PHILOSOPHY OF CHEERLEADING PROGRAMS: Cheerleading is classified as an activity.  The role of cheerleaders is to provide team support, crowd control, service to the school, and to provide performance and entertainment.  The WIAA Cheerleading Committee has gone on record to oppose competition for cheerleader squads.  While a school may allow a Cheer Squad to enter a competition, all assumption for responsibility and liability lies with the local School District.

12.1.0        SAFETY REGULATIONS - The WIAA member schools shall follow the National Federation Spirit Safety Rules.

                   12.1.1                 Waiver of Standards - Waiver of any safety standards or regulations by member school shall be considered a school violation whether for an individual or group of cheer and song leaders.

12.2.0        SPIRIT COMMITTEE - The Spirit Committee will be comprised of twelve (12) members, representing Cheerleading and Dance/Drill. Each WIAA District will nominate one member approved by the WIAA Executive Board. The Current Washington State Cheer Coaches Association president will be an at-large member. The Committee will be comprised of five (5) school administrators and five (5) advisor/coaches. The Committee president shall be appointed annually by the WIAA Executive Board President.

                   12.2.1                 The school administrator may be a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal or assistant principal. Terms shall be for three (3) years, to begin on September 1.  At the expiration of a term, the district that has been represented by a cheerleader coach/advisor will nominate a school administrator.  The district that has been represented by a school administrator will nominate a cheerleader coach/advisor.

                   12.2.2                 The Spirit Committee recommends changes in rules to the WIAA Executive Director and acts upon items under the committees' responsibilities and jurisdiction submitted by the representative Activity Districts.

                   12.2.3                 The Washington State Cheerleader Coaches Association (WSCCA) Executive Board is an advisory body to the WIAA Spirit Committee.

                   12.2.4                 The chairperson of the Spirit Committee may report at the meetings of the WIAA Representative Assembly.

                   12.2.5                 Vacancies will be filled by the appropriate Activity District when approved by the WIAA Executive Board.

12.3.0        SEASONS - The cheerleading season and practice regulations are determined by school district policy.

12.4.0        ELIGIBLE STUDENTS - A student, in order to participate in cheerleading activities, shall meet and maintain the WIAA eligibility requirements as listed in Article 18 of the WIAA Handbook, with the exception of Article 18.10.0 (Transferring Students,) and local school standards.

12.5.0        COACHES STANDARDS - Cheerleading coaches must meet the Coach Level Requirements (Article 23.3.0.)

12.6.0        RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHEERLEADERS – Only school district accepted cheers should be used at the appropriate times.  Cheers or yells with degrading opponent implications and profanity must be avoided.  Megaphones and other cheerleading equipment are not permitted in the student rooting section.  Cheerleader’s actions, responsibility, acceptance, and control of student sections will be evaluated and scored as contributing to sportsmanship awards also.

12.7.0        CROWD CONTROL – One of the prime functions of interscholastic competition is to foster the traits of good sportsmanship.  WIAA strongly urges local school officials to stress to their athletes, student bodies and fans the importance of sportsmanlike conduct and the rules of crowd control during all WIAA contests.

                   Being the most recognizable representatives of a school, cheerleaders are in a position of great influence over a crowd.  The cheerleaders can really set the tone for their crowd and should promote positive sportsmanship, ethics and integrity at all times.

                   Cheerleading activities should center on the leading or directing the cheering of student and adult fans.  In this role, cheerleaders can become the school’s most effective student leaders.  Cheerleading activities should be focused on creating a cooperative spirit among the cheerleader squads, athletes, student bodies, school administrators and community, recognizing outstanding plays and examples of good sportsmanship on the part of both teams, and aiding the game officials in the promotion of good sportsmanship and the administration of the contest.