Ideas to recruit new cheerleaders

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Hi all!

Wondering if you delightful people could give me some help.

I run a small cheerleading squad, and as it happens at the moment we're having massive trouble recruiting! We recently had an open day and didn't get many takers, but I think that was partly due to the weather.

We have put posters up in the community centre we train in, local shops, supermarkets and the like, and I have put an ad on Gumtree, but I'm a bit stumped as to what else to do. I work full-time so can't really do school workshops.

Any ideas? We're based in the Newcastle area, just for info.

HBS x

Katem

Can you put adverts in the local student's union/uni coffee shop?

Link in with Northumbria University Sports Science dept as they definitely do things out of office hours.

Contact the local NCT/childcare organisations and ask them to publicise it in their groups.

Hospital notice boards - the RVI have one that's well used and if you contact their HR dept they might let you advertise there.

The Centre for Sport on Westgate Rd - advertise there as they are supposed to be supporting sport throughout the region.

Does Sport England still exist? If they do you can ask them for advice.

Local sports centres notice boards.

Use Twitter - during NorthEastHour, or Tweet Northumberland, loads of things get retweeted during those hours. There's loads of LocalHours - you just have to search, there's also GatesheadHour etc. Ditto Facebook page and get people to share.

tea_lover

Do you have a facebook page? Get all your members and friends to share it with an appeal for anyone interested to contact you.

Local radio? Local newspapers - could get them to do a story.

Threebabes

Could you contact schools direct, ask if you can put posters up/hand leaflets out?

8-of-us

I'm not sure what age group you are looking for but how about approaching local schools and asking if you could do a mini display and hand a few leaflets out to classes?

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School displays are very difficult as both me and several of the squad are in college or work full time - but I may write enclosing a poster!

Age wise I am looking to build a junior team (9/10-13) and add to my senior team (14 and up).

Katem - I think UNN have their own pom/jazz team but I will ask the sports science dept, just want to ensure I don't step on any toes. You've given me some really good ideas there thank you!

Two of my squad and their mum did an interview on Radio Newcastle so I'm hoping something comes of that

Keep 'em coming guys - thank you so much! (And feel free to PM if you actually know anyone in the area that's interested )

HBS x

Person_one

What do the outfits look like? A lot of girls are completely put off by having to wear something revealing, as cheerleader outfits seem to be!

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Training outfits are tshirt and shorts or pants

Competition outfits do involve a short skirt (or shorts, as it was last year) but the tops are long-sleeved and cover the stomach. I'm not a fan of squads wearing very small uniforms!

HBS x

DigForVictory

Are your squads single gender or mixed? As my cousin was recruited onto an American squad by the opportunity to "lift girls rather than weights". It gave him an instant 'family', which was really helpful to him as well as healthy exercise & travel.

The teams' Facebookpage also meant we got regular photos of them all looking fit & healthy & happy which saved him a bomb on phone calls etc as why worry about him when there's a 20 minutes old photo?! Another way for students to keep parents updated?

Fishface_Power

Try adverts at City of Newcastle Gymnastics Association, local dance clubs, posters/flyers in local dance wear shops, get a shout out on local radio.

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DigForVictory wrote: »

Are your squads single gender or mixed? As my cousin was recruited onto an American squad by the opportunity to "lift girls rather than weights". It gave him an instant 'family', which was really helpful to him as well as healthy exercise & travel.

The teams' Facebookpage also meant we got regular photos of them all looking fit & healthy & happy which saved him a bomb on phone calls etc as why worry about him when there's a 20 minutes old photo?! Another way for students to keep parents updated?

We don't have a junior squad atm, but the senior squad is mixed

Sadly FP, can't do CNGA as they have their own squad, but may prod around dance schools

Thank you!

HBS x