JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS)— Cheerleading is a sport cherished by many, whether or not it’s in highschool or at a aggressive stage, and whereas it’s cherished by not solely women however boys as effectively, sure guidelines maintain boys again from totally collaborating.
15-year-old Jalen Oliver and 8-year-old Nolan Phillips are college students at Michigan Middle Junior Senior Excessive College in Jackson and whereas they’ve a robust love for the game, Oliver says the 2 face an impediment that many different male cheerleaders face.
“The competitive thing, the main one obviously. I can’t do anything,” says Oliver.
It’s because within the state of Michigan—cheerleading is an all-girls sport.
Phillips who has been cheering since he was 4 years previous, faces the same situation.
“It is unfair that boys do not get to cheer, however women get to do it,” says Phillips.
In keeping with the Michigan College Athletic Affiliation, boys could not take part on a woman’s staff in MHSAA-sponsored postseason meets and tournaments. Whereas they could have the ability to cheer at pep rallies and sports activities video games, boys are banned from collaborating in any sort of cheer competitors.
So, Phillips’s mom, Elizabeth Phillips, made a petition to permit boys to take part in cheer competitions in faculties, not only for her son, however for a lot of boys who like to cheer.
Oliver understands that boys can’t compete at a college stage competitively, however suggests a change.
“They might have a co-ed division identical to they do at a collegiate stage. They’ve all-girl, they’ve acro, they’ve co-ed,” stated Oliver.
