Flash ad ID: 12

Monthly Archives: November 2014

Star Power: Bringing Cheerlebrities To Your Gym

Down to Business/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive2

Star Power: Bringing Cheerlebrities To Your Gym

, , , ,

When Shiela Hajjar Perry, owner of Saucier, MS-based Cheer Zone Athletics, saw an opportunity to bring cheerlebrities Gabi Butler (California All Stars) and Kiara Nowlin (Baylor University) into her gym, she jumped at it. “Gabi posted on social media that they were going through Interstate 10 and hosting some clinics,” she says. “One of our kids tagged me in the post and said we should get them to come. I thought it sounded like a great idea.

Her instincts were right—the clinic ended up being a fantastic revenue booster for the gym, and a great PR tactic.

Starting a Big Sibling Program

Mind, Body & Soul/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive1

Starting a Big Sibling Program

, , , ,

Between long practices and mounting anticipation, the months leading up to a big competition can often be riddled with stress—especially for younger athletes who are new to the sport. That’s a big part of the reason Cody Woodfell decided to introduce a “Big Sister” program at his Sunrise, FL-based gym, Cheer Factory. “The payoff is so late in the season, and the older girls really help the younger ones through that,” said Woodfell, who pairs more seasoned senior athletes with Level 1 newbies. “It’s all about encouragement and camaraderie, and [the program] works really well.”

Spotlight: A.S.G.A.

In the Industry/ Two Sides/ Web Exclusives

Spotlight: A.S.G.A.

, ,

Talk about power in numbers—when the All-Star Gym Owners Association (ASGA) speaks, people listen. Whether it’s getting an event producer to reconsider its stance on stay-to-play, tracking down answers and assistance from a MIA vendor or righting an industry wrong, the ASGA is able to exert influence via its ever-growing Facebook group 3,000+ members strong.

Athlete Poaching: Should You Be Worried?

Down to Business/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive1

Athlete Poaching: Should You Be Worried?

, ,

“If you switch to our gym, we’ll make you a flyer.”

“If you switch to our gym, we’ll give you free tuition.”

If these promises sound familiar, you’re not alone—many gym owners have lost athletes to other gyms practicing questionable recruiting techniques. Some people will say anything to convince an athlete to switch to their program, and the offers can be hard to resist. Though healthy competition among businesses is normal, the desire to attract new athletes by any means possible can sometimes cross the line into inappropriate behavior.r

Candid Coach: Jon Rolle

In the Industry/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive2

Candid Coach: Jon Rolle

, ,

For Forestville, MD-based gym Crimson Heat, “spirit” has more meanings than one. The faith-based gym builds both moral foundation and athleticism, with Jon Rolle acting as both Travel Cheer Program Director and head coach of its Worlds team. Calling on more than 15 years of experience, Rolle has taken Crimson Heat to Worlds for the past four years—reaching a peak of ninth place in 2012. Recognizing the spirited approach Rolle embodies as a coach and encourages in his athletes, Rolle was nominated by USASF for 2014 Coach of the Year.

Hot Topic: Stay-to-Play

In the Industry/ Two Sides/ Web Exclusives

Hot Topic: Stay-to-Play

, ,

Ever since The Aloha International Spirit Championships in Honolulu began requiring stay-to-play in 2005, event producers have been following suit. As more competition companies start to shift their policies toward stay-to-play, the industry has reached a heated crossroads. Gym owners are fighting for the right to reserve their own hotel rooms, while event producers maintain that it’s necessary that they require programs to book room blocks at designated hotels. As the new season takes shape, the question remains: how exactly will this growing practice affect the world of all-star cheer?