Special Olympics Tennessee Area 4 hosted its First Annual Cheer Clinic this past Saturday open to anyone interested in participating in cheer. The clinic was divided into two portions. The first focused on Leadership and was open to those interested in coaching or being a Unified Partner. They learned a cheer, dance and chant. During the second part of the clinic, interested Special Olympics athletes from Area 4 which is made of up athletes from Hamilton and surrounding counties attended and were taught the cheer, dance and chant.
This is the first time Special Olympics Tennessee has offered cheerleading in the state. "We hope to continue to grow interest and will be continuing to practice cheer throughout the summer as well as cheer at community and fundraising events and eventually participate in competitive cheer events with other Special Olympic squads in other states," officials said. "If you are interested in getting involved, we have space available for athletes – any person with an intellectual disability over the age of eight. We also have space available for volunteers and Unified Partners – those who will participate in the competitions alongside their special Olympics peers."
For more information, contact Beth Webb at tn4specialolympics@gmail.com.