Cheerleading Accidents Flying Under The Radar

   "There is a zero system for holding anyone accountable," said Kimberly Archie, the executive director of the California-based National Cheer Safety Foundation. "It's a self-governed, $2 billion industry with no regulations for a child's welfare. In football you can say X number of people died. Well, in cheerleading, it's hard to find any numbers at all because nobody has to report anything." Reported by the Dallas News. In Texas cheerleading is not considered a sport therefore it is not overseen by the University Interscholastic League. Safety regulations are ultimately up to the individual coordinator. In many cases it seems as though the athletes know more about the sport than the sponsors or coaches. I can vouch for that. Rule book and regulations are a great idea except they are rarely enforced unless the team is competing. Varsity the parent company of National Cheerleading Association and Universal Cheerleading Association which host multiple cheer camps over the summer throughout the country. Camps are a great idea they give squads the opportunity to bond, learn new stunts, practice techniques, most importantly teach participants and coaches safety techniques. Texas is not required to follow certifications put in place in other cities or states.