Cheerleading Safety From AACCA. Solutions to address the risks involved in cheerleading.

OK, what’s up with the “i”Stuff going around? Are iPromise and iCheerSafe the same thing? Who’s running these things and what are they for?

We’ve been getting a few emails and calls about this, so I’ll do my best to clear it up.

First off, iPromise and iCheerSafe are two new initiatives from the cheerleading community. Unfortunately, they came out at just about the same time and that’s created a little confusion. Let’s start with “iPromise“.

iPromise

From the iPromise site:

iPromise was developed by a subcommittee of the USASF National Advisory Board. iPromise is co-supported by the Parent’s Action Committee, NCSSE and AACCA who award a ‘Leadership through Sportsmanship Award’ annually at the VIP Reception and Ceremony. The pledge can be taken by all participants of cheerleading and dance. Taking the pledge shows that individual supports a better cheerleading and dance community through mutual respect and appreciation.

So iPromise is about sportsmanship and leadership – things like respecting yourself and your fellow competitors, playing by the rules, making an effort to meet other athletes, and acting with integrity. There are different pledges for coaches, athletes and parents!

The initiative was developed for the all star community, but the values are certainly consistent with any level of cheerleading. To take the pledge and post your iPromise pin to your facebook page, go to http://usasf.net/programs/promise

iCheerSafe

From the iCheersafe site:

iCheerSafe is a pledge that cheerleaders and coaches can use to declare their role in cheerleading safety.

iCheerSafe is about understanding how to lower the risk of cheerleading injuries.

iCheerSafe is a sign of the commitment of cheerleaders and coaches to cheerleading safety.

Taking this pledge shows that you understand your role in safety and commit to it.  The pledge includes a commitment to following safety rules, not practicing without a coach, knowing and staying within your limitations, communicating safety issues such as injuries, and knowing your role in your Emergency Action Plan.

iCheerSafe is about cheerleading safety and taking responsibility for your role in safety. As a cheerleader or coach, you have a responsibility to your team.  It was developed by AACCA with input from cheerleaders, coaches and risk management experts.

To take the pledge and post your iCheerSafe button to your facebook page, go to http://icheersafe.com

iCheerSafe and iPromise

Now that you know what each “i” does, you can see that they are actually very complimentary initiatives to help make cheerleading better for everyone involved. Take the pledges and then help spread the word about them both!