Cheerleading promotes physical fitness as well as confidence, friendship and fun. The Canton Lions cheerleading program is led by the cheer unit director, and there are dedicated coaches for each squad.

In 2015, stunting and tumbling were integrated into the Lions cheer program. This was an important point of progress, as a goal of the cheer program is to also prepare our athletes for participation at the high school level.

Each November, Canton Lions cheerleaders compete with other squads throughout the league in the MYFCC Super Cheer. This event allows our athletes to showcase the cheer, dance, stunting and tumbling skills and routines they worked so hard throughout the season to perfect.

We are able to keep registration fees low with the help from our generous sponsors and fundraising support. The registration fee for 2022 is $275. Canton Lions provide cheer uniforms and running suits, parents are asked to purchase cheer shoes and cheer briefs.

If you have any questions about the cheer program, please email the cheer director.

Cheer Squads

Practice Information 

Practice Begins

Cheerleading practices begin the end of July for all squads at Heritage Park in Canton (exact date will be announced in the spring). Depending on when the weather changes in October, cheerleaders will transition to indoor practices at Premier Sports Academy - The Indoor at 2625 E Michigan Ave, Y

Practice/Conditioning Schedule

ALL squads will practice five days  6-8 p.m. at Heritage Park. Beginning the second week of practice, the freshmen, JV and varsity squads will practice five days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) 6-8 p.m., while the junior freshmen squad will only practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. Once the games begin, freshmen, JV and varsity cheerleaders will practice three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Junior freshmen will only practice on Tuesday and Thursday. Practice will be indoors and outdoors all season to allow time on the mats to practice tumbling and stunting.

Practice Locations

Practice will be indoors and outdoors throughout the season. The outdoor practice field is located off of Canton Center Road, one mile south of Cherry Hill, behind (west of) the Canton Township fire station. The indoor practice location will be communicated as we approach the time to transition from outdoors to indoors.

In October, cheerleaders will transition to indoor practices only. The cheer director will provide a detailed practice schedule.

Practice Attire

Cheerleaders should wear loose-fitting shorts (no jean shorts or button pants), supportive gym (No Vans, canvas shoes, or crocs) shoes and a plain t-shirt (no spaghetti straps). Jewelry, hair beads, and nail polish are not allowed to be worn at practice or games. In addition, no makeup is to be worn on game days.  No exceptions!

Camp gear (a pair of shorts and a Canton Lions cheer t-shirt) will be provided for each athlete on or prior to the first day of conditioning. Athletes should wear their camp gear, or similar attire, during conditioning and/or practice.

Practice Schedule for Cheer Rally

Two weeks prior to Rally, all cheerleaders are required to practice every weekday (five days a week).  . Jr. Freshman/Mascots may practice on a reduced scheduled. The decision for practices will be determined by the Cheer Director and Jr. Freshman Coaches.

Practice Cancellations

Practices are rarely canceled due to rain. However, if LIGHTNING occurs, practice will be suspended, and all athletes will seek shelter as directed by the club/their coaches, for 30 minutes from the last lightning occurrence. 

Practice cancellation will be determined by the executive board of directors. Should practice be canceled for weather or any reason, Canton Lions volunteers will remain with the athletes until everyone has been picked up. As a courtesy to our volunteers, if thunderstorms/severe weather is in the forecast on practice days, please either remain at the fields during practice or be prepared to pick up your child early, in the event practice gets canceled.

If practice should be canceled for any other reason, the football unit/cheerleading director and/or the head coaches will communicate the cancellation. A representative of the Canton Lions will be at the field to inform parents of the cancellation.

Equipment

Cheer

CHEERLEADING EQUIPMENT (provided by the club)

• Running Suit

• Shell

• Shirt

• Crop Top

• Cheerleading Bag

• Pom Poms

• Rain Jacket

ADDITIONAL CHEERLEADING EQUIPMENT (to be purchased by parents)

If you have any questions, please contact the Cheer Unit Director before purchasing anything.

• Cheer shoes and Socks

• Underpants/brief

• Hair ribbon/bow

• Headband

• Gloves

*Ordering direction is provided by the Cheer Unit Director.

Cheer typically collects a “slush fund” to pay for Cheer Rally gifts, homecoming outfits, rally outfits, and any additional costs incurred for cheer. In the past, this has ranged from $85 to $110.