It started out as a way to rally behind the new John Paul II football team in its first season, but cheering in the Battlefords has quickly taken on its own identity.
Lesia Rathje, who coached the John Paul II cheer team, is now starting a new team in the Battlefords - Cheer Legacy Athletics.
After witnessing the excitement, popularity and almost immediate success with the JP II team, the idea for a new club in the Battlefords was born. This club is open to anyone 18 and under, male or female, who wants to try the new sport and eventually prepare for competitions. Members of Cheer Legacy Athletics have been out recruiting and educating many in the Battlefords and recently had a booth at the spring fair/trade show to promote the growing sport in the Battlefords.
"If you want to join and grow as a family and do something to get in shape then for sure join cheer leading," said McKenzii Crockett, a captain on the inaugural JP II team and coach with the new club. "It is just one of those things that anyone can do if they put their mind to it. We want more people to join and be a part of this experience with us."
Rathje, the head coach and club owner has a long resume of cheer experience, as she began cheering in Saskatoon in elementary school and has moved up the ranks ever since. Up until 2010 she had been a member and coach with Prairie Fire Cheerleading in Saskatoon and has been to international competitions as well.
"She has so much knowledge on the sport," says Crockett. "She has just made it easy. She has been hard on us at times, but that was because she expects good things from us and she is also fun and a great coach."
Other cheerleaders and their parents have also shared their praise with what Rathje has done with the John Paul II squad and expectations for the new club saying she has taught them discipline, spirit and dedication.
The new cheerleading club will operate year-round under the supervision of Rathje and four other coaches including Crockett. The competition portion of the season is often in April and May, so new members will have a year to prepare and familiarize themselves with the sport, a sport both Crockett and Rathje agree is much more physically challenging than many would assume.
"You have two and a half minutes to give it your best shot," said Crockett. "You are running around and jumping, you're throwing people, you're catching - it is super athletic."
Many hours are put into the training and practising for any cheer club, but through the many hours spent together with the John Paul II team Crockett says everyone became close and friendships were born. She anticipates the same will happen when Cheer Legacy Athletics gets started.
Rathje says depending on which level a person is in when the new club is started, they should expect to practice once during the week and once on weekends. Crockett expects to be cheering with the new club for about five hours a week, coaching five hours and training with the John Paul II squad for two and a half hours.
Anyone interested in joining the evolution of cheerleading in the Battlefords is encouraged to contact Rathje at 481-6606, email [email protected] or find the Cheer Legacy Athletic Cobras on Facebook.
