01/07/2006
National Council for Spirit Safety and Education (NCSSE)
Debbie Bracewell, Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information, quotes, photo ops, call (800) 477-8868 or (910) 488-4618 or email cheer@cheerltd.com

BRINGING SPIRIT AND SAFETY TOGETHER

(Enterprise, AL) Admittedly, there are few things in the cheer industry that everyone agrees on, but very few would disagree with the industry-wide need for more coaches’ training. With the rising number of injuries exceeding the increasing number of cheerleading participants, the need for coaches’ training is becoming more and more important. No longer can schools and gyms cross their fingers and hope for the best. The latest safety survey from Columbus Children’s Research Institute suggests that poor practice facilities and untrained, uninformed coaches may contribute to the number of injuries.

While the quality and accessibility of practice facilities remains a local school and/or cheer gym issue, better coaches’ training has become a hot topic in the cheerleading industry. The yearly turn-over rate in scholastic cheer coaches is at least 60%. School systems find themselves looking for any candidate to take the cheerleader coaching job. If school systems searched for cheerleader coaches as enthusiastically as they do for football or basketball coaches, cheerleader programs would probably run as seamlessly as the sports’ activities they support. The school’s duty is not complete upon hiring a coach—the administration must support that coach with funds for training and opportunities for continuing education.

The newest industry initiative to improve coaches’ training is the National Council for Spirit Safety and Education (NCSSE). Gwen Holtsclaw, president of Cheer Ltd. Inc., explains, "Recognizing that cheerleading is an increasingly physical activity and that all physical activity carries risk of injury, Cheer Ltd. is proud to be a founding member of the National Council of Spirit Safety and Education (NCSSE). Through our collaborative efforts, 3900 coaches have received aggressive training in cheerleading safety and injury prevention in only 24 months.

“We will never know the number of injuries these NCSSE courses have prevented,” Holtsclaw continues. “What we do know is that, as companies in this industry, we have done something to make it safer for scores and scores of young cheerleaders. On those rare but heart-breaking occasions when a cheerleader suffers a serious injury, Cheer Ltd. has renewed clarity about why we helped found and continue to fully support NCSSE. Commitment to cheerleading safety must be an authentic part of every company's mission."

Four core courses comprise the NCSSE Master Level of certification: Cheer/Dance Coaching Principles & Ethics, Coaching Cheer Fundamentals, Stunts and Tumbling I, and Stunts and Tumbling II. No online or correspondence classes for NCSSE. Due to the serious nature of the material, all NCSSE courses are taught in a face-to-face setting. This interactive venue allows for discussions and correcting misinformation or misconceptions. NCSSE instructors have the opportunity personally to emphasize the roles of a cheer or dance coach and the legal responsibilities of a coach.

New and veteran coaches enjoy the program management sections and as professionals know the importance of evaluating what they do and how they do it. Stunts are taught through NCSSE interactive videos and course manuals that emphasize the specific roles of each person in a stunt and the progressive safety measures that must be taken to ensure the safety of cheerleaders. Tests must be successfully completed by coaches in order to receive NCSSE certificates. These tests are given and graded during the NCSSE sessions which allows coaches to see what questions they missed. This also allows instructors another opportunity to reinforce the information with the class attendees.

NCSSE began as a cooperative effort of leading cheerleading companies who saw the need for large scale and updated educational opportunities for cheerleader coaches. “Like with any profession, proper training is vital,” says Steve Wedge, president and CEO of COA. “That is why the National Council for Spirit Safety and Education (NCSSE) developed the most comprehensive and professional training program available for cheer and dance coaches. School administrators and all star gym owners should require their coaches to get this training; they must be prepared to handle the many aspects expected of them in today’s coaching profession. COA is proud to be a founding member of the NCSSE.”

As cheerleading has become more athletic, coaches, parents, and supervisors must understand and advocate the need for safe practice facilities and trained personnel. Cheer and dance coaches must receive financial and educational support so their programs can become safer and more successful. Dimi Kosmakos, vice president of Coastal Alliance Corporation (Atlantic Championships) is “proud to be a Gold Member of the NCSSE, as safety and education is necessary for the continued development of our sport. As the industry evolves, so do the NCSSE courses, providing a standard of safety and excellence for ALL—Rec, School and All Star coaches. The newly developed specialty courses geared to school and all star coaches are extremely beneficial for everyone—coaches and companies alike. Each of us has a responsibility not only to the betterment of our sport, but to the safety of our participants. Education is the greatest asset that coaches can bring to their teams. We encourage all coaches to become NCSSE certified.”

NCSSE is funded and supported by these companies in the cheerleading industry: Atlantic Cheer and Dance, AmeriCheer, Cheer Ltd. Inc., Cheerleaders Of America, Inc., Eastern Cheer and Dance, and United Performing Association, Inc.



If you would like more information about this topic, call Debbie Bracewell (866-456-2773) or Gwen Holtsclaw (800-477-8868).

For more information please click on this link:  www.spiritsafety.com