In MBQ-TMT (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte-Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory), Ontario, Community Mentor Amy Babcock has been doing Zumba dance sessions at her PLAY program, and has observed how much the youth enjoy dance and gymnastics activities versus traditional team sports. Amy has also been looking for a low-cost, low-equipment activity. Amy applied for the Right To Play cheerleading clinic, which gave an introduction to cheer for youth participants, and developed the capacity of local coaches to run cheer sessions in the community.

This winter, Right To Play partnered with Cheer Factory and MBQ-TMT to deliver 4 days of cheer training and activities. Three youth workers were trained by Megan Hunter, an amazing cheer athlete and coach from Cheer Factory, and applied their new coaching knowledge and skills in a workshop with 21 youth participants during the clinic.

With youth and adults now trained and ready, the new cheer squad hopes to promote and support the local lacrosse team, which has a dedicated following in MBQ!