ity and coordination, promote muscle flexibility. This essentially, improving healthy muscle development which improves the heart rate, therefore decreases aches and pains and the more flexible a person is, the less the likelihood for injury for the individual. While routines are generally a few minutes long, the stamina and endurance required to consistently rehearse while doing stunts, dances and tumbles becomes an effective cardio exercise and depicts an advanced level of physical competency which requires an overall stronger cardiovascular health. Cheerleading reduces the risks of strokes and health while the lower blood pressure improves stamina. College-level training also adds strength training as an added component of practice. However, competing and practising regularly while supporting a large based social group usually deters students and parents towards the activity, as it would be too time-consuming and distracting from their education. However, According to NCA statistics “82% of cheerleaders maintain a grade point average of that equivalent to a B or higher.” Consistently obtaining good grades while being involved with several in school activities has actually seen to be beneficial, as participation offers them and opens them up to many exciting opportunities like school based trips e.g. academic trips or sport competitions, scholarships and the academic honours roll. “NCA statistics show that 82% of cheerleaders are accepted into college.”

In 2010 cheerleading was rejected from recognition by U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill, who found that competitive cheerleading did not have the organization, post-season structure or standardized rules required to be considered a varsity sport, when trying to comply with gender-equity requirements, upholding a U.S. District Court decision against Quinnipiac University. To elaborate on Title IX, the distinction of a sport falls on whether it has coaches, practices, competitions during a defined season and a structured governing organization. The primary concern for the sport should be competing not just the support of other athletic teams. Cheerleading was attached to the idea of preparation for performances during football games and sports council emphasises on the human physical activity involved when the sporting activity takes place and not activity in preparation for it. Though, the increase of cheerleading as a competitive sport has been through the increase of competitions just focused on cheerleading itself, within America and now especially within the United Kingdom. Where there have been the largest known competitions with numerous divisions from University teams and professional teams whether they are co-ed or all girls teams for example The British Cheer Association National Championships, held in Telford, March 26-27, 2016. There has been an unusual but gradual popularity upsurge for cheerleading within the UK. “Loughborough University’s cheerleading team, Goldrush, reports that the number of members has increased by 27.3 per cent this year, and the University of Exeter’s cheerleading team, the Exeter Emeralds, have seen a whopping 85 per cent increase in membership numbers since 2011.” This is also evident from its social popularity growth as well as its involvement in schools. Many more children have considered attendance as an extracurricular sport as well as, including it being included within school curriculums. ‘The Department of Education shows that 37% of schools are now offering cheerleading in PE lessons have been greeted with scorn in the media’. The involvement of the sport within compulsory physical education lessons encourages and satisfies a lot of the stigma around cheerleading. The benefit of the promotion of cheerleading will deliver better equipment, facilities and training for coaches. The UK Cheerleading Association (UKCA) brings 200,000 girls to the programme, who are already involved with many sports covered by This Girl Can. The This Girl Can project developed by Sport England, supports female exercise and sporting activities. With the promotions of Cheer by such organisations like Sport England, enables the sport to reach a whole other range, as well as it being endorsed by ESPN.

In order for Cheerleading to be recognised as a sport, the National Governin