Building Opportunities for Athletes of All Abilities: Introducing ParaCheer Collective
Pierce Athletics is excited to share a new chapter in Coach Angela's journey with Adaptive Abilities cheerleading and the continued growth of ParaSport Cheer!
At Pierce Athletics, we believe athletics is about much more than developing skills. It's about building confidence, creating meaningful relationships, overcoming challenges, and giving every athlete an opportunity to discover what they're capable of achieving.
That belief extends beyond the walls of our gym and is at the heart of an exciting new initiative: ParaCheer Collective (PCC).
What Is ParaCheer Collective?
ParaCheer Collective is a growing national initiative bringing together athletes, coaches, and advocates who share a passion for advancing ParaSport Cheer.
Its mission is to expand opportunities for individuals of all abilities to participate in cheerleading through education, collaboration, athlete development, and community connections.
While competitive cheerleading is an important part of that vision, PCC is about much more than competition.
The organization aims to help create a stronger foundation for ParaSport Cheer by supporting existing programs, encouraging new opportunities, providing educational resources, and connecting individuals and organizations who want to help the sport grow.
The long-term vision includes clinics, workshops, educational presentations, athlete development opportunities, exhibitions, and collaboration with cheerleading and adaptive sports communities across the country.
What Is Adaptive Abilities Cheerleading?
Adaptive Abilities cheerleading brings athletes with and without disabilities together to participate in the sport of cheerleading.
Athletes contribute their individual strengths and abilities while working together to perform routines that can include stunting, tumbling, jumps, dance, and other cheerleading elements.
It's an exciting demonstration of teamwork, trust, creativity, and athleticism.
One of the most powerful aspects of Adaptive Abilities cheerleading is recognizing that every athlete has something valuable to contribute. Success comes from learning how to work together, adapting techniques when necessary, and celebrating the strengths of each individual.
The result is an athletic experience that challenges participants, develops skills, and creates meaningful connections both on and off the competition floor.
Coach Angela's Journey in Adaptive Abilities Cheerleading
Pierce Athletics owner and head coach, Angela Pierce, has been involved in ParaCheer coaching since 2019.
Throughout her coaching career, she has had the privilege of working with Adaptive Abilities athletes at the national and international levels, including serving as a coach with USA Cheer's U.S. National Team program.
Her experiences have included involvement in events such as the ICU World Cheerleading Championships, Pan-American Championships, and World School Cheerleading Championships.
But for Coach Angela, the most meaningful part of the journey has always been the athletes and the relationships built along the way.
Watching athletes develop new skills, grow in confidence, overcome challenges, and form lasting friendships has reinforced her belief that cheerleading can make an extraordinary impact on people's lives.
Those experiences have also helped her recognize the need for more opportunities, greater awareness, and additional resources to support the continued development of ParaSport Cheer.
Her involvement with ParaCheer Collective is a natural extension of that passion.
A New Adaptive Abilities Competitive Team
One of ParaCheer Collective's first initiatives is the development of a new Adaptive Abilities competitive cheerleading team.
The program will bring together athletes from different communities and backgrounds to train, develop their skills, and work toward shared goals.
The team is designed for athletes ages 12 through adult, including athletes with and without disabilities. Practices are planned in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, making this a regional training opportunity with a broader national reach.
In addition to developing a strong competitive team, the program hopes to create opportunities for exhibitions, educational demonstrations, and increased awareness of Adaptive Abilities cheerleading.
This team represents an exciting first step, but it is only one part of the larger ParaCheer Collective mission.
Why This Matters to Pierce Athletics
Although ParaCheer Collective is a separate initiative from Pierce Athletics, its mission closely reflects the values that have guided our gym for more than 25 years.
We believe athletics should help individuals grow not only in their physical abilities, but also in character, confidence, leadership, and relationships.
Coach Angela's continued involvement in Adaptive Abilities cheerleading provides opportunities to share knowledge, learn from other coaches and athletes, and advocate for greater access to athletic participation.
We are proud to celebrate her commitment to growing the sport and helping create meaningful opportunities for athletes of all abilities.
How Can You Get Involved?
ParaCheer Collective welcomes connections with athletes, families, coaches, cheerleading programs, adaptive sports organizations, educators, and community partners who are interested in supporting the growth of ParaSport Cheer.
Whether through athletic participation, education, collaboration, volunteering, or simply helping spread awareness, there are many ways to make a difference.
To learn more and follow ParaCheer Collective's journey, visit Instagram: @paracheercollective.
At Pierce Athletics, we believe every athlete deserves the opportunity to grow, contribute, and shine. We're excited to see how ParaCheer Collective helps create even more opportunities to make that possible.
