstars, Victoria. This program still exists today, being offered at the Victorian and Queensland gyms - https://www.outlawsallstars.com.au/levels-cheerleading
  • 1 July 2008 - AASCF registers ABN 28 125 837 452 for the business entity "Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation Pty Ltd".


2008:

Gymnastics Australia annual report infohttps://sa.gymnastics.org.au/images/national/About_Us/Annual_reports/08_annual_report4.pdf

  • Feb 2008 meeting of National Cheerleading Committee, Lynn Parker, Briony Keenan and Nerine Cooper with Rachael Vittorias, Kylie Pocklington & Kerryn Brimmer to develop future direction plan.
  • July - plan saw formation of the Australian Cheer Union serving as the official governing body of Cheerleading in Australia, aiming to coordinate a national event calender, standardise rules and advance coach and judge education for safety of the sport.
  • In response to one of GA's key strategic priorities for 09-12, launched a new national brand for cheerleading "AUS Cheer", in October at National Championships. Planned 09 launch for AUS Cheer Nations Cup series of events with all states except Qld to deliver. Launch was held in October at the Australian Cheerleading Championships.
  • Gymnastics Australia officially affiliated with International Cheerleading Federation (ICF), International All Star Federation (IASF) and International Cheerleading Union (ICU).
  • Downunder Spirit Championships successfully held in July, with 48 teams and 806 athletes. This marked final year of GA partnership with Downunder Spirit Championships as 09 introduced international AUSCheer event.
  • Jane Allen, Nerine Cooper & Briony Kennan travelled to Cheerleading Worlds, meeting with ICU about proposed ICU World Cup in 2009.
  • Nerine Cooper, Elissa Manera, Karen Norden, Rachael Vittorias & Thomasine Warmington represented AUSCheer at IASF Judges Course in Qld, in November.
  • National Championships in Sydney in October saw release of new AUS Cheer branding and inclusion of group stunt and partner stunt divisions.
  • Nerine Cooper attended ICU Cheerleading Camp & Conference held in Malaysia in December, hosted by national governing body in Malaysia.
  • Kaepa partnered with Gymnastics Australia for cheerleading shoes.


AASCF related information

  • AASCF program director, Rosemary Sims, received 2008 World's Top International Cheer Coach award at IASF and Cheer Coach & Advisor awards.

https://web.archive.org/web/20080718180758/http://www.aascf.com.au/index.php?componentName=NewsPublic&scid=32792

  • AASCF awarded birds for 2009 Cheerleading Worlds at 2008 Nationals.

https://web.archive.org/web/20080718180758/http://www.aascf.com.au/index.php?componentName=NewsPublic&scid=32792


2009:

Gymnastics Australia 2009 annual report info

  • GA launched its new AUS Cheer program involving a Nations Cup Event series involving over 5,888 cheerleaders in 23 events across Australia, national camps with international instructors involving 44 coaches and 306 athletes, and an international tour to the USA to compete against the best in the world. 318 teams from around Australia entered an AUS Cheer event, earning points for each round they entered. Congratulations to the Acrobatic Fanatics Team NRG and Steps 201 Silver Stars, who were crowned the 2009 Champion Teams for Cheerleading and Dance, respectively. MLC Gymnastics Club VIC joined AUSCheer for USA Cheerleading Tour, competing in Aloha International Spirit Championships in Hawaii and COA Ultimate National Championships in Florida.
  • A management committee consisting of the six states committed to the delivery of the AUS Cheer program worked hard to establish operational guidelines for the introduction of cheerleading within mainstream gymnastics.
  • Starlets Cheerleading (NSW), Air Born Cheerleading (NSW) and six instructors from Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) (America) were invited by AUS Cheer to perform at the Lord Mayor’s Party at the Sydney Opera House on New Year's Eve.
  • National Touring camp held during January, with 44 coaches and 306 athletes attending, led by UCA instructors.
  • AUS Cheer received an invitation from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, to perform at the 2009 Chinese New Year Night Parade and Fiesta in Hong Kong in January. Based on their results at the 2008 National Championships, 3 teams (35 athletes and 3 coaches) from Wesley Lions (VIC), Star-Mites Gymsports (WA) and Fit 2 Cheer (WA) were invited by AUS Cheer to travel to Hong Kong to perform in the Chinese New Year festivities. Tina Burger choreographed the performance, which was televised by TVB television Hong Kong.
  • The AUS Cheer International Cheer, Dance and Sport Aerobic Championships were held at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Queensland in July. 18 Teams from Australia, Malaysia and USA participated in the event. Kansas State University Coach, Dani Ruoff, conducted a workshop for coaches and athletes following the event.
  • Australian Grand National Championships held in Melbourne in October, largest participation ever with 874 athletes from 49 teams at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. University of Hawaii Coach Mike Baker conducted workshop following event.
  • New TEAMCheer resource endorsed by ASC released in November, with pilot programs conducted in 12 Active After School programs in NSW and WA.
  • Cheerleading at the time covered hip hop, pom, cheer, group stunt, partner stunt with scholastic division. This shows the link between all star cheer and dance.


AASCF

  • 2009 comps:
  • 23rd - 26th January - Super Summer Cheer Camp (VIC)
  • 5th July Cheer & Dance Showdown, (Vic)
  • 6th September Queensland All Star Cheer & Dance Championship
  • 13th September New South Wales All Star Cheer & Dance Championship
  • 19th & 20th September Dance Victoria Select Troupe Championship & Victorian All Star Cheer & Dance Championship
  • 27th September Western Australia All Star Cheer & Dance Championship
  • 11th October ACT All Star Cheer & Dance Championship
  • 18th October South Australia All Star Cheer & Dance Championship
  • 25th October Tasmanian All Star Cheer & Dance Championship
  • 4th, 5th December Australian All Star Cheer & Dance Championship - Homebush Sports Stadium (NSW)
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20080718180703/http://www.aascf.com.au/index.php?componentName=Section&scid=32796
  • 18 November 2009 - AASCF Australian Championships obtain a 2 page coverage in the Age newspaper. https://web.archive.org/web/20120320123600/http://www.aascf.com.au/news
  • Quote highlights that shed light into cheerleading in Australia at the time include:
  • "AASCF is also a member of the International All Star Federation, which means it accredits coaches to world standards and can nominate teams to represent Australia at the annual IASF Worlds championship. "We have sent three representative cheerleading teams and two representative dance teams so far over the past four years and have managed to rank Australia in the top 10 every time," Sims says."
  • "only about 10 per cent of Australian participants are male, and most get involved at university."
  • "In Australia, cheer is marketed as a family-friendly sport; the youngest participants are in the Tiny (aged three to five) and Mini (aged eight and under) categories. Their routines are adorably shambolic; the crowd goes wild. Still, it's disconcerting to see little girls gyrating in midriff-baring outfits. Some squads wear high-waisted skirts and turtle-necked bodysuits under their tops, or expose skin in strategic shoulder cut-outs. However, Evolution of Dance from NSW's Hunter Valley are dressed like motorsport grid girls in fluoro crop-tops and tiny, low-riding skirts that barely cover their bloomers. Judges can deduct points for lewd or suggestive routines, but the AASCF leaves decisions about appropriate uniforms to coaches. "We offer firm guidance, but realise it's a display sport and what the athletes wear can add to the glamour and excitement," Sims says. She argues that cheerleaders' outfits are streamlined for agility, likening them to those of gymnasts or triathletes: "There is never any mention made of this not being family-friendly or age-appropriate, and cheerleaders' uniforms cover much more than both." "


2010:

Gymnastics Australia annual report 2010 infohttps://staff.gymnastics.org.au/images/national/About_Us/Annual_reports/2010_Annual_Report.pdf

  • In 2010, GA launched a review of Cheerleading; the review will analyse governance, delivery and growth challenges with a view to developing a revised model which best caters for the growth and development of cheerleading in Australia. This is a major project and will be completed in late 2011.
  • Nerine Cooper stepped down from cheerleading program manager in October to pursue further endeavours in the cheerleading space (Nerine is the founder and director of event series Aussie Gold since 2008, and owner of TLC SpiritWear, a leading Australian uniform company, to this day, was a founding member of ACSA). Nerine was replaced by Kelly Marshall as cheerleading program manager.
  • Annual National Touring Camp held in January, under USA Jam Camps instructors.
  • Air Born Cheerleading and KLD X-treme entered using their

bids gained at AUS Cheer Nationals 2009 and competed extremely well with Air Born placing 8th at the ICU Worlds and 12th in the ISAF Worlds in Pom and making Finals for Hip Hop. KLD X-treme All Stars Level 5 Junior All Girl placed 7th at the IASF Worlds. The IASF also awards the top 5 countries in the IASF Nations Cup Championships. KLD X-Treme Superstars ranked 3rd.

  • AUSCheer ran 27 events as part of the Nations Cup series. included international event on Gold Coast, attended by Kansas State University Coach, Dani Ruoff, and her team. This event was followed by a camp featuring coaches Dani Ruoff (cheer) and Stacey Umeh (dance).
  • The Australian Grand Cheerleading Championship in Melbourne saw 1,101 competitors (which was a 25% increase from the previous year) in cheer, dance, stunt and tumble across two days of competition.
  • MLC All Stars Level 3 Senior Team Victoria won Nations Cup for cheer with 5280 points.
  • Australian Grand Champs guest judge was Kelvin Lam from Red Pill Cheerleading, conducting workshops after the event. Kelvin holds national title with university of Hawaii in partner stunt.
  • National Championships awarded bids for Cheer and Dance Worlds - Starlets Cheerleading and Star-Mites Gymsports for cheer and Air Born Cheerleading and Vision Dance Studios for dance.


2011:

Gymnastics Australia Annual Report Info 2011 https://sa.gymnastics.org.au/images/national/About_Us/Annual_reports/2011_GA_AnnualReport.pdf

  • Year of uncertainty under Gymnastics Australia
  • Kelly Marshall stepped down from cheerleading program manager in June
  • Cheerleading National championships held in Sydney in September over two days, with approximately 1200 athletes competing. MLC All Stars Level 3 Senior Team won Nations Cup. * Bids awarded for 2012 Cheerleading Worlds at Nationals, being given to Starlites in cheer, Air Born Cheerleading in dance
  • GA maintained a scaled back operational plan for AUS Cheer delivery in 2011, directing resources for the Cheerleading Review and developing solutions for 2012.
  • 20 cheerleaders and 17 support crew travelled from Southern All Stars Cheer & Dance in Hobart to Hawaii to compete at the 2011 Aloha International Spirit Championships. Only Aussie team in this event. Recieved sportsmanship award that would then go on to be presented at all future Aloha Spirit championships called the Aussie Spirit Award.
  • Starmites and Perth Angels competed at COA Cheer & Dance Competition in the US and IASF Cheerleading Worlds competition.
  • Cheerleaders showcased on Australia's Got Talent - Fit 2 Cheer & Star Mites Gymsports & KLD Xtreme


AASCF notes:


2012:

https://web.archive.org/web/20121123001647/http://www.gymqld.org.au/default.asp?Page=17380&MenuID=Gymsports/20951/0


AASCF Information:


2013:

Gymnastics Australia 2013 annual report infohttps://sa.gymnastics.org.au/images/national/About_Us/Annual_reports/34816_GA_Annual_Report_2014_revised_2.pdf

  • Goal to "re-establish the Australian Cheerleading Union as the peak body for cheerleading in Australia" - given 2012 described in report as "uncertain", what happened?
    • "In September 2012 a trilateral agreement

was finalised between the FIG, International Cheerleading Union (ICU) and SportAccord. The signing of this historical agreement finalised the terms and conditions under which the FIG would support the admission of the ICU into SportAccord. The agreement outlined that any National Federation affiliated with the FIG that was recognised by their National Olympic Committee (NOC) as the relevant Sports Authority for Cheerleading would become the member of the ICU representing their respective country. Subsequent to this Gymnastics Australia was formally recognised as the governing body for Cheerleading in Australia by the ICU. The governing body is responsible for the selection of the Australian Team to compete at the annual ICU Cheer and Dance World Championships. In 2012 a selection committee consisting of Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation (AASCF), Aussie Gold and World Cup Cheerleading (WCC) along with Gymnastics Australia selected the Australian representatives for the 2013 ICU Cheer and Dance World Championships. The Team Australia performance at the 2013 ICU Cheer and Dance World Championships was impressive with the team bringing home three Silver and one Bronze medal. In 2014 Gymnastics Australia will engage an independent person to start the consultation process with the Cheerleading community regarding the best structure for the sport into the future."

AASCF info


2014:

Gymnastics Australia annual report info: https://sa.gymnastics.org.au/images/national/2014GA_Annual_Report_Artwork_final_proof.pdf

  • Goal to develop a national cheerleading strategic plan, based on commissioned independent person to start consultation process with cheer community regarding best structure into future. "A climate survey of cheerleading in Australia was conducted and a report prepared outlining recommendations based on the findings and discussions from the climate survey. The climate survey highlighted the governance issues currently in the cheerleading community along with each stakeholder’s belief and/or understanding of the future role that GA/ACU should have in cheerleading.

The GA Board will consider the structure and function of the governing body for cheerleading in Australia in early 2015."


AASCF notes:

  • comp dates - Winterfest, battle, states and nationals
  • coach conference in January, inviting intermediate and advanced athletes and coaches of all levels. hosted by James Speech (owner of GymTyme AllStars) and Shannon Smith (owner of Carolina Allstars).
  • held super summer cheer camp in gold coast, newscastle, sydney, canberra and melbourne.


2015:

Gymnastics Australia 2015 annual report info

https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/94a447be-f11e-458f-8588-a7cd1dfff357.pdf

  • Goal to implement a national cheerleading policy under enhance key stakeholder relationships: "Gymnastics Australia staff are currently working closely with a project team from the ASC on further developing the Cheerleading business case to assist the Gymnastics Australia Board in making an informed decision of how it will develop Cheerleading as a product and a sport within Australia. The ASC project team are essentially analysing and reviewing the Gymnastics Australia Business Plan for Cheerleading to provide detailed advice on; if the plan is sustainable for Gymnastics Australia, and if so how the plan can be further strengthened to provide the Gymnastics Australia Board with enough information to make an investment decision." Project deliverables were a clear understanding of viability for business case, viable case to be built upon into an in depth business case to provide a clear investment profile, with enough information to engage and further progress the investment. Need to test assumptions and financials in business plan through market research. Further rigour required around understanding demand for registration, price sensitivty and benefits members seek from ACU to understand size and value of market and consumer driven value proposition to take to market.

> leads to an understanding that at this stage, people are pulling out of GA led cheerleading, with a shift towards AASCF and unrest in the community.

  • Gymnastics Australia took Team Australia athletes, coaches and officials to represent ACU at 2015 ICU worlds, supported by appointed team mamanger Nerine Cooper.


2016:

  • Petition started by "Australia Cheer and Dance - All Star" on change.org, stating "We, the representatives of Cheer & Cheer Dance in Australia, wish to advise that we do not have confidence in Gymnastics Australia (GA) and believe they are not the best representatives for Cheer & Dance in Australia Our belief stems from Gymnastics Australia failing to fulfil their responsibility of the three basic objectives required by an impartial governing body: 1. To help to grow and develop interest and participation in cheer throughout Australia 2. To promote safety and safety education for cheer in Australia 3. To represent Australia in international cheer competitions We feel that Gymnastics Australia lacks basic knowledge about cheerleading; and in failing to understand the fundamentals of our sport, fails to encourage growth. We also feel that GA lack the connections required to secure appropriate assistance to support teams for international competition. As such, we the undersigned, respectfully request that Gymnastics Australia step down as Australia’s cheerleading & cheer dance governing body so that we may form & appoint a peak body made up of true stakeholders & representatives who understand our sport. Furthermore, we request that GA forgo their recognition as the Australian member of the International Cheer Union (ICU) so that we can move forward with true international representation at ICU World Championships, and other national and international events." Started by AASCF? - comments/reasons for signing allude to this.
  • Update notes on petition note that GA stepped down in 2018


Gymnastics Australia 2016 annual report info

https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/63359de3-ec6e-4aaf-a46f-c304f1c1439e.pdf

  • GA recognised as peak body for cheerleading by Australian Sports Commission and International Cheer Union


AASCF info


2017:

Gymnastics Australia 2017 annual report

https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/0e316ae1-c212-4309-9d16-be870ebd0947.pdf

  • First time this gymsport has its own page in several years
  • Australian Cheerleading Union managed by Gymnastics Australia continues to be recognised governing body by both ICU and Australian Sports Commission - note is this them trying to regain control and assert dominance?
  • "Gymnastics Australia commissioned Suiko Consulting to review Cheerleading in Australia. A working group was formed consisting of two Gymnastics Australia Board members, two state CEOs, and Gymnastics Australia staff in order to provide recommendations to the Gymnastics Australia Board. A report was compiled, and the Working Group received the document in November, and it was discussed at the December Board meeting. Gymnastics Australia, on behalf of the ACU, thanks the supporters of Cheerleading in Australia for continuing to grow the sport, both under the auspices of the national governing body and within the wider community. "
  • 105 clubs registered with 59 registered coaches and 1238 athlete registrations - note that the numbers at this point are much larger in Australia in total, reflecting a shift away from Gymnastics Australia despite it being the official governing body at this time


AASCF & ACSA related discussion


2018:


Gymnastics Australia annual report 2018

https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/70623e57-bf2d-42f8-a70f-6a0f16d7a818.pdf

  • In January 2018, Gymnastics Australia announced to Sport Australia, ICU and cheer community they had made the decision that as of end of 2018 GA through ACU would no longer be national federation.
  • Throughout 2018, GA completed wrap up operations, reviewing all policies and procedures and preparing comprehensive operations manual and handover procedures document for new national federation once endorsed by ICU, completed by December 16 which was official registation date.
  • In April, GA sent over ICU Team Aus reps in hip hop doubles, pom doubles, team cheer hip hop, coed elite and team pom.
  • In 2019 Gymnastics Australia will recognise cheerleading as an affiliated sport for multi-gymsport clubs under gymnastics for all banner and will continue to work with new national federation to ensure operations and smoothly transitioned.


AASCF related news

  • 4 April 2018 - ABN 28 125 837 452, registered to entity Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation Pty Ltd registers business name "Cheer Brandz". This business name registration lasts until 23 September 2021.
  • CheerBrandz remains actively a rival competition within the space, being a New Zealand competition provider who expanded into Australia. They began in 2013, offering competitions 4 competitions in New Zealand as well as the "Australiasian Majors" in October 2013 in Brisbane. They continue to run events today in Australia. https://web.archive.org/web/20130824141227/https://cheerbrandz.com/competitions
  • Big write up on competitions section of website about how they are a founding member of ACSA, and have adopted ACSA standard.

https://web.archive.org/web/20180904060410/https://www.aascf.com.au/competitions.html

  • Held Winterfest (mid-June to early July, NSW, QLD, Vic & SA), Battle (August), States (September), Spring carnival (October), nationals & pinnacle (November).


ACSA related news

  • January 17, 2018 - ACSA confirms applying to ICU to be recognised body for cheerleading in Australia, tabled at the ICU General Meeting in 2018. This was unsuccessful. https://www.facebook.com/acsaallstar/posts/pfbid0zDpj2cXJdnsXNCo92kU3qZkifTmSnMbRy3YQ1LjxX1CTj6jvDZNePx9FSnegqx1al?__cft__[0]=AZUTbUxHpxN7fW5c7SCBpz3C16dE-5ITH46Zn96CaE5ngX32XiN66RmK0ehFQ5SPJ0mf_McPv24Hv5SdFioIa_ZZis52A44NhFtNvuyi68boe4Y8-Pvuc4MvHkfH5G57Y7cLnLuP9pPcqWoIWeaH1WG6r9GOrKH2phr4zJXR80n6Og&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
  • December 11, 2018 - released statement clarifying role they sought to occupy within community and objectives. Stated that ACSA was formed as a "true NSO" for sport, born from meetings with Gymnastics Australia in which GA CEO confirmed they had not been able to secure assistance of cheer/dance community to move forward with ACU managing sport in 2016. When ACSA was formed, resulting constitution was as a peak body, as GA were already recognised NSO, with goal of working with ICU to support team Australia and achieve governing body recognition some time after that. Since GA resignation, ACSA in talks to move from peak body to NSO, in disagreement with ICU model. Have been in talks with Sports Australia SINCE THIS POINT.

https://web.archive.org/web/20200224233738/https://australiancheersportalliance.com.au/news/acsa-role

  • December 21, 2018 - released statement regarding governance in cheer. Announced disagreement with ICU regarding federated vs unitary model.

https://web.archive.org/web/20200224233743/https://australiancheersportalliance.com.au/news/establishing-a-new-nso


2019

AASCF

  • Running "AASCF buddy against bullying" campaign for inclusivity and anti-bullying within the sport. Emulating the 2019 USASF bullying guidelines, listed as a resource.

https://web.archive.org/web/20190227223917/https://www.aascf.com.au/aascf_buddy_against_bullying.html

  • "AASCF is a Founding Member of the AUSTRALIAN CHEER SPORT ALLIANCE (ACSA) -The Peak Body for Australian Cheer & Dance

AASCF has formally adopted the ACSA Cheer & Dance Event Sanctioning Standards for all our competitions. When programs attend ACSA Sanctioned Events, they can be assured that their athletes, coaches and parents are attending events that comply with the sport’s best safety practices. To ensure the continued safety and legitimacy of our sport, please check to make sure your athletes are only attending ACSA Sanctioned Events." https://web.archive.org/web/20190227224117/https://www.aascf.com.au/competitions.html

  • Held range of competitions: https://web.archive.org/web/20190227224117/https://www.aascf.com.au/competitions.html
  • Winterfest - mid June to July weekends, held in NSW/ACT, Qld, Vic and SA.
  • All Star Battle - late July to mid August weekends in NSW/ACT, Qld and Vic
  • States - September weekends - NSW/ACT, Qld, Vic, SA, WA
  • Unisport nationals - 2 October, gold coast
  • Spring carnival - mid to late october weekends, NSW/ACT, Qld, NSW
  • Nationals - 29th November to 1 December, Melbourne
  • Pinnacle - 2nd December, Melbourne - chosen invite only


ACSA

  • ACSA educating and credentialing coaches. https://www.facebook.com/acsaallstar/posts/pfbid02ziSFHj1CH1FhDUJPkvRyGiY18pyYDtv1KnyQ3NWvYNHwtGe6XzvZaAun8Lj7DJpil?__cft__[0]=AZUjiyw1GN5eggO4UFSlGu8F90lmhmEKfJ8L1dUTwM8yibdTBo9NAyIGG3acRjiwNQ3-eUD6r72x3Ltvh59RAiYU9eeshbKBo1Jk-FmgEu86yTQcZz8lC62g8tLtS-mClH1ag9dHt7kGDXmJ0skEZqUoBNCa8LndovUuveg3r9RuAkVp4oEjl9ssyHDfbupv_mI&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
  • Held a NSO and constitution development webinar, working to emulate USASF in being peak body for industry's all star commerical interest. this means that the interest of the athlete is not at the forefront, which is an issue with USASF currently that we are seeing play out in 2023.

https://web.archive.org/web/20200224233748/https://australiancheersportalliance.com.au/news/acsa-nso-constitution-development


Australian Cheer Union

  • ACU was established as its own independent not-for-profit organisation in 2019. https://www.australiancheerunion.org/about-us
  • In May 2019 the International Cheer Union established the Australian Cheer Union (ACU) through creation of an Interim Board and appointment of Interim State Members to drive establishment of a National Federation.
  • Conduct an Annual General Meeting on 19 December 2019 and formal election of four (4) Directors to replace the Interim Board

2020:

"As Cheer star Morgan Simianer says: "Whoever thought of chucking someone into the air and seeing how many times they can flip, that person is psychotic, yet I'm the crazy person who does it." However, Ms James says the injury rate for college cheer in the US has dropped dramatically in recent years, and in Australia the sport is considered extremely safe as it operates under different and strict safety guidelines. "We only have educated, credentialled coaches in professional gyms in Australia," she says. "Injuries for Australian cheerleaders are few and far between and not catastrophic.""

  • Covid impact of cancellations of competitions across industry
  • ACSA reopening guidelines provided
  • Stephen James stepping down from ACSA this year


ACU

  • Released strategic plan 2020 - 2023 - https://web.archive.org/web/20230502112709/https://www.australiancheerunion.org/_files/ugd/eff273_444ff16c800f464a8a9964c3a340ac64.pdf
  • Mission to lead promote, grow and champion cheerleading in Australia with a focus on healthy and inclusive competition, supporting the growth and development of participants and exercising best practice governance and administration
  • Key strategic imperatives to achieve recognition as NSO, develop and activate state boards and operational policies, confirm and market membership benefits and activate membership recruitment, recruit CEO to lead and manage day to day admin operations, establish partnerships with commercial entities to secure sponsorships and support financial sustainability and growth
  • goals to build awareness of cheerleading in general population, create infrastructure and support system to grow membership, define and support all disciplines of cheerleading and ensure participation in all international and high performance athletic events

AJay9509 (talk) 11:22, 7 May 2023 (UTC)[reply]

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