Cheerleading in Professional Sports: An Essential Role in Boosting Morale - Essay Sample

Introduction

Cheerleading is a central phenomenon in the sports industry. In particular, cheerleading plays an important role in college and high school sporting events as it involves competition to boost the morale of players and athletes in educational sports activities (Draper). Nonetheless, cheerleading extends beyond school-based games. Professional teams also have their own cheerleaders and squad teams that play a supportive role to the main team. Cheerleading and squad teams in professional sporting teams have become a controversial issue. There are those who criticize cheerleading as a sexist profession because it is dominated by women wearing skimpy dresses. It is argued that cheerleading teams act as objects for the satisfaction of men pleasures (Ryan). Therefore, cheerleaders and squad teams are required to gloom well and showcase their beauty and skills on the pitch beside the players. Regardless of the criticism surrounding cheerleaders, they should not be banned in professional teams. Cheerleading and squad teams should be allowed to coexist with the main players in the professional arena but there should be moderation. Professional teams should regulate the kind of moves made by cheerleaders and the choice of dressing to avoid accidents and promote decency.

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The professional sporting environment is very competitive and teams must utilize all the support system they need to ensure good performance. Cheerleaders and squad teams ensure that professional players and athletes are motivated while on the pitch. Cheerleaders capture the excitement of sports fans which promotes chanting and singing of team slogans creating the morale needed by players on the pitch (Draper). Furthermore, sporting activities should also be fun to ensure maximum fun support. As a result, fans and spectators match a team's performance and that of the cheerleaders to the crucial morale booster of the players. Most importantly, to ensure a fruitful outcome in professional sporting events, team owners, coaches, and other support staff should treat cheerleaders and squad teams with respect and honor. They should be paid well and protected from sexual assault and harassment from the players and management. There should be effective cooperation to ensure positive outcomes for both the main team and cheerleaders.

Since cheerleading is dominated by females, it is fundamental to promote women in prominent roles in the main sports leagues and activities like the NBA, NFL, baseball, football, and hockey among others. Cheerleading is as much a sport like any other game. Squad teams and cheerleaders spend a lot of time practicing moves, jumps, and gymnastics to nurture their skills. Therefore, they should be recognized as fundamental components that complete a professional team. However, professional teams and sporting bodies should regulate the dress code to ensure modesty and decency and glittery booty shorts and revealing bikinis should be eradicated. Such measures would ensure that cases of sexual harassment and reported indecency are done away with.

On the contrary, cheerleading is viewed as a dangerous sport and has been associated with various concussion, shoulder, foot and ankle injuries. Cheerleading involves tumbling activities and gymnastics on a hard ground which increases the risks of injuries (Martin). However, if the stunts are regulated and safety measures put in place, the risks will be minimized. On the other hand, cheerleading should not promote sexism but appreciate gender diversity in professional sports.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cheerleading and squad teams play a significant role in professional sports' teams. Cheerleaders support players and add the motivation necessary for a team's success in major leagues. Moreover, professional sporting activities should be fun and cheerleaders provide the fun necessary for creating enthusiastic memories among spectators. Leagues like the NFL and NBA use cheerleaders as dancers to entertain spectators; hence they should remain in the professional sporting activities.

Works Cited

Draper, Ashley. "Role of Cheerleaders in an Athletic Department's Mission." NFHS, www.nfhs.org/articles/role-of-cheerleaders-in-an-athletic-department-s-mission/.

Martin, Christina L. L. "Cheerleaders." Encyclopedia of Sports Management and Marketing, doi:10.4135/9781412994156.n99.

Ryan, Shannon. "Time for NFL to End Use of Cheerleaders." Chicagotribune.com, 14 June 2016, www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-ryan-ending-nfl-cheerleaders-spt-0107-20160107-column.html.