COVID Closure: Vaughan cheerleading facility seeks permission to start training halted by pandemic

Ontario Cheerleading Federation wants recognition by Sport Canada for 'young, trail-blazing sector'

Yorkregion.com
June 8, 2020
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Part of Ontario’s first phase of its reopening strategy --which includes facilities focused on training amateur and professional athletes -- began operation in mid-May, but not for cheerleading clubs.

Jerry Mauldin, owner and director of Limelight Allstars cheerleading facility in Vaughan, is asking for “permission” to restart the engine for cheerleading  which he says is considered to be a “young, trail-blazing sector that has achieved most of our club expansion over the last 15-20 years.”

Mauldin explained why cheerleading clubs are the exception, despite having “thousands of participants across the country, with Ontario having the second-most registered cheerleaders in the nation.”

“It is a vibrant, exciting, and athletic activity that has overcome traditional stereotypes and is now thriving in our province,” he said.

But as of mid-May, Ontario is “only allowing indoor sport facilities that fall under one of three categories,” the director said.

These categories include national sports funded by Sport Canada or being a member of such an organization, provincial sport or multi-sport organization recognized by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries or being a member of such an organization, or professional sport league, or member club of such a league.

Cheerleading is considered to be a “provisional Olympic sort,” Mauldin said. However, “unfortunately, cheerleading is currently not recognized by Sport Canada or the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries."

“We have initiated the process to gain recognition by our province but need to wait for Cheer Canada (National Sport Organization) to be funded as this is one of the requirements to apply."

Mauldin continued: “This leaves our sport in a grey area where cheerleading is recognized by both the International Olympic Committee and Canadian Olympic Committee, but our National Sport Organization (Cheer Canada) is not yet funded.”

To find a solution, Mauldin is “asking for an exception or permission to simply include indoor sport facilities that are recognized by the Canadian Olympic Committee.”

“This would allow us to start our phased, noncontact guidelines for return to play,” he explained.

So far, the Ontario Cheerleading Federation (OCF), which represents 38 cheer clubs and schools in the province, is working to get the recognition through Sport Canada. After this process is completed and approved, a sport can then begin the process of applying for recognition as a Provincial Sport Organization.

On May 26, OCF sent a letter to Lisa MacLeod, minister of heritage, sport, tourism and culture, asking for “reconsideration.”

Ministry’s response

MacLead’s press secretary Brooke Timpson said, “We’re currently working to support the return of other activities, including cheerleading, in a safe and responsible manner as we reopen the province.”

“Our top priority is the health and safety of all Ontarians,” Timpson added.

“Last month, our government announced that Ontario’s high-performance and professional athletes are able to return to training facilities. They are expected to follow the health and safety guidelines outlined by their governing body, as well as follow public health physical distance protocols, to protect athletes and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”

COVID-19 poses challenge to cheerleading

As cheerleading inches closer to its final recognition as a sport, Mauldin also expressed his concern about how the COVID-19 pandemic is really challenging “continued growth.”

“As an organized athletic activity, we have over 4,000 participants and will be left at significant disadvantage compared to other more traditional sports as we are not allowed to begin phased return to play training.”

So far, more than 12 gold medals have been won by Team Canada Cheer national program.

“For many years, the majority of athletes on these teams have come from our Ontario-grown talent, including coaching staff,” he said. “Ontario cheerleading clubs have earned over 13 podium finishes at World Championship competitions. We are the first country outside the USA to have achieved this type of recognition.”

Mauldin also cited how much children gain when participating in this sport -- it not only boosts their fitness and self-esteem but it’s also an “outlet” for social interactions.

“We are an outlet for fitness, self-esteem, leadership and emotional well-being. Our participants are primarily female, and this means that many young primary school-aged and older girls are being restricted from cheerleading by the Ontario government’s current pandemic guidelines for safe reopening.”