If your child is interested in cheerleading, but you’re not sure if you and/or your child are ready to commit to the usual 3-5-days-per-week and thousands of dollars in cost that most competitive cheer programs require, Ignite Cheerleading is a great place to start.
Founder Kelly Stewart is a New Tampa resident who recently relocated from the South Suburbs of Chicago, where she founded Ignite in 2009. The program expanded to 15 locations in Illinois and now, Stewart has eight Tampa Bay area locations ready to host your future cheerleader/dancer — whether they end up being interested in a more competitive cheer or dance environment in the future or just love dressing up in cheer gear and getting an hour’s worth of outstanding cardio and strength-building exercise per week — all in a nurturing, no-pressure environment.
“Throughout the 5 years I’ve been open outside of Chicago, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing young athletes grow up, make friends, gain confidence and accomplish their goals in life,” says Stewart, the entrepreneurial former high school cheerleader and longtime cheer coach. “Having created memories and seen the smiles on young athletes’ faces for five years makes me proud to bring the Ignite program to Florida.”
Among the eight Ignite locations now in place and signing up participants as this issue is reaching you are the Pebble Creek Golf Club (off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa, a little more than a mile south of Wesley Chapel), the Willow Bend Community Church (on Henley Rd. in Lutz, off S.R. 54), CrossPointe Church on DeBuel Rd. in Lutz), plus locations in North Tampa (at Rogers Park Golf Course), Westchase, Lithia, Brandon and Riverview.
All of the locations offer once-a-week (for 15 weeks, 55 minutes/week), recreational cheer and dance programs for ages 5-14. There are no tryouts and no experience needed. And, while there are in-house competitions (with professional judging, trophies, spirit awards, etc.) at each location, Stewart stresses that, “Ignite Cheerleading is an organization that strives to educate, emphasize fundamentals, good sportsmanship, leadership, confidence, teamwork and dedication. Your child will learn basic stunts, tumbling, motions, formation changes and dance moves from qualified coaches, all while focusing on team-building essentials.”
Ignite Cheerleading is now hiring qualified coaches at all locations. Visit IgniteCheerleading.com for more info, including times, locations or to submit an application. Or, call 600-7638.Â
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