How many athletes are you looking for at tryouts?

• The team isn't a set size.  We will select as many as we feel are an asset to the team.  Some years this is just a couple, and other years we select many.  Strong candidates always make the team.

What is the time commitment?

• Low for a varsity team.  We have 3 practices per week, or two practices and cheer one game each week.  This is about 9 - 11 hours per week, no training for the month of exams (december and april).

How much does it cost?

• Very cheap due to the strong financial support from Alumni, being part of Athletics, school funding and support, and efficient operation by the coaches.  You pay only $50 per term.  This gets you use of a uniform, team gear, entry to competition, travel, accomodation, food at team parties, and a whole lot of other benefits.  You need proper shoes, and there are very few additional costs.

How does school/co-op/graduate status affect me on the team?

• To be on the team, you must be:

a) Registered as a full time student (at least 3 courses) at the University of Waterloo and in good academic standing with the University.

b) On a co-op work term or summer work term.

or c) In a graduate program.

This includes satellite programs and campuses, like Architecture in Cambridge.

Do I need cheerleading experience?

• No. It can sometimes be more difficult to "de-train" someone with bad experience than to train someone without experience.  Only good previous experience is an asset.

Guys

What is stunting?

• Stunting is circus-like acrobatics, performed at simple levels up to advanced levels.  Throwing a girl into the air and catching her feet in your hands is one of the most common stunts; having someone step up onto the hips of two people (a thighstand) is an example of a very basic stunt.

How hard (effort) is it?  

• The most basic stunts, pretty much anyone could do with instruction and a few experienced spotters and tops.  More advanced stunts require greater strength, balance, coordination and stability.  Most new recruits all start at the same level, regardless of strength, but how fast they improve depends greatly on how strong and how coordinated they are (plus how motivated they are to getting better and getting stronger).

How hard is it to learn?

• Some may learn basic stunting in a few days, some it might take a few months.  Some people have learned a backflip in a matter of weeks, others it may take a few years.   Everyone works at their own pace.
  

How safe is it?

• When done with spotters and experienced athletes and coaches, it is very safe.  We have set ways of doing things to ensure that everyone is kept as safe as possible.

Why should I join the team?

• Everyone has at least a little interest in the stunts cheerleaders can perform.  Lets face it, they are pretty impressive.  You may take a bit of teasing when you first tell your friends you are a cheerleader, but around this school, our team is well respected and is the most consistent highest placing team.  Our members are renowned for their athleticism, the shape they are in, and the stunts they can do. 

How did the guys on the team get recruited?

• Most recruiting of guys is done by showing them stunts, and getting them to try it.  Stunting can be really fun and really exhilarating, it is also a challenge.  Some came to get in shape.  Some came to learn a backflip.

Girls

Do I have to know how to tumble?

• Tops do not need to know how to tumble, but it is an asset.
  Tumblers must be able to do a minimum of a solid tuck on a spring floor.
  

Do you take All-Girl bases?

• Girls are either tops and/or tumblers. Tumblers often mid pyramids, and may be asked to assist or base, and tops will learn tumbling. This means to make the team, you must meet the requirements of at least one of these positions.
  

Do I need to be flexible?

• Tops need to have excellent flexibility to perform the overhead stunt positions.
  Tumblers need to have the good amount of flexibility required for strong tumbling.
  

What size do I need to be?

• Tops are generally less than 5'5" and less than 125 lbs.  These are not rigid numbers, but they are indicative of who has been successful in our program.
• Tumblers can be any size as long as you can tumble well.

Is being able to dance important?

• Dance is not specifically important, but it can be useful.  Dance experience, along with other sport experience, usually mean the candidate is more coordinated and flexible, and that is a good asset.