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Register by April 2 for Golden Eagles Cheerleading

Posted on: February 27, 2019

Cheerleading is a fun physical activity that can be just as intense as any other sport. It involves tumbling, stunting, and jumping, along with the performance of dance and cheer routines. The Glen Ellyn Park District offers a cheer program for boys and girls in grades 2 through 8. Squads will cheer on the sidelines and at halftime for the Golden Eagles Tackle and Flag Football teams and will participate in local area cheer competitions throughout the season (July through early December). The deadline to register is April 2, 2019.

“Cheerleading is the ultimate team sport,” said Christine Hartnett, Recreation Supervisor for the Glen Ellyn Park District. “All participants need to work together to perform their stunts and routines during games and competitions, so the athletes really learn to work together to accomplish their goals. The competition routines also require a lot of strength and stamina, so the cheer practices are a great workout.”

Cheerleading offers participants a multitude of benefits. In addition to physical fitness and endurance, cheerleaders gain strength, coordination, and flexibility, and develop discipline, motor memory skills, and self-confidence. Cheerleading is fun, and the upbeat cheers and big smiles promote a positive mood.

“Participating in cheer is also a great way to make friends in each school in Glen Ellyn,” added Hartnett. “Each squad member has to work so closely with their teammates to perform their routines that the athletes naturally bond through their hard work. The Golden Eagles Cheer program also offers a leadership program for anyone on the Junior High squad to act as a Junior Coach for the younger squads. This helps build a sense of unity in the program and gives the older returning athletes a chance to share their talents with the younger groups.”

Squads vary in size and by age, depending on the registration results. “Typically, we’ll have teams of 12-18, but we’ve had as many as 25 on a squad,” said Hartnett. “I think our program is popular because cheerleading combines dance with gymnastics and requires the kids to work hard with their friends, so there’s definitely a social component. The squads also enjoy competing in area competitions to show family, friends, and other teams how hard they’ve worked to perfect their routines.”

Each squad cheers at games throughout the football season and competes in the IRCA (Illinois Recreational Cheer Association) sanctioned competitions. No prior experience is necessary. Please note that attendance at practices and events is mandatory, as cheer is not a sport that allows for substitutions of positions.

To learn more about the program and register, please click here.