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Standing Against Athlete Poaching: Supporting Youth & High School Cheer

Introduction

Cheerleading should be about growth, teamwork, and community. Yet, one of the most concerning trends in the sport today is poaching athletes—when gyms target kids who are already committed to youth leagues and high school cheer programs. This practice hurts schools, undermines local coaches, and puts unnecessary pressure on families.

At Just Tumble and Golden Elite Allstars, we are proud to say we do not participate in this type of behavior. Instead, we’ve created a program that strengthens—not strips—local teams.

The Problem with Poaching

Poaching isn’t just about athletes switching gyms. It’s about gyms actively reaching out to parents and athletes, promising them more advanced training or exposure while those kids are still in school cheer or youth programs.

This leads to:

  • Weakened school spirit programs that lose their top athletes.

  • Unfair pressure on kids to “pick a side.”

  • Broken trust between gyms, schools, and families.

Our Midseason Program: A Better Path

Rather than pulling athletes away, we designed a Midseason Cheer Program that works hand-in-hand with school and youth cheer.

Here’s how it benefits athletes:

  • Finish Out Sideline Cheer: Athletes don’t have to quit their school or youth teams to join. They can cheer for their community and still grow in all-star.

  • Skill Development: We focus on building tumbling, stunting, and performance skills that will benefit athletes when they return to their youth or high school programs.

  • Preparation for Next Season: By training midseason, athletes head into their next school year stronger, more confident, and ready to lead.

Why This Matters

Cheerleading thrives when schools, youth leagues, and gyms work together. Our approach ensures that:

  • Athletes grow without being forced to leave their roots.

  • Local schools and youth programs remain strong and competitive.

  • Families can enjoy the best of both worlds—community pride and advanced training.

Final Thoughts

At Just Tumble and Golden Elite Allstars, we stand firmly against poaching athletes from youth and high school cheer. Instead, we provide opportunities that support these programs and help athletes thrive both on the sidelines and in competition.

Because when gyms and schools respect each other’s role, the entire cheer community wins.


Evaluation Details

• Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025

• Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

• Location: Just Tumble / GEA Training Center

• Fee: $25 (pre-registration available)

Go to www.goldeneliteallstars.com and click on the Interest Form. Fill it out and submit, you will then see a link to download our Information Packet.

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