Challenges in Long-Term Sport Management: The Case of Cheerleading in Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to analyze how cheerleading has been structured in Brazil and explore the perspectives for its long-term development. The research focuses on three critical areas: the professionalization of management, the requirement for specific training in physical education, and the expansion of the sport to the school category. Methodology: The research adopted an exploratory qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven experienced cheerleading coaches from the metropolitan area of São Paulo, all with at least five years of experience in the sport. The interviews focused on topics such as sustainable growth strategies, team management challenges, and future perspectives for cheerleading. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis methodology with the support of the Atlas.ti software version 9.1.7, following the structure of pre-analysis, coding, and categorization proposed by Bardin. Results and Discussion: The analysis of the interviews revealed three main themes for the sustainable management of cheerleading in Brazil: 1) The professionalization of cheerleading management, highlighting the need for a more robust organizational structure and the importance of professional practices to attract sponsorships and investments. 2) The requirement for specific training in physical education for coaches, pointing to the need for programs that combine theory and practice and the inclusion of cheerleading in academic curricula. 3) The expansion of cheerleading to the school category, emphasizing the importance of starting training from a young age to create a solid base of young athletes and promote the sport as part of education and social inclusion. Final Considerations/Conclusion: The study concludes that for cheerleading to develop robustly and sustainably in Brazil, transitioning to professional management and creating specific training programs are essential. Introducing cheerleading into school programs and strengthening the Brazilian Confederation of Cheerleading and Dance (CBCD) are crucial steps to consolidate the sport as a competitive and widely recognized activity. Collaboration among managers, athletes, educators, and regulatory bodies will be fundamental for the continuous growth and success of cheerleading in the Brazilian sports scenario.