Alexander Colle | Sports Editor
Featured image: Do YOU have what it takes to be York’s next cheerleader? | Courtesy of York University Cheerleading
In this month’s competitive team spotlight, we sat down with York Cheerleading captain and English & Professional Writing major Karley Lamb to talk about the team, the process of becoming a York cheerleader, and how it has affected her university life.
What is the typical process of becoming a York cheerleader? What types of relevant dance/cheerleading backgrounds do you usually get from applicants? How did you get started?
The typical process to become a York cheerleader begins with tryouts, which begin at the beginning of the school year with fall tryouts. We also host a March “Try-It” Day and summer training for athletes who would like to [try] the sport out, and get some extra training in over the summer break.
Many athletes who try out have dance, gymnastics, or cheerleading experience. We also have athletes who have no experience at all who do very well on the team. While experience is obviously helpful, an athlete’s overall athleticism and potential to learn is important.
I started with York cheerleading before my first term at York began. I had sent an email in March of my grade 12 year, asking a few questions about the team and letting them know that I was interested. I had done competitive gymnastics for years before, different types of dance off and on while growing up, and I had been on my high school cheerleading team for four years. I was invited to a summer training day in July of 2015, and then I tried out in the fall and started my York cheerleading career.
How long has the York cheerleading team been around?
I believe the team started in 1997. The previous coach, Corby Anderson, had been a big part of the program along with his wife, Stephanie Anderson, for many years. When I joined the team, I met Stephanie, but she was beginning to become more active in other parts of the cheer community. I was coached by Corby and an alumna cheerleader, Christie Peddle, who had graduated a few years before I had arrived. The team has always had a big focus on bonding as a team, and working hard to improve as a team in the cheer community and as a program at the university. Last year, Corby retired from coaching. Andrew Francis, a cheerleader and coach at Limelight Cheerleading Allstars, is the current coach.
How has your university life improved as a result of being on the cheerleading team?
My university life would be so different if I weren’t a part of this team. It keeps me active and gives me a break and an outlet for school stress. I’ve made a lot of close friends on the team and it’s given me opportunities and connections outside of the university as well. This year, I started cheering at Limelight Cheerleading Allstars, and I’ve gotten to know more people and continue improving my own skills.
As the captain, it also gives me something else productive to work on when I need a break from school. I love organizing team fundraisers and team bonding with everyone, as well as supporting the school community at events and sports games.
What is something we might not know about being a cheerleader?
Something many people might not know about being a cheerleader is that it’s a sport that can be hard on your body and requires a certain amount of athleticism. We are a competitive team, so we train twice a week to prepare a routine for competitions around Ontario, and many years we are able to compete in the United States as well.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in cheerleading?
For anyone who is interested in cheerleading, I would say: be prepared to work hard, because it does take a lot of dedication and commitment, but it is one of the biggest parts of my life—I love it. It’s hard work physically and mentally, and it takes many hours to perfect different skills, but it is so much fun and it’s an experience that you will be so grateful for.
If you’re interested in joining the York Lions Cheerleading Team, you can reach them via email at: yucheerleading@gmail.com.
