Prepare for your Cheer Interest Meeting

I am about to have my cheer interest meeting for the 2021-2022 school year.  Yes, this is a little late for me.  But COVID….  

The purpose of the Cheer Interest Meeting is to gauge who is interested in being part of the team. At the meeting, your goal as a coach is to clearly communicate the expectations, but then also sell them on the program.  There is a fine balance in selling them on the program.  You don’t want to overshadow the big commitment it takes to be a cheerleader by only highlighting how fun it is or how successful your team has been, but then you also don’t want to scare them away by being too focused on the expectations and the rules.  Find the balance in communicating this and make sure you have that balance as you coach throughout the season!

The following are tips and items you need to have prepared for your interest meeting!

Lunch Meeting

I have my interest meetings during lunch so there typically is not a conflict with after school activities.  If it is allowed, serve them pizza or something to eat!  This will help them to remember to come to the meeting and you might just find a few new athletes that did not consider it.  I am not able to serve them food due to restrictions in my state and school, but if you can, go for it! 

Introduction

The following is the general agenda for your meeting.

Your Introduction. 

Tell them about yourself and why you got involved in cheerleading and why you coach. This is the way you sell them on you.

Team Background. 

Tell them an overview of the program.  Include what games you cheer, camps, competitions. Let them know about any competitions your team has won, cheerleaders that have gone on to cheer in college, etc. Let them know the highlights. Don’t get into the details yet. 

Team Introduction. 

Have your seniors or alumni talk about the experience of cheering and the impact it had on them.  I am even going to play a video of a few of my former cheerleaders who are in their 30’s to share how it has impacted their lives to this day.

Student Introduction. 

Have the students go around the room and share their name and their grade.  If you have time, have them share why they are interested in cheer.  This helps you get to know them.

The Details

You will need copies for everyone of the following, so they can take them with them with them and review with their parents.  

Introduction Letter.

This is your letter introducing yourself to the students and especially the parents. My letter says that there will be a mandatory parent meeting prior to tryouts and then when tryouts will be.  I include my contact information as well so they can reach out.  At the end of the letter, I have a bio about myself and coaching background so they can get to know me.  

Overview of the Program.

I take one page out of my Cheerleader Handbook to give them an overview of the purpose, goals and expectations of being a cheerleader.  I let them know that a detailed Handbook will be given at the official tryout meeting.  I don’t give the whole Handbook because this is just an interest meeting and it is not the time to overwhelm them, especially if they are on the fence.

Overview of the Calendar.

I give them a one page document with an overview of what summer looks like, the games they will cheer (not the entire schedule), competitions they will compete in as well as other events.  You do not need to give them a detailed calendar. Give them an overview that they will cheer at all the football games and they will have competitions October through December.  

Interest Form.

Leave enough time for them to fill out an interest form and don’t let them leave until they have filled it out! Your form needs to have a space for the student AND the parent information including name, email and phone.  Ask them their cheer experience and other relevant experience including dance, gymnastics, etc.  I have a place on the form for them to list their specific tumbling skills.  Then, ask them if they are planning to try out, still thinking about it or have decided not to try out.  

Q&A

During the time they are filling out the form, open up for questions and answers.  

Make sure to end the meeting a little early in case any of them want to come meet you personally or ask you a direct question.  This way they won’t be late to class.

How you conduct your interest meeting says a lot about you as a coach and your program.  Be prepared and be confident! 

Resources for Cheer Coaches

Templates for the Interest meeting forms are in the Cheer Coach Tryout Starter Package.  Find out more - click here.

The Cheer Coach Tryout Starter Package is included with the CCA Premier Membership Season One.  Season One included 15 cheers, 5 dances, 10 transitional stunts, team building and more.  Everything you need online for an entire season for less than the price for one cheerleader to attend camp.  Find out more - click here.