Special Olympics Brevard Cheerleaders Needed

By Jennifer Sangalang
Florida Today

There’s a cheerleading group in town — and they need a little L-O-V-E.

The Special Olympics Brevard cheerleading team seeks members, volunteer coaches and community support. So says Joanna Kiel, head cheerleading coach.

The 28-year-old former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader coached a Special Olympics cheerleading team in Maryland. One of her favorite cheerleaders was her youngest sister and biggest fan, 23-year-old Lexi Tippett, who has Down syndrome.

“With my experience with Special Olympics, performing is their favorite thing to do,” she said. “They love practice, but when the team can get out at a huge venue, they are beyond excited. It makes them feel included. Just like they’ve watched their family members perform — now it’s their turn.”

Sign-ups begin Feb. 2 at the Special Olympics Brevard office in Rockledge. For the 2015 season, there were eight girls on the team. Currently, there’s almost 20, and many more are welcome. Kiel’s Maryland team had more than 60 cheerleaders.

“Special Olympics Brevard has many, many sports that I don’t think people are aware of,” Kiel said. In addition to growing the cheer program, though, she hopes the team will make it to the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando for the state championships in the fall.

“We condition, we train, we learn new skills,” she added. “We’re working with the local high schools so that our cheerleading team can perform at some of their games.”

Boys and girls are needed for the Special Olympics cheerleading team — any age, any skill level, any ability.

“As far as Special Olympics go, it’s any person in the special needs community,” Kiel said. “We’re not afraid of any severe disabilities. Anybody that wants to be a part of it can be a part of it.”

Ways to help

• Transportation: Travel could be an issue for someone with special needs. “If we were able to help get the funds to help transport (children with special needs to) the competition, that would be amazing,” Kiel said.

• Donations: Funds raised will go toward cheerleading uniforms, hair bows and tennis shoes.

• Volunteers: With Special Olympics, usually four or six coaches are needed per team — a cheer and dance background isn’t required. Also, students who need service hours could volunteer.

Thanks to her NFL cheerleading days, Kiel knows all about the adrenaline that comes with performing for large crowds. But nothing beats the experience of seeing her sister, Lexi, put on a cheerleading outfit and perform.

“At the end it’s just pure waterworks,” she said. “When it’s over, you’re unbelievably proud.”

The first full practice for the Special Olympics Brevard cheerleading team is set for Feb. 16 at Freedom Athletics in Rockledge.