Varsity and the NFHS to Offer Free Safety Courses to Coaches in Honor of National Cheerleading Safety Month

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Varsity, the leading organization in cheerleading camps and education, today announced that it will provide free safety certification courses to the first 200 coaches to log on to the National Federation of State High School Association's website to take the course in March. This initiative is part of National Cheerleading Safety Month and Varsity's ongoing mission to raise awareness about the importance of coaches' education in keeping cheerleading safe for all participants.

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"Athlete safety is of paramount importance to us," said Founder and CEO Jeff Webb. "We want every school's cheer program to take advantage of the best resources available, and are excited to provide this opportunity to coaches nationwide."

More than 22,000 coaches have already completed the comprehensive risk management course on site and online.  For school employees at least 21 years of age serving as the cheer coach, AACCA certification includes $1,000,000 of additional liability coverage.  

The course was created by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA), the leading safety certification and risk management organization, founded in 1987.  Varsity, which includes the Universal Cheerleaders Association, National Cheerleaders Association and United Spirit Association, has worked with AACCA for more than 20 years, providing a comprehensive safety training curriculum for coaches, advisors and students of school-based programs. Last summer alone, more than 300,000 cheerleaders completed a Safety Awareness Program at camps across the country.

AACCA has been endorsed by the NFHS and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and is seen as the standard of care in cheerleading safety nationwide.   "As a parent and a coach, I am keenly aware of the importance of safety education and certification," says Paige Johnson, coach of the Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw, Georgia. "For me, I like to start my school year at camp by making sure my AACCA certification is up to date so that I stay on the cutting edge of safety.  I know coaches will appreciate a chance to get certified for National Cheerleading Safety Month."

Coaches can complete the AACCA Cheerleading Safety Course online by following the steps at aacca.org/safetycourse.

About Varsity

Varsity is the source for all things related to cheerleading and dance team.  With a rich heritage and traditions dating back to 1948, Varsity is an innovative global leader comprised of the leading spirit brands and organizations including its educational camps, clinics, competitions and uniforms to teams around the world. Varsity's National Championships, which are held at the Walt Disney World® Resorts, have been televised on ESPN Networks for more than 25 years. Web-based Varsity TV features thousands of cheerleading and dance team videos and has become a favorite cheer destination for cheerleaders and coaches alike. Varsity has led the way in cheerleading safety as a supporter of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators since 1987 and as a camp leader training more than 300,000 cheerleaders per year in cheerleading fundamentals with an emphasis on safety. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Varsity employs 5,000 employees nationwide.  For more information about Varsity, please visit http://www.varsity.com.

About the National Federation of State High School Associations
Since 1920, The National Federation of State High School Associations has led the development of education -based interscholastic sports and activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets directions for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS, from its offices in Indianapolis, Indiana, serves its 50 member state high school athletic/activity associations, plus the District of Columbia. The NFHS publishes playing rules in 16 sports for boys and girls competition and administers fine arts programs in speech, theater, debate and music. It provides a variety of program initiatives that reach the 18,500 high schools and over 11 million students involved in athletic and activity programs.

Contact: Sheila Noone, 901-251-5959, [email protected]

SOURCE Varsity