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heerleading comes in all forms from low key
participation to serious competition. What may look
easy and fun is underpinned by a lot of technical skill
and discipline and inevitable risk of injury.
Some sources suggest that cheerleading has become the
biggest cause of serious injuries to high schools girls in the US.
That is an alarming claim. However in recent years the types of
manoeuvres attempted has moved from more standard dance
competencies to gymnastics and acrobatic type skills. With
tosses of participants in some cases to a height of 5.5 metres,
such a spectacle carries with it high risks.
Other moves such as flips, dive rolls, human pyramids, jump
splits can cause a full spectrum of injuries from strains and
sprains to fractures and spinal injuries and head injuries. With
these injuries comes the risk of liability suits and the possibility
of costly enquiries and litigation. Sporting facilities and
their coaches/trainers/instructors need to understand and
minimise the risks and be in a position to defend their actions
and training methods.
Cheerleading like most sports carries some obvious risks
that participants (and their guardians) will either expressly
or impliedly acknowledge and accept as a condition of
participation. However other risks may be less obvious to the
untrained eye and if avoidable with greater care, give rise to
a potential negligence claim. It is critical participants have the
full extent of activities and their risks in general terms explained
to them from the outset. Good enrolment documentation and
disclaimers can assist this.
Similar to gymnastics, cheerleading is a progression of skill and
a large number of the skills taught are similar to gymnastics.
With any learned skills there is trial and error. Things can
and will go wrong, it is the nature of learning. With correct
instruction, supervision and the use of “spotters” where
needed a child can progress through the basic skills to more
advanced skills but very rarely without any injury.
Even the most qualified, trained professionals can still
injure themselves – at no fault of the instructor. In the case
of Queensland Gymnastics Association Inc v Wright [2002]
QCA 466 the respondent was a highly skilled gymnast and
trampoline athlete since the age of five. He performed a
basic flip manoeuvre ("barani") on a trampoline and instead
of landing on his feet, he landed on his head and sustained a
spinal injury.
The court heard that children as young as six and seven are
taught to performthe barani and it is considered "a rudimentary
basic skill". Even an experienced gymnast who had previously
executed a barani, when executing such a routine could over
rotate their somersault.
CHEERLEADING - NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED
Lead by innovations largely out of the United States and fuelled by popular movies and shows,
cheerleading as a sport is growing in popularity throughout Australia in high schools and clubs.
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risk management