A coach’s purpose and core values serve as a window into their coaching soul- it is the essence and embodiment of who we are as coaches and why we coach (Gilbert 2017). Most coaches recognize that their coaching purpose is a calling. It is a true honor to motivate, lead, train, and discipline the next generation of athletes. The immense responsibility that coaches have to foster and promote youth development is worthwhile and fulfilling. Creating a culture that prioritizes academic achievement, responsibility, and discipline has created a cheerleading program with student athletes who are scholars, communicators, and compassionate leaders, demonstrating excellence in their youth and into adulthood.

Our program’s philosophy is that every athlete will have responsibility to a specific role that contributes to the program’s success and effectiveness. Coaches ensure that unity and mutual respect is prioritized and that athlete’s feel valued and supported through their high school career. Athletes are frequently reminded that they are students first, and athletes second.

Our program supports and encourages our cheerleaders to maintain high academic standards, understanding that the achievements in the classroom are just as important as their performance on the competition mat. Through frequent conferences and tutoring sessions, each athlete maintains academic success and achievement. Athletes know exactly what is expected of them and the coach clearly communicates expectations. Clear communication is reciprocated by athletes as they develop character traits of honesty, transparency, and professionalism. As athletes learn and embrace these core values, our cheerleading program aims to create a nurturing space where athletes can demonstrate growth academically and athletically while developing the skills and character to excel through adulthood. Holistic sport development has a positive impact on athletes which enhances their overall experience as a high school athlete while also laying a foundation of positive outcomes for their future.

After four years of participating in the Northside Cheerleading program, athletes are expected to have evolved as academic scholars. Academic achievement requirements have been set forth by the cheerleading program’s constitution which states, athletes must maintain a 3.0 GPA and honor roll. Cheerleaders participate in quarterly progress report reviews and engage in conversations about their academic progress and standing with coaches and teachers. Our program believes that coaches should serve as academic mentors since they work within academic domains. Coaches understand academic requirements and student goals, so they can provide guidance, encouragement, and accountability without intervening and encroaching on the athlete’s development of independence (Christensen et al., 2021). Cheerleaders will prioritize their academic studies and work hard in the classroom. When an athlete is unable to maintain honor roll, they will complete tutoring sessions and student-teacher conferences in an effort to increase their academic standing. This provides character traits of independence, grit, and determination. The projected outcome for athletes is that all members of the program will graduate with honors and receive the HOPE scholarship award for college tuition at a Georgia institution. We believe academic success has crucial, positive future implications. These benefits include psychosocial and financial well-being (Christensen et al., 2021). Our athletes are expected to be prepared for higher education, employment, financial independence, and leadership opportunities.

            Our cheerleading program also seeks to improve communication boundaries, so athletes may become skilled communicators. Athletes are required to maintain proper, formal communication with captains and coaches. This behavior encourages positive relationships, transparency, and honesty. Athletes are also required to limit and refrain from social media and cell phone usage during all events, games, and competitions. This requirement ensures that athletes communicate and build relationships with teammates prior to performing with one another. Social media has been known to provide athletes with additional stress, sport anxiety exasperated by social media, and concentration distraction which may negatively impact performance preparation (Hayes et al., 2021). Developing habits of limited social media and cell phone usage requires athletes to engage in conversation and have heightened situational awareness. It is expected that athletes will begin to reflect on their own practices and implement their own communication boundaries to alleviate the potential for distraction through adulthood (Hayes et al., 2021). Instilling communication skills through communication boundaries and limited social media usage will ensure athletes are prepared in adulthood for setting healthy technology boundaries and clear discourse.

Athletes are expected to have improved their physicality and cheerleading skills to make them eligible for collegiate cheerleading, other athletic programs of their choosing, or a foundation of health and wellbeing to sustain them through adulthood. Participating in the cheerleading program for any number of years will provide athletes with training and knowledge related to their personal health, fitness, and nutrition. Cheerleaders will participate in yoga, interval training, weight lifting, and cardio. The cheerleading booster club provides nutritious, balanced meals for athletes and coaches at games and competitions. It is our hope that athletes will continue maintaining their health and fitness through adulthood. A strong foundation of physical conditioning and nutritional knowledge will reduce fatigue and injuries in the athlete’s future. Participating in the cheerleading program will provide athletes with a supportive environment that encourages balanced and sustainable lifestyle choices. Many athletes will have the option to participate in collegiate sports, including cheerleading, which enhances their college experience and continues their athletic training at the next level.