How Cheerleading Became So Acrobatic, Dangerous and Popular

AI summary of the NY Times article by David Gauvey Herbert.

Published Oct 22, 2024

… the rise of competitive cheerleading in the United States and the dominance of a single company, Varsity Spirit, in the industry.

It highlights the story of Nikki Jennings, a talented young cheerleader who suffered numerous injuries and abuse during her cheer career, including concussions, hamstring injuries, and emotional abuse from her coach.

The article also delves into the history of cheerleading, tracing its origins from military chants to the modern, acrobatic sport it has become.

It examines how Jeff Webb, the founder of Varsity Spirit, has shaped the sport through his innovations and desire for control, leading to allegations of monopolistic practices and negative impacts on participants and their families.

The article also touches on the recent $4.75 billion sale of Varsity Spirit to the private equity firm KKR, raising questions about the future of the sport and the company’s grip on it.

Read the original article (subscription required).

How Cheerleading Became So Acrobatic, Dangerous and Popular

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Coaching for Performance in Life and in Sport

Coaching Association of Canada is circulating a “toolkit” for coaches who want to improve the success rate for their athletes.

It’s based on the dissertation of Erin Willson, PhD.

The full document is linked at the bottom of this post.

AI summary of the PDF:

The document provides a toolkit for coaches to create positive sport environments that foster both performance success and athlete well-being.

It outlines four key attributes of a positive sport environment: characteristics of the athlete, characteristics of the coach, characteristics of the coach-athlete relationship, and characteristics of the training environment.

The toolkit encourages coaches to expand their definition of success beyond just medal performance to include personal development, well-being, enjoyment, and a desire to stay in sport.

It provides guidance on assessing readiness for change, implementing positive coaching strategies like being empowering, healthy, and maintaining respectful coach-athlete relationships.

The toolkit also includes resources like checklists and planning guides to help coaches integrate these strategies.

Simone Biles Rising

This 4 part documentary on Netflix is extremely good.

It was fun reliving Paris.

Good editing. They got the Gymnastics right. Yet didn’t overwhelm the general public with too much technical jargon.

All gymnasts should see it if only to know that EVEN Simone Biles gets nervous at age-27. It’s normal.

Laurie Hernandez is the best colour commentator.

I was impressed with Joscelyn, too. So charismatic and well spoken.

Simone’s Mom is charming. I’m not surprised she got so much screen time.

I did NOT enjoy reliving Simone’s (possible) calf injury in Paris. … Whew.

Imagine the storyline if she had withdrawn before Vault in qualifications.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

GymCastic has a comprehensive review.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

NEW book – Parenting a Gymnast

Parenting a Gymnast: A guide for parents to support the dreams and realities of their young athletes “A million and one national anthems”

Navigating a young athlete’s career is a task that can be daunting for parents, regardless of their own experience in competitive sports.

That process is also a task that author Julie Fabsik-Swarts has comprehensively undertaken in Parenting a Gymnast, her recently published book.

With over 40 years of experience as a gymnast, coach, judge, official and executive, Fabsik- Swarts explores the various aspects of competitive gymnastics, offering tips, insights and analyses on topics ranging from choosing the right club to injury maintenance to misperceptions about judging to collegiate recruitment. …

Author Julie Fabsik-Swarts on ‘Parenting a Gymnast’: ‘I aimed to be transparent while offering solutions and a balanced perspective’

Written by John Crumlish for International Gymnast Online

Parents: “I love to watch you play.”

A video from True Sport shows how terrible it can be for some kids who play sport on the ride home after a game or practice. It’s part of a new campaign called, “The Ride Home“.

… a father berates his son for wanting to have fun during a practice. …

The ride home is easy, actually. You just have to remember to say six words:

I love to watch you play.

Active for Life

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Shannon Guay sentenced up to 50 years

A former Michigan gymnastics coach will serve a life sentence for sexually assaulting more than a dozen young girls.

Shannon Guay was sentenced Wednesday for 21 counts of criminal sexual conduct plus one count of kidnapping.

Guay, who went by “Coach Jake” while working in Kent County, was arrested last year while living in Florida. …

The crimes reportedly occurred in the ‘90s and 2000s. The victims were all under 16 at the time.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Safeguarding Policy – Pain, Injury & Illness

British Gymnastics has a number of Safeguarding VIDEOS.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

gymnasts are incredible

This is from the private Cognition Coaching – Conscious Growth Facebook page.

The benefits of training acrobatic sports are incredible. These are super humans.

Super Humans

Diver Matthew Mitcham fights for equality

Matthew Mitcham is the 2008 Olympic champion in the 10m platform, and he is the 2nd highest single-dive score in Olympic history (at the time it was the highest scoring dive ever). This made him the first openly gay athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Sticking the Parenting Landing: A Handbook for Parents of Gymnasts

by Betty Okino Benson (Author), Jacob Okino Benson (Editor), Valorie Kondos Field (Foreword)

I’ve not yet read the NEW book — but I’m certain it’s terrific.

Amazon