4 TAKE-AWAYS FROM CANADA’S WEST COAST SUMMER CHEERLEADING COACHES CONFERENCE

Get insider insights from the 2025 Summer Spirit Fest cheerleading coaches conference in Vancouver, BC. Learn how Canadian cheer coaches are growing the sport, adapting to Gen Z athletes, and mastering stunting and tumbling techniques.

Why Events Like The Summer Spirit Fest Matter for Canadian Cheerleading

We’re back from stunning Vancouver, BC, with fresh ideas and renewed energy! There’s nothing like connecting with others who share a deep passion for competitive cheerleading in Canada.

If you're like us, spending the summer reflecting on the past season and preparing for your next all-star cheerleading season for your program, keep reading. These are the 4 major takeaways from this year’s Summer Spirit Fest, hosted by New Era,  a must-attend event for Canadian cheer coaches, gym owners and industry leaders all along!

1. The Power of Community in Canadian Cheerleading

One of the most inspiring parts of the weekend was seeing the Canadian cheer community come together with international peers to support the growth of youth cheerleading.

A standout session featured a panel of experts from all corners of the sport:

• Cheer judges

• Gym owners and program directors

• Event producers (EPs)

• PTSOs like Cheer Québec

• Cheer coaches and athletes

The big conversation? The future of cheerleading in Canada 🍁 and how close we are to real transformation, at a crossroad really, with the end-goals being agreed overall:

• National recognition both internationally (hello Olympics!) and at the nation’s level, through Sport Canada for example

• Standardized age grids and scoresheets

• Solid businesses that can open doors to more children to experience cheerleading

2. Smart Meta Ad Strategies for Cheer Gym Growth

We got to speak with Rachelle from TTB Media & Consulting Inc., and her Meta Ads expertise blew us away 🤯

For example, did you know you could target a specific address (let’s say the conference center) and drop an add to anyone between the ages of 18-45 that’s interested into cheerleading?

If you're a cheer gym owner in Canada, this is how you scale with precision and increase visibility for your cheerleading classes, tryouts, or apparel drops (special t-shirts, new custom shoes, practice wear or any other item from your pro shop).

Looking to attract new cheer families or promote your all-star cheerleading program? This is next-level marketing. For more details on how to do that, and so much more, book a consult with them!

3. Coaching Gen Z: Mental Health and Athlete Retention

“Gen Z is just wired differently.” That’s how Liz Gigante Ulrich sums the new generation up after decades of working with teens.

She’s seen the pendulum swing — from ignoring mental health to becoming overly sensitive to everyday struggles — which pushed her to find new ways to communicate with today’s teens so they feel heard, understood, and safe. For Canadian cheer coaches, this isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

With performance anxiety rising in youth sports, it’s something elite coaches can’t ignore. We now realize that building the right support team is key to helping athletes develop healthy coping skills and stronger team dynamics.

Tired of hearing “I’m over cheer, I need to focus on my mental health”? If we want to grow the sport we love and keep our 12 to 18 year-olds engaged, we have to face this head-on. Today’s athletes aren’t weak… they’re overwhelmed! And with the right guidance, a strong team culture, open conversations, and mental wellness resources, we can help them build resilience instead of walking away. Let’s give them the tools to push through, not drop out.

4. Elite Coed Stunting Techniques with the Rhino, Kollin Cockrell

Coed stunting in Canada is on the rise, and few teach it with the skill and clarity of Kollin Cockrell. As one of the most recognized figures in the sport, it’s no surprise (but still impressive!) to see how deeply he understands every stage of coed stunt development.

From foundational tosses to advanced inverted positions and tricky transitions, Kollin breaks it all down with a step-by-step approach that’s perfect for developing male athletes’ strength, confidence, and technique.

What stood out most? His humility, laser focus, and genuine passion for helping coaches and athletes succeed. If you're looking to level up your coed program in a meaningful way, booking a clinic with Kollin is a no-brainer.

🎥 Bonus: Bring Your Vision to Life with Pro-Level Media

Want your cheer gym marketing to stand out? Don’t underestimate the power of clean, high-impact visuals. Luis and the team at LMX Digital know exactly how to capture the spirit of your athletes, because they’ve been in your shoes. As ex-cheerleaders, they understand the timing, angles, and energy needed to make your gym shine.

Whether you’re launching a uniform reveal, updating your gym digital profiles, or prepping content for all sorts of event promotions, LMX delivers stunning video and photography that speaks directly to your audience.

📸 Pro tip: Book early! These guys are in high demand for a reason (;

Let’s Keep Growing the Sport Together!

As Canadian cheer coaches and gym owners, you’re not just running practices, you’re shaping the future of competitive cheerleading in Canada. Events like Summer Spirit Fest remind us that there’s always more to learn, more ways to lead, and more impact we can have on our athletes.

Whether you're refining your techniques, adapting your coaching for Gen Z athletes, or exploring smarter ways to grow your gym through digital marketing, the goal remains the same: to create resilient athletes, thriving programs and an overall stronger national cheer community.

Let’s keep pushing forward together!