Cheerleading: More Than a Hobby, a Way of Life

Cheerleading isn't just a sport—it's a show blending dance, acrobatics, and gymnastics. The atmosphere these girls create at hockey games is truly indescribable. Watching them makes you want to smile and dance. Cheerleading is a sea of emotions at every event.

Maria Medvedeva, a member of the support group for the hockey club "Metallurg," answered a few questions exclusively for GoDance.TV.

— How long have you been in cheerleading, and how did you get started?

— At 11, I was a devoted fan of HC Metallurg Magnitogorsk. One day I came to a match and saw the support group girls, and I wanted to try it myself. When I first came to practice, I didn't realize cheerleading was not just cheering for the team but a specific sport. The girls don't just dance at games—they also travel to competitions. At first it was really hard, but after my first competition and the incredible emotions I felt, I became attached to this sport. I've been doing cheerleading for 9 years now and hold the rank of Candidate Master of Sports.

— Is cheerleading a lifestyle or just a hobby?

— At first it was a hobby, but over 9 years it became a lifestyle—we trained almost every day. The team became my second family, and the coach my second mom.

— Do you plan to continue developing in this direction?

— Due to injuries, I had to give up competitions and training, which was an incredibly difficult challenge for me. When I attended competitions where my team was performing, and I was invited as a technical judge, tears just rolled down my cheeks. After dedicating so many years to this sport, experiencing so many positive emotions, it's simply impossible to put into words. I decided that if I can no longer perform myself, I can teach kids what I know, pass on my experience, and cultivate new athletes. I formed a preparatory group of 4-5-year-old girls to eventually send them to competitions and experience those same emotions, this time as a coach.

— Would you want your own children to take up cheerleading in the future?

— Everyone hopes their kids will follow in their footsteps. I really want my children to be involved in sports, but they should choose the sport themselves. If my child chooses cheerleading, I'll be very happy, but if they choose another sport, I'll be happy too. The most important thing is that the child has interest, drive, persistence, and determination.

— At what age can one start cheerleading?

— It's never too late to start a sport. But since this is a high-risk sport, I think it's best to start at an early age, around 5. But even starting at 12 wasn't a problem for me. The key is to set a goal and understand that it's for you. Only then will things work out.

— Do you need special training, or can anyone learn quickly?

— Training never hurts, even basic stretching helps. But even without any preparation, every sport has great, experienced coaches who can help and give the right advice.