Plenty Sport : EZINE ISSUE 12 - THE Sport of CHEER | Page 3

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ISSUE № 12, May 2015

Plenty to “Cheer” about !
athletic and competitive in nature with over
80% of public schools in the U.S. have cheerleading teams. Today Cheerleading is currently established in 79 countries and organized cheerleading is very much demanded
for in competitions and exhibitions. Through
the NFL the Indianapolis Colts were the first
team to host a professional cheer squad and
started with revealing outfits and over-theCrowds have been cheering since the advent

top routines. However with the existence of

of sports, but when most people hear the

the International Cheer Union (ICU), the in-

word cheerleading, they think of girls in

corporating of intricate stunts and difficult

short skirts. But in fact, the sport was started

tumbling into routines have helped the

by men, for men when groups of males led

sport gain recognition and respect by other

the crowd at football and basketball games.

athletes and spectators alike. In T&T Cheer

Once women took over, cheerleading began

is administered by the Trinidad and Tobago

to incorporate tumbling, stunting and props;

Cheer Federation, which comprises of over

and members of the squad were usually vot-

30 member teams and approximately 400

ed in by their classmates, which downplayed

athletes. The TTCF is currently working on

the importance of earning one’s spot

the positive advancement of cheerleading

through skill. Today Cheerleading continues

throughout the country, and with this in

to evolve and develop and to become more

mind continues to train and develop their

athletes, coaches and judge. Over the last
few seasons the TTCF has focused on including Primary schools in the sport cheer to
build interest and enthusiasm from the
younger generation. See pg. 4