Varsity Announces Partnership With CheerSafe To Promote Cheerleading Safety

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of National Cheerleading Safety Month, Varsity has partnered with CheerSafe, a coalition organized by USA Cheer and the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA), to improve cheerleading safety by increasing safety awareness throughout the cheerleading community. CheerSafe and CheerSafe.org provides athletes, coaches and parents important tools, trainings and updates regarding cheerleading safety.

"Partnering with CheerSafe is a perfect match for Varsity as we strive to promote and encourage cheer safety every day," said Nicole Lauchaire, Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Communications for Varsity. "National Cheerleading Safety Month is a great time to remind athletes, coaches and parents to promote cheerleading safety and ensure their programs follow safety rules and guidelines."

To kick off the partnership, Varsity is promoting CheerSafe's iCheerSafe pledge by encouraging cheerleaders to take "Safety Selfies:" photos in which they will hold #iCheerSafe signs proudly supporting their dedication to safety and inspiring other athletes to do the same. Cheerleaders are being encouraged to tweet their 'selfies' with the hashtag #iCheerSafe. Photos will be featured on the CheerSafe.org site and retweeted by @CheerSafe and @USACheer.

CheerSafe also encourages the following steps to improve cheer safety:

• Take the iCheerSafe Pledge to cheer safely
• Update certifications
• Review Emergency Action Plans
• Spread the word about CheerSafe.org as a cheer safety resource

"We are so proud to have Varsity support the CheerSafe coalition and iCheerSafe pledge," said Karen Lew, director of safety for USA Cheer. "As the leader in all things cheerleading, Varsity's commitment to safety sends a strong signal to the cheer community of the importance of this initiative and an ongoing focus on safety."

Varsity has a longstanding commitment to cheerleading safety. Annually, more than 350,000 Varsity campers take a Safety Awareness class during summer camps to receive safety certifications. Varsity has also been the trusted safety auditor for cheerleaders performing in numerous men's and women's university basketball tournaments since 2006. The National Collegiate Athletic Association also formed a partnership with Varsity which dictates that all cheerleading coaches at the college level are AACCA safety certified.  AACCA was founded in 1987 with initial funding from Varsity and continues to be the standard of cheerleading safety today, having certified more than 20,000 coaches in the last 27 years.

To learn more about Varsity's commitment to cheerleading safety, please visit www.wearevarsity.com/safety. To learn more about CheerSafe and the iCheerSafe pledge, please visit www.cheersafe.org. Updates and important safety tips can also be found on the iCheerSafe Facebook (Facebook.com/icheersafe) and Twitter (@CheerSafe) throughout the month of March.

About Varsity
Varsity is the source for all things cheerleading and dance.  Founded in 1974, the organization has become an innovative global leader comprised of top spirit brands and organizations. Varsity is a leader in uniform innovation, and more than 350,000 cheerleaders and dancers attend Varsity educational camps and clinics per year. Varsity's National Cheer and Dance Championships, many of which are held at the Walt Disney World® Resorts, have been televised on ESPN Networks for more than 25 years.  Leading the way in cheerleading safety, Varsity has been an avid supporter of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators since 1987. Based in Memphis, Tenn., the organization employs 5,000 employees nationwide.  For more information about Varsity, please visit www.varsity.com.

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SOURCE Varsity