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The Big Debate - Should Cheerleading be recognised as a sport?
Is Cheer a sport?
The Centre for International Sports Law (CISL) invites you to join us in the debate as to whether Cheerleading should be recognised as a sport.
This site will show you the different cheerleading disciplines, explore how sports are defined and present to you the critical academic opinion for you to make up your own minds on this issue.
What we need from you?
After reading the arguments, please can you spare just 5-10 minutes to complete our short, completely anonymous (12 question) survey about whether cheerleading should or should not be a sport.
 | If you think that cheerleading should be a sport and cheerleaders deserve to be called athletes, tell us in the survey…. |
 | If however you think that cheerleading should not be a sport and the activity is more theatrical than sporting, tell us in the survey…. |
The results of the survey will be used to help justify whether cheerleading should be recognised or rejected as a sport, so your vote really does matter!
Thank you and we hope you enjoy the debate….
What is a sport?
The issue of which activities are recognised as ‘sports’ and which are not, is a controversial one and really depends on what organisation or body you ask. Read more about What is a sport? »
What is Cheerleading?
In its simplest terms, Cheerleading is the performance of athletic skills, jumps, dance and/or chanting to gain a response from spectators at an event. Read more about What is Cheerleading? »
Why recognition?
The Centre for International Sports Law (CISL) invites you to join us in the debate as to whether Cheerleading should be recognised as a sport. Read more about Why recognition? »
What next?
You understand the arguments for and against cheerleading being recognised as a sport, so how can you get involved in this debate? Read more about What next? »
