When you think of cheerleading, what’s the first image that comes to mind? I bet you envision an All-American white female athlete performing at a football game, am I right? Let me know in the comments.
People often believe that cheerleading has always been a female-dominated sport, so you may be surprised to learn that it was actually started by a university student named Johnny Campbell.
The story goes
“In 1898, the University of Minnesota’s football team was having a hard time. The games were plagued by bad weather, and the team captain had suffered a mid-season injury. Then, during one game, a student named Johnny Campbell picked up a megaphone and directed the crowd to cheer, “Rah, rah, rah! Ski-u-mah, Hoo-rah! Hoo-rah! Varsity! Varsity! Varsity, Minn-e-so-tah!” The team won its match, and Campbell got a brand-new position: cheerleader.” Theatlantic.com/2018
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Then World War II began, and as men left university for military service, women stepped into the cheerleading roles, forever changing the perception of the sport. There was a major shift, and as sideline cheerleading grew, coaches started creating all-girl teams, erasing the perception that the sport was only for boys. When the sport was male-dominated, it was seen as praiseworthy and commendable. But as sideline cheer became more female-dominated and with the contribution of the male gaze, spectators focused more on women’s physical attractiveness over athleticism, and the male cheerleader disappeared from the sport.
Let’s get back to the question: “Can a guy be a cheerleader?”
Today, cheerleading is still perceived as a female-dominated sport, but in the last 30 years in the UK, there has been an influx of male athletes falling in love with the sport.
This article explores the growing presence of male cheerleaders in modern cheerleading and highlights the invaluable contributions they bring to the sport.
It is important to acknowledge that cheerleading is an inclusive sport that welcomes people of all genders and abilities. There are no restrictions based on age, race, gender or ability. Cheerleading has a division and a team for every individual who wishes to participate.
While historical perceptions may have painted cheerleading as a predominantly female activity, the modern era has witnessed a remarkable transformation. Male athletes have increasingly embraced cheerleading, challenging traditional gender stereotypes and enriching the sport’s diversity
The development of Allstar cheer in the UK provides the opportunity for male athletes to re-enter the sport. Allstar Cheer is where teams compete against each other, and their routines are performed and scored leading up to competing at the Cheerleading Worlds, which is the Olympics of Cheerleading.
In Allstar Cheer, there are different divisions in which your athlete competes, and now there’s a very successful division called Coed, which is a team that must include boys for you to compete.
The creation of the Coed division developed the necessity for the reintroduction of males back into the sport. Coaches were eagerly recruiting boys and men to join their teams.
This has caused a significant transformation in recent years. While traditional gender stereotypes may have once deterred males from participating in the sport, the visibility of these coed teams had a crucial role in normalising the presence of males in the sport.
What are your thoughts on the evolving role of male cheerleaders in modern cheerleading? Share your perspective in the comments below!
The coed division is now flourishing with males working together with their female athletes to execute more complex and visually impressive stunts and tumbling passes, enhancing the overall dynamic of cheerleading routines.
With the explosion of the internet and then social media, the visibility of the male cheerleader has only inspired more boys to join the sport.
Let’s speak to a Male athlete
Sam Oyedeji, What do you love about cheerleading ?
I love the challenges it gives me. I love how it pushes me further out of my comfort zone to try different things, to work harder and make things work. I love the drive it gives me and the motivation to be a better athlete. Most of all, I love performing! I love being on stage with my team and showing what we can do.
In the UK, the visibility of these coed teams had a crucial role in normalizing the presence of males in the sport and have helped to challenge stereotypes and inspire future generations of athletes to pursue their passions without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Teams like Unity Black Allstars, Ascension Eagles Legacy, Coventry Dynamite Ignite, Aviator Allstars Raptor, and Fierce Athletics Wildcats are leading the way.
The rise of male cheerleaders in modern cheerleading reflects a broader cultural shift towards inclusivity and diversity. By embracing athletes of all genders, backgrounds, and abilities, the sport has become more vibrant, dynamic, and inclusive than ever before. Male cheerleaders bring a unique perspective and skill set to the sport, enriching the experience for participants and spectators alike. As we continue to celebrate the achievements of male cheerleaders, let us recognize and appreciate the valuable contributions they make to the world of cheerleading.
Let’s speak to a Male athlete
Sam Tamworth, is now a World silver medallist. There was only him and one other boy on the team when he started but this didn’t put either of them off. They continued coming to training each week and building up understanding and love of the sport.
A few years ago, he then progressed onto Coventry Dynamite, where he was placed on a Worlds team, and has competed at Worlds multiple times with them, and Team England. He competed with Cali Ghost Recon where he became silver medallist
To answer the question: Can a guy be a cheerleader?
Yes, they can! And if you’re looking to find a team, please join our newsletter and contact us here to join this sport that has changed my life.
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Join the conversation about male cheerleading by reading our article featuring male cheerleaders and watching our video interview with the Male Bronze Medal World Champion. Let’s celebrate
Male Cheerleading: The inside scoop
How UK athlete Sam got on to California Allstar and became a Cheerleading World medalist
Reference: Theatlantic.com/2018: How Cheerleading Went from Raucous and Male to Restrictive and Female: Caroline Kitchener Karen Yuan
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