Cheerleading is approved as a CIF sport

London Foster

Staff Writer

   Cheerleading is over 100 years old and and there are at least 4 million cheerleaders in 31 countries yet it has never been recognized as a CIF sport until now.

   California Governor Jerry Brown signed the Assembly Bill (AB) 949 introduced by Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez on Jan. 27 that will categorize cheerleading as a competitive CIF sport. Rules and guidelines that allow the competitive cheer to have opportunities to show their athletic abilities in a safe environment are still needed to be implemented.

   “CIF affirms that athletic competition is an important part of the high school experience and that participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege,” CIF’s website states.

   CIF was created in 1914 and it controls high school sports. It’s the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. After being promoted by CIF, cheerleading is now able to compete just like other sports.

   “There was a legislature from San Diego who was a former high school and collegiate cheerleader, who in her experience never felt that cheerleading was given its proper respect,” CIF-SS Commissioner Rob Wigod said.

   Due to the recent signing of the bill, some of the legislation has not been established yet, including what season cheer will be. Currently, cheer is a year long sport but with the CIF ruling, cheerleaders will have to choose between the fall football season and the winter basketball season.

    “I think it’ll affect Costa teams in a positive way,” senior cheer captain Kylie Newell said. “I think it will help keep the athletes’ enthusiasm and drive up.”

   According to the Advisory Commitee, CIF aims to create rules as well as foster student growth in values and ethics. Instead of having a single state-wide championship for all sports, each section of CIF has their own championships.

   “Our hard work and effort is finally being recognized,” JV cheerleader Naomi Collicutt said. “People I don’t think realize we practice everyday for two hours and then go cheer at games, so we put in as much effort as everyone else in a sport.”

   Beach volleyball and dance are still awaiting to advance to competitive CIF. In order for any sport to get on the list for CIF sports, the school’s administration must take initiation.

   “I think it’s great that competitive cheer is getting recognized for being a sport,” Newell said. “I think it will help the team stay motivated during competition season knowing that we’re held at a higher standard.”