Latest news with #Varsity
4 days ago
- Sport
Cheerleaders can now go pro: Varsity Spirit's new league offers pay
Varsity Spirit is starting a professional cheerleading league that promises to pay athletes, joining the crowded niche sports market that already includes softball, volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, lacrosse, indoor football and more clamoring for both fans' attention and their dollars. Pro Cheer League is billed as the first professional cheerleading league for athletes 18 and older designed to give cheerleaders the chance to keep competing after college. Bill Seely, president of Varsity Spirit based in Memphis, Tennessee, sees plenty of opportunity for all these sports to succeed. This cheer league's advantage comes from the sport's growth since the 1970s along with Varsity's own fan base through its cheerleading, dance team camps, events and shows. 'That's going to help us really kind of build this out in a way that is sustainable and will continue to grow not just domestically but globally," Seely said. Varsity Spirit has had more than 80,000 people attend its events. The Pro Cheer League will try to tap into that fan base by competing the same night of other events starting in January in Indianapolis when competition begins. The league will feature four teams stocked with 30 male and female athletes based in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and San Diego. Teams will be selected from tryouts starting in September led by gym owners. Practice begins in November. After Indianapolis, five more events are planned in Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim and capped by the championship in Nashville at the end of March or start of April. Each match will feature three periods of competition with two focusing on cheerleading skills, stunts, basket tosses and tumbling in bracket-style rounds. The final period will feature choreography and music. 'We hope a media deal, which we're working on right now, will help kind of bridge beyond the existing fan base," Seely said. 'And we're trying to build something that entertains families, friends and gives everyone just a great show that they want to come out to." Best for the cheerleaders will be money for their athleticism. Compensation will include pay, money for travel, lodging and uniforms along with bonuses and prizes. Seely noted stunt is on track for NCAA championship status for women by spring 2027 after being designated an emerging sport in 2023. The International Olympic Committee recognized cheerleading as a sport in 2021. They've already had interest from would-be competitors from across the U.S. with some from Canada and even a couple from Europe. 'We just felt like it was the right next step for the activity and to really kind of magnify it to help inspire young people to participate in it,' Seely said. ___
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Tuks law student is fast in E-sports and in the cockpit of jets
Tuks law student is fast in E-sports and in the cockpit of jets To say Ronald Wheeldon is an adrenaline junkie would not be an exaggeration. When the Tuks law student is not sitting in lecture halls or studying, he is likely to be zipping through the air at 1000 kilometres per hour. But Wheeldon is also building a reputation as a formidable dualist in Varsity E-sports' Valorant League. In a profile article on the Varsity E-sports website, his virtues are extolled as follows: 'Beyond raw mechanical skill, he serves as the team's 'In-Game Leader'. Orchestrating plays and making critical strategic calls. He takes on the responsibility of determining the approach. Leading the charge and adapting instantly when plans go awry. Quick and effective communication is his weapon'. 'I believe speed is the key to winning most gun fights. A stun or blind gives you those few seconds of opportunity and being aggressive takes the initiative in winning these fights,' he said during an interview with the website. The strategy is undoubtedly working for Tuks. The team has won four of the six games they played, which means they have qualified for the Varsity semifinals. They will face off against Ikeys. The two teams of Maties are contesting each other in the other semifinal. Wheeldon makes no secret of why he does what he does. He is an adrenaline junkie. 'During a Valorant game, when you are in a tense combat situation, the adrenaline is pumping. It is the same with flying. I am passionate about aerobatics. When you are flying a jet at 1000 kilometres per hour, it gets the adrenaline out of the box straight through the roof. You cannot replace it with anything. It is exhilarating,' he remarked. To put things in perspective. Wheeldon's father, Ron, has been doing air shows for over 30 years. His favourite plane is the Hawker Hunter, of which he has two. The younger Wheeldon is an accomplished pilot himself and has performed with his dad at airshows. 'It started when I was a kid playing Lego Star Wars. I don't like losing. That's never going to change,' he commented. When asked what it takes to be competitive in Valorant, Wheeldon answers by saying that it helps to be fit. Then, he mentions that a strong head is crucial. 'The mental side in E-sports is a big part. If you enter a match thinking that things are going to go wrong, then they will. Being in good physical shape is essential because reaction time is key to winning games. If someone 'swings' at you, you must click as fast as possible. In about two milliseconds; otherwise, you will be losing,' he explained. As to his role as dualist for the Tuks team, Wheeldon said his job is to get the first 'peg' to create space. 'Space is essential in attack. If you can't create space, you usually end up stagnant. That is when things start to go wrong,' he said. A definite highlight for Wheeldon was when he got the chance to play in the Apex Legends Global Series' European competition. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Cheerleaders can now go pro: Varsity Spirit's new league offers pay
Varsity Spirit is starting a professional cheerleading league that promises to pay athletes, joining the crowded niche sports market that already includes softball, volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, lacrosse, indoor football and more clamoring for both fans' attention and their dollars. Pro Cheer League is billed as the first professional cheerleading league for athletes 18 and older designed to give cheerleaders the chance to keep competing after college. Bill Seely, president of Varsity Spirit based in Memphis, Tennessee, sees plenty of opportunity for all these sports to succeed. This cheer league's advantage comes from the sport's growth since the 1970s along with Varsity's own fan base through its cheerleading, dance team camps, events and shows. 'That's going to help us really kind of build this out in a way that is sustainable and will continue to grow not just domestically but globally,' Seely said. Varsity Spirit has had more than 80,000 people attend its events. The Pro Cheer League will try to tap into that fan base by competing the same night of other events starting in January in Indianapolis when competition begins. The league will feature four teams stocked with 30 male and female athletes based in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and San Diego. Teams will be selected from tryouts starting in September led by gym owners. Practice begins in November. After Indianapolis, five more events are planned in Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim and capped by the championship in Nashville at the end of March or start of April. Each match will feature three periods of competition with two focusing on cheerleading skills, stunts, basket tosses and tumbling in bracket-style rounds. The final period will feature choreography and music. 'We hope a media deal, which we're working on right now, will help kind of bridge beyond the existing fan base,' Seely said. 'And we're trying to build something that entertains families, friends and gives everyone just a great show that they want to come out to.' Best for the cheerleaders will be money for their athleticism. Compensation will include pay, money for travel, lodging and uniforms along with bonuses and prizes. Seely noted stunt is on track for NCAA championship status for women by spring 2027 after being designated an emerging sport in 2023. The International Olympic Committee recognized cheerleading as a sport in 2021. They've already had interest from would-be competitors from across the U.S. with some from Canada and even a couple from Europe. 'We just felt like it was the right next step for the activity and to really kind of magnify it to help inspire young people to participate in it,' Seely said. ___ AP sports: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cheerleaders can now go pro: Varsity Spirit's new league offers pay
Varsity Spirit is starting a professional cheerleading league that promises to pay athletes, joining the crowded niche sports market that already includes softball, volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, lacrosse, indoor football and more clamoring for both fans' attention and their dollars. Pro Cheer League is billed as the first professional cheerleading league for athletes 18 and older designed to give cheerleaders the chance to keep competing after college. Bill Seely, president of Varsity Spirit based in Memphis, Tennessee, sees plenty of opportunity for all these sports to succeed. This cheer league's advantage comes from the sport's growth since the 1970s along with Varsity's own fan base through its cheerleading, dance team camps, events and shows. 'That's going to help us really kind of build this out in a way that is sustainable and will continue to grow not just domestically but globally,' Seely said. Varsity Spirit has had more than 80,000 people attend its events. The Pro Cheer League will try to tap into that fan base by competing the same night of other events starting in January in Indianapolis when competition begins. The league will feature four teams stocked with 30 male and female athletes based in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and San Diego. Teams will be selected from tryouts starting in September led by gym owners. Practice begins in November. After Indianapolis, five more events are planned in Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim and capped by the championship in Nashville at the end of March or start of April. Each match will feature three periods of competition with two focusing on cheerleading skills, stunts, basket tosses and tumbling in bracket-style rounds. The final period will feature choreography and music. 'We hope a media deal, which we're working on right now, will help kind of bridge beyond the existing fan base,' Seely said. 'And we're trying to build something that entertains families, friends and gives everyone just a great show that they want to come out to.' Best for the cheerleaders will be money for their athleticism. Compensation will include pay, money for travel, lodging and uniforms along with bonuses and prizes. Seely noted stunt is on track for NCAA championship status for women by spring 2027 after being designated an emerging sport in 2023. The International Olympic Committee recognized cheerleading as a sport in 2021. They've already had interest from would-be competitors from across the U.S. with some from Canada and even a couple from Europe. 'We just felt like it was the right next step for the activity and to really kind of magnify it to help inspire young people to participate in it,' Seely said. ___ AP sports:
Otago Daily Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Former Otago Spirit captain tackling agribusiness
Julia Gorinski reckons some of the skills she learned on the rugby field may come in handy in her new role in the banking field. Ms Gorinski, 30, is a household name in Otago rugby, as the former Otago Spirit captain, Matatū Super Rugby Aupiki player and Varsity veteran. Having hung up her representative boots last year after playing her 65th cap for the Otago Spirit in the Farah Palmer Cup championship final, she moved straight into the Varsity coaching role this season. A few weeks ago, she became Westpac's Otago-Southland agribusiness manager, a role which included overseeing other managers and she reckoned that could be where some of her captaining skills were useful. Brought up on the Taieri, Ms Gorinski had her heart set on becoming a vet, but she did not enjoy Palmerston North and returned south after one semester. Attending a careers expo, she saw rural banking being promoted and, with a love of farming and an enjoyment of economics, business and accounting at school, she decided that could be the ideal job. In 2016, she graduated from the University of Otago with a commerce degree, with a double major in accounting and finance, and a diploma in environmental management, something she could see would be important to assist with farming into the future. She also quipped it was an opportunity to stay at university longer to keep playing sport. She could not initially get an agri-banking job, so she had a short stint working as an accountant but discovered it was not for her. She had never previously had an office job — she was a keen outdoors girl who had worked on farms around the area and qualified as an AI technician — and this role was solely "number crunching". Nearly eight years ago, she got a job with Westpac as an agri-analyst and became a manager two years after she started and then a senior manager with her own client portfolio. With her latest promotion, she would probably keep a handful of clients, but the role was mostly about overseeing other managers and the wider customer base. She worked closely with portfolio manager Debbie Hunter, who had been with the bank for 12 years and had a wealth of experience, and her support had made it easier for Ms Gorinski to step into the role. Ms Gorinski felt a sense of loyalty to Westpac; they gave her "a crack" at the beginning of her career and she was only in her mid-20s when she got a manager's role. She also liked the way the bank did business, and the autonomy given to staff to help customers. She intended staying with the bank and also staying in the South. She loved being in a rural team and, while it had been a challenging few years, things were "certainly on the way up" in the rural sector. Saying her degree in hard work came from her father, she had learned plenty growing up in shearing sheds and picking up lambs at tailing time. Working with farmers was a highlight of her job and she found it a good mix of practical farming — even though she was not working on-farm — and crunching numbers. It was also nice to see farmers' businesses expand and grow. As far as her rugby involvement, Ms Gorinski played a couple of games this season which she enjoyed — "til I woke up on Sunday". Coaching had been a good way to ease her way out of playing and her new job had also given her a new focal point, although she expected it would be a bit harder when the Otago season rolled around.
