Student Club Sports
Cheerleading
Recap of the 2022 - 2023 year
Saint Mary's University Cheerleading is very proud of the accomplishments of its student-athletes. Our student-athletes excelled in the classroom and on the mat. Whether acing a midterm, progressing on a term paper, higher jumps, louder cheering, stronger tumbling or sharpened stunt execution, the talent of the student-athletes improved tremendously. Our student-athletes were determined to persevere with the advancement of team and individual skills throughout the year.
On-Campus Involvement
- Welcome Week (Fall & Winter)
- Enactus
- United Way Campaign
In the Community
- Learn to Cheer school events
With a passion for school spirit, our mission as Saint Mary's University Cheerleading is to maintain a philosophy of assisting student-athletes in reaching their highest potential in a positive and safe environment. Saint Mary's University Cheerleading fosters fitness, health, and fun through sideline and competitive programs.
At Saint Mary's University, we believe that each student-athlete is unique in his or her own way. We currently offer two teams that are well suited to the abilities of our student-athletes: a Sideline Cheer Team and a Competitive Team; both the Sideline Cheer Team and Competitive Team are Co-ed.
Our Sideline Cheer Team gets the crowd enthusiastic and energized as we cheer on our soccer, football and basketball (men's and women's) athletic teams. You can also find our Sideline Cheer Team at events on campus and in the community. Our Competition Team showcases the Huskie pride as they compete against other universities. Competing helps to boost confidence and team efficacy. Student-athletes are motivated to achieve goals together as a team while fostering bonds that will last forever.
smucheer@gmail.com - Email
smucheerleading - Instagram
SMU Cheerleading - Facebook
Team Captains will be voted on by each team in the Fall.
The dates for the 2023-2024 season tryouts are posted. The process will consist of a variety of cheerleading skill assessments and athletic ability evaluations, which include, but are not limited to, endurance, strength, and flexibility tests. Coaches are looking for hard-working student-athletes who demonstrate potential, willingness to accept direction, mindfulness to safety, and a desire to contribute to a positive team environment. Cheerleading experience is an asset; however, dedication and willingness to learn act as an attribute. A short dance and cheer will be taught at tryouts. Student-athletes will be scored on technique, stunting and overall performance.
Coach Joy is a SMU alum and veteran of the team for 4 years, who also cheered with an all-star gym for 2 years before joining our team. Joy has been known to try all stunt positions, but is typically found in the air with some sassy facials - her favourite part of the routine is the pyramid. Outside of the gym, you’ll often find her on her paddleboard or roller skating around the city!
This is Joy’s first year as a coach and she is thrilled to meet the team and start competition season, this time from the front of the mats instead of onstage.
Coach Julia has been involved in cheerleading for 4 years as a flyer. Three of those years she was a member of the SMU Cheerleading team. This is Coach Julia’s first year as a coach. Her favourite part of the routine is pyramids. Her bubbly energy and positive attitude is an asset to team chemistry.
Off the mat, Julia enjoys singing, hiking, kayaking, and volunteering with local community groups. She is looking forward to helping out with the team this year, and hopes to become a role model for new student-athletes!
Coach Kayla, fondly known as Mrs. Winchester-Hicks-Henry has been coaching the SMU Cheerleading teams for 5 years now, and was also an athlete on the team when she attended SMU many years ago. Although our team is her official first coaching gig, her past experience includes two all-star cheer programs for 10 years, most of those years competing at some of the highest levels in the sport. Kayla started out as a main base in her cheer career, but later transitioned to a flyer as her teammates grew taller than her! Her favorite part of cheerleading is a tie between tumbling and baskets - anything that involves a flip.
Outside of the cheerleading world, when she’s not obsessing over work, you can find her chilling with her cat army, having a lazy day at home, or on a fun filled road trip hiking adventure with her pups!
Coach Mo has been involved with SMU Cheerleading since 2005 and was an athlete on the team for three years prior to stepping in as head coach. Mo has also coached and cheered for various all-star programs, competing on level 7 teams as a backspot: her favorite part of the routine is baskets! She has been contributing to the cheerleading community as a volunteer for more than 7 years, occupying the roles of Vice President, Treasurer, Communicator with Cheer Nova Scotia (CNS), and currently sits on multiple CNS Committees.
When not coaching practice - Mo is always staying active, whether SCUBA Diving, hiking, or hitting the barbells and kettlebells!
Saint Mary's University Cheerleading student-athletes are expected to attend all practices. The success of the team and its performance solely depends on the commitment of each student-athlete. Student-athletes unable to commit to practices, games, scheduled events, and competitions should reconsider trying out for both teams.
The nature of cheerleading is such that one student-athlete's absence will hinder the overall performance of the team for an upcoming practice, game, scheduled event, or competition. While we recognize that there are circumstances under which an absence is required, we need all student-athletes to understand that accrual of absences, regardless of reason, will result in dismissal from the team. Absences for academic reasons are allowed.
During the year, team fundraising events will be organized to help lower the cost of team fees.
Coaches will advise on fundraising events throughout the academic year.
Competitive Team
- $600 / year
Sideline Cheer Team
- $400 / year
Fees are paid in 5-6 installments over the school year. All team fees are non-refundable
Competition Team
- Mondays and Wednesdays 7:45-10:15PM
Sideline Cheer Team
- Tuesdays 7:45-10:15PM
Competition Team
- Cheer Blast - January 27th - 28th
- Maritime Meltdown - March 2nd - 3rd
- Cheer Expo Nationals - April 6th & 7th
Sideline Cheer Team Performances
- Cheer Blast - January 27th TBD
- Cheer Expo Nationals - April 6th
High School Competition dates are scheduled in November for the Spring. Our plan is to only attend performances within Halifax Regional Municipality. In the Spring of 2023, we attended the Auburn High School and Dartmouth High School Competition.
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