2014-2015 Annual Report

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The Alberta Cheerleading Association (ACA) entered the 2014-2015 year with renewed energy and purpose. Building on the tremendous foundational work done by the previous Board of Directors, 2014-2015 was a year of building new processes and procedures to continue to grow the sport of cheerleading across Alberta. 2014-2015 can be summarized using three words: ACA’s leadership is passionate about developing the sport of cheerleading and promoting participation in Cheerleading for life as an athlete, coach, official, administrator, supporter, or enthusiast. The passion for the sport of cheerleading can be heard and felt from the mat to the boardroom. In 2014-2015, the Board of Directors reflected on how to harness the passion that exists for cheerleading to expand the capacity of ACA to reach all corners of the province. Within its strategic plan, commitment to ACA member experiences was included in the areas of bid processes, judging competencies and scoring systems, and improving the relationships between ACA and school teams and ASAA, and communications. ACA expanded its previous communications systems to pilot webinars and webconferencing, and expanded its use of social media to better reach ACA members. A focus of 2014-2015 was to stabilize many areas of operations to support the growth of the sport. ACA implemented the recommendation of hiring a full-time Executive Director to guide the organization in the formation of sustainable systems and processes for information and events. Alberta Sport Connection’s Going the Distance: The Alberta Sport Plan 2014-2024 has presented an expanded focus for the organization including collaboration in the provincial implementation of Canadian Sport for Life. On behalf of the Board of Director, congratulations to all teams for a great 2014-2015 year! Scott Luck President Alberta Cheerleading Association

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

PASSION COMMITMENT

FOCUS

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In 2014-2015, ACA integrated an operations plan to outline key activities required to achieve the outcomes identified in the strategic plan. This operations plan also considered the directions of the Active Alberta Policy and Going the Distance: The Alberta Sport Plan 2014-2024. At the end of 2014-2015, ACA completed 53 of the 83 key actions identified, with an additional 24 actions being in progress. In most instances, actions were incomplete due to human or financial capacity constraints. Most of the incomplete items will be continued into 2015-2016 for completion.

Area Objectives Status (% Objectives)

Complete In Progress

Not Started

Complete or In Progress

Member Services 11 8 (73%) 3 (27%) - 100%

Coaching 7 5 (71%) 2 (29%) - 100%

Judging 9 9 (100%) - - 100%

Long-Term Athlete Dev’t 4 2 (50%) - 2 (50%) 100%

Events 13 12 (92%) - 1 (8%) 92%

Partnerships 15 8 (53%) 6 (40%) 1 (7%) 93%

Marketing & Sponsorship 6 1 (17%) 3 (50%) 2 (33%) 67%

Operations 7 2 (29%) 5 (71%) - 100%

Finance 9 4 (44%) 5 (56%) - 100%

Board Support 2 2 (100%) - - 100%

Total 83 53 (64%) 24 (29%) 6 (7%) 79 (93%)

OPERATIONS

93% of the actions in the 2014-2015 Operations Plan are complete or in

progress

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In 2014-2015, the Alberta Cheerleading Association had 3,626 registered participants, including 3,316 athletes, 271 coaches, and 39 officials. Numerous athletes and coaches had affiliations with both school and All Star programs. A total of 190 teams were registered in Alberta as Full Members, representing 57 schools (total of 66 teams) and 14 All Star clubs (total of 124 teams). Overall, an increase in registered membership of 15% was observed in 2014-2015.

Membership Comparison: 2014-2015 to 2013-2014 2014-2015 2013-2014 Change

# Female Male Total Female Male Total

Athletes 3188 96%

128 4% 3316 2789

98% 52 2% 2841 +475

+17%

Coaches 245 90%

26 10% 271 241

92% 22 8% 263 +8

+3%

Officials 36 92%

3 8% 39 42

98% 1

2% 43 -4 -9%

Total 3469 157 3626 3072 75 3147 +479 +15%

MEMBERSHIP

4%

96%

Percentage of Male vs. Female Athletes

Males Females

39% 61%

School vs. All Star Athletes

School Athletes All Star Athletes

232 (7.0%)

319 (9.6%)

1823 (55.0%)

487 (14.7%)

38 (1.1%)

26 (0.8%) 250

(7.5%)

141 (4.3%)

Regional Distribution of Athletes

Calgary Central Edmonton

North Central North East North West

South South Central

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3,316 (91.4%)

271 (7.5%)

39 (1.1%)

Distribution of Athletes, Coaches, and Officials

Athletes

Coaches

Officials

Athletes and Coaches by Region

Calgary Central Edmonton North Central NE NW South South

Central

Athletes 232 319 1823 487 38 26 250 141

School Coaches 0 2 98 27 2 0 19 8

All-Star Coaches 21 12 79 11 3 2 12 2

Note: Some coaches coach multiple schools or school and All Star teams.

MEMBERSHIP

7.0% 9.6%

55.0%

14.7%

1.1% 0.8% 7.5% 4.3% 7.0% 4.7%

59.4%

12.8% 1.7%

0.7%

10.4%

3.4%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

Calgary Central Edmonton North Central

North East North West South South Central

Percentage of Athletes and Coaches by Region

Athletes Coaches

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In 2014, Alberta Sport Connection launched Going the Distance: The Alberta Sport Plan 2014-2024. This plan provides a coordinated approach to advancing sport in Alberta. It introduces a framework that sets the direction for all stakeholders that are committed to realizing the positive impacts of sport for individuals and communities across Alberta. The Alberta Sport Plan has been constructed using Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) as its foundation. The principles of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) as presented through Canadian Sport for Life are infused throughout the Alberta Sport Plan. CS4L is a movement to improve the quality of sport and physical activity in Canada. CS4L links sport, education, recreation and health and aligns community, provincial, and national programming. LTAD is a seven-stage training, competition and recovery pathway guiding an individual’s experience in sport and physical activity from infancy through all phases of adulthood. In 2014-2015, ACA took initial steps towards embracing the principles of CS4L. An initial discussion was held with Dr. Vicki Harber of the Canadian Sport for Life leadership team to confirm the relevance and importance of LTAD to the development of cheerleading. ACA

started initiatives to increase membership awareness of Canadian Sport for Life through its electronic communications. In alignment with the Alberta Sport Plan, ACA will begin adopting some of the language of CS4L to increase awareness of LTAD. This will help members to

understand areas where athlete development initiatives currently align with the principles of CS4L, and where further research and consideration is needed to improve the athletic experience and development of cheerleaders within the Canadian sport system.

ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT

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Several changes were made to the ACA coaching certification program in 2014-2015. The revisions to the program reflected membership feedback and considered the many changes to the sport of cheerleading since the certification program was created in 2003. The updated general requirements include:

• Online ASAA Coaching Fundamentals course as a mandatory one-time qualification • Current first aid and CPR are still required • Completion of Respect in Sport

Recertification requirements were introduced in 2014-2015, with coaches being required to recertify every three years. A one year transition period was granted for coaches who had not certified in the last three years. Coaches are able to recertify at their highest level achieved. To facilitate coaches with USASF coaching credentials becoming school coaches, and recognizing the unique elements of coaching in schools, a challenge option was developed and made available at a reduced cost. Coaches with USASF Level 1 and/or USASF Level 2 may challenge ACA Level 1 by successfully completing the general requirements, as well as the ACA Level 1 written exam and submitting a practice plan. Coaches with USASF Level 3 or higher may challenge ACA Level 2 by successfully completing the general requirements, as well as written exams for ACA Level 1 and ACA Level 2, and a practice plan. Through a Coach Visitation Grant received from Alberta Sport Connection, ACA was able to bring Laura Mar, a USASF Coaching Certifier Trainer, to Alberta to train two additional USASF Coaching Certifiers. The following coaching certification opportunities were offered in 2014-2015:

ACA Level 1 Oct. 11/14 Oct. 25/14 Nov. 15/14 Apr. 25/14 Apr. 25/14 Edmonton Lethbridge St. Albert St. Albert Lethbridge

ACA Level 2 Oct. 25/14 Nov. 1/14 Jan. 17/15 Apr. 25/15 Apr. 26/15 Edmonton Lethbridge St. Albert St. Albert Lethbridge

ACA Level 3 Oct. 25/14 Nov. 1/14 May. 30/15

Edmonton Lethbridge St. Albert

USASF Oct. 19/14 Nov. 08/14 Nov. 16/14 Mar. 15/15 Calgary Edmonton Red Deer Red Deer

COACHING

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Judges training for the 2014-2015 competition season was held from October 18-19 in Sherwood Park with 44 participants in attendance. Damianne Albee of Varsity Spirit provided training for all judges on the updated Varsity scoring system. This scoring system was adapted for use by school teams enabling all judges to judge both All Star and School. This is the first time this has been done and it benefited all teams. Safety Judges training was held on October 19 for all new and re-certifying safety judges. In 2014-2015, there were 37 ACA Certified Judges, 2 Varsity Certified Judges and 2 USASF Certified Judges in ACA’s judging pool. For the 2015 ACA Cheerleading Championships, a guest judge was brought in to provide expertise as well as a training opportunity for the judges. Amanda Yencsko from North Carolina has over 10 years of judging experience including having judged some of the most prestigious competitions in the United States, NCA Nationals and the Summit. Appreciation is extended to Alberta Sport Connection for the Officials Visitation Grant that enabled ACA to have an international guest judge at the 2015 ACA Cheerleading Championships.

* Some judges are certified in more than one area.

Zone 2014-2015 2013-2014

North - 1

Edmonton 35 37

Central 1 2

South 3 3

Total 39 43

Type* 2014-2015 2013-2014

Head 9 11

Panel 33 32

Safety 13 11

Total 39 43

Gender 2014-2015 2013-2014

Female 36 42

Male 3 1

Total 39 43

JUDGING

All judges were able to judge both All Star and School events using the adapted Varsity Scoring

System in 2014-2015

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In 2014-2015, fourteen competitions formed ACA’s competition grid. Of these competitions, nine were hosted in the Edmonton region and five throughout the remainder of the province.

• INSPIRE Cheer and Dance Championships (Edmonton)

• Red Deer Cheer and Dance Challenge (Red Deer)

• West Wind Twist & Flip (Lethbridge) • Ross Sheppard Cheer Championships (Edmonton) • Cold Snap Cheerleading Classic

(Edmonton) • ACA Cheerleading Championships at West

Edmonton Mall (Edmonton) • Edwin Parr Cheerfest (Athabasca) • Stampede City Showdown (Calgary) • ATC Battle of Champions (Red Deer) • ASAA Sr. High Provincials (Edmonton) • Edmonton Jr. High Zones (Edmonton) • Jr. High Provincials (Edmonton) • Edmonton Sr. High Zones (Edmonton) • All Star Cheer Extravaganza (Edmonton) ACA extends its appreciation to the West Edmonton Mall as the Official Venue for the 2015 ACA Cheerleading Championships. Despite the threat made against the West Edmonton Mall in the weeks leading up to the competition, the 2015 ACA Cheerleading Championships were successfully and safely held with representation from five provinces: Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. ACA recognizes the valuable support of Paul Kane High School, Eastglen High School, and Old Scona Academic in providing outstanding volunteers for this competition. The event staff of Corey Fakeley, Stan Lopez, Sean Aryer, along with Master of Ceremonies Troy Locke, ensured the smooth execution and professional atmosphere of the competition. Appreciation is also extended to Cheerific, the Official Technical Resource of the ACA for their outstanding video and sound technology support, and to Total Spirit Cheerleading, Gold Sponsor and ACA’s Official Supplier of Cheerleading Uniforms and Apparel. ACA thanks Alberta Sport Connection and the City of Edmonton for the grants received to assist with hosting the 2015 ACA Cheerleading Championships at West Edmonton Mall. The Junior and Senior High Zones and Provincials remain important competitions for school teams. The 2015 Junior and Senior High Edmonton Zones were hosted by Victoria School of the Arts. The 2015 Junior High Provincials were hosted D.S. MacKenize Junior High at Harry Ainlay High School. The 2015 ASAA Senior High Provincials were hosted by the Alberta Schools' Athletic Association at Archbishop Oscar Romero High School.

COMPETITIONS

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In May 2014, ACA celebrated the achievements of its members at the annual ACA awards event. In addition to award recipients, ACA recognized the many years of service by coaches, officials, and volunteers who have helped to establish cheerleading in Alberta. Years of Service recognitions were as followed:

5 Years 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years 25 Years 13 people 11 people 4 people Julie Arsenault Leanne Livingston

Individuals and teams were recognized through the following awards: Rookie Judge of the Year Samantha Paradee Judge of the Year Anna Batchelor Coach of the Year Stephanie Buga, Breanne Comeau, Beth Hrynew, Stephanie Conners (Sister Annata Brockman) Officials Award Heather Laverdiere Supporting School & Community Spirit Harry Ainlay Varsity (Bronze) ACA High School Scholarships Nicole Neiberding, Jamie Raichel ACA Post-Secondary Scholarships Allison Donaldson-Berg, Asha Lai Team Sportsmanship Paul Kane, Harry Ainlay, PCE Venom, ACE Royalty, Perfect Storm Thunder & Inferno ASAA remained a valued partner for ACA in 2014-2015 in high school cheerleading. Appreciation is extended to ASAA for their support throughout 2014-2015, to Victoria School of the Arts for hosting the 2015 Edmonton Senior High Zones, and Oscar Romero High School for hosting the 2015 ASAA Senior High Provincials. The top results of the 2015 ASAA Provincials were:

Rank Large Varsity Small Varsity Co-ed 1 Harry Ainlay St. Francis Xavier Austin O’Brien 2 Jasper Place Oscar Romero Victoria 3 Foothills Edwin Parr

AWARDS

ALBERTA SCHOOLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (ASAA)

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In 2014-2015, ACA received the following grants from Alberta Sport Connection:

• Association Development Program • Event Support • Coach Visitation • Officials Visitation

Alberta Sport Connection also provided organizational development support by enabling ACA to participate in forums including the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) discussion sessions, Alberta Sport Plan implementation plan strategy dialogues, and the hosting of the 2015 Alberta Sport Leadership Summit. Appreciation is extended to Marvin Dobish of Alberta Sport Connection, who continued as ACA’s Sport Consultant in 2014-2015. ACA formalized multi-year agreements with two long-time supporters of cheerleading in Alberta. Total Spirit Cheerleading was announced as a Gold Sponsor and ACA’s Official Supplier of Cheerleading Uniforms and Apparel. Cheerific became a Silver Sponsor and the Official Technical Resource of the ACA. The support of both sponsors will enable ACA to enhance initiatives for its membership. ACA extends its appreciation to both Total Spirit Cheerleading and Cheerific for their support in 2014-2015.

Appreciation is also extended to the West Edmonton Mall for their continued support as the Official Venue for the ACA Cheerleading Championships. In 2014-2015, the City of Edmonton provided ACA with a Community Investment Hosting Grant to support the hosting of the 2015 ACA Cheerleading Championships at West Edmonton Mall. Throughout 2014-2015, ACA worked to develop a stronger relationship with KidSport Alberta. KidSport Alberta provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport, including cheerleading.

SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

2014-2015 Board of Directors: Scott Luck, President Samantha Paradee, Vice President Jennnifer Guiney, Secretary Jim Greenough, Treasurer Michael Barker, Director Myra Sanders, Director Stephanie Rudanec, Director Tim Hydzik, Director

Alberta Cheerleading Association P.O. Box 31006 Edmonton, Alberta T5Z 3P3 www.albertacheerleading.ca info@albertacheerleading.ca Tel: 780-417-0050 Toll-free: 1-888-756-9220

2014-2015 Board of Directors: Scott Luck, President Samantha Paradee, Vice President Jennnifer Guiney, Secretary Jim Greenough, Treasurer Michael Barker, Director Myra Saunders, Director Stephanie Rudanec, Director Tim Hydzik, Director