Cheerleading is a very well coordinated series of activities intended to provide supporters with entertainment at sporting events. Originating in the United States (where there are an estimated 1.5 million cheerleaders), Cheerleading is now officially a competitive sport. http://cheerleading.about.com/od/skillsandabilities/a/031002a.htm

At the highest levels, Cheerleading is in itself a sport. Participants are called Cheerleaders and perform tumbles, dances, jumps, cheers, stunts and complex tricks which are very physically demanding. Some observers dismiss cheerleading as a sport, but cheerleaders at the top level of competition are actually very serious athletes and very fit. Cheerleading is very strenuous and is comparable to athletes in other sports. In various countries now there are local/national competitions as well as an international competition, which is broadcast by ESPN each year.

Cheerleading is now truly a global sport and is participated in all of these countries Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The majority of these countries have National Associations regulating the sport of Cheerleading in that country.

Cheerleading has its own costumes including very recognizable uniforms. For women, these include tight fitting snug tops and short/mini skirts for women, with men wearing much more conservative pants. http://www.cheerworld.co.uk/ Cheerleading also has its own equipment including batons, pom poms, and flags, these are incorporated into cheerleading routines.

Cheerleading began during the 1880s at Princeton University. http://www.experiencefestival.com/cheerleading_-_stuntstumbling Crowds began to shout/cheer their team on at University sports games. The first recorded, Cheerleading event happened in 1898 at the University of Minnesota when Johnny Campbell led a cheer. http://www.helium.com/items/968929-the-history-of-cheerleading The earliest recorded cheerleading squads were all male. Women joined the sport in 1923. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/aug/17/peewee-boyz-cheerleaders Women are now substantially the major sex participating in Cheerleading throughout the world. For some women Cheerleading is seen as a career path to careers in modelling, dance and theatre. At the highest levels (e.g. NFL) Cheerleaders are actually celebrities and well known in their area and can earn a lot of money through modeling and endorsements.