Who We Are
We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation that delivers standards and policy for the Australian Cheer and Dance community, as well as management of Australian National teams representing our country.
The Australian Cheer Union is the fusion of two organisations:
ACU (Australian Cheer Union) and ACSA (Australian Cheer Sport Alliance).
ACU (established in 2019) and ACSA (established in 2017) merged together into a unified body in 2024, with one ultimate objective:
To create a single peak national body with the goal of formalising the role that the sports key stakeholders (coaches, gym owners and event producers) have needed over the last 15 years – being to stimulate, encourage and regulate the sporting disciplines of cheerleading and dance within Australia.
We are the pre-eminent organisation taking responsibility for the development of the sport on a National level and our mission and purpose are to advance the sport of Cheerleading and Performance Cheerleading (Dance) by focusing on healthy competition and participation as well as overall growth for the sport in Australia.
The ACU believes that a good strong governance structure is important in ensuring the integrity of our industry and allows us the best platform to advance the sport of Cheerleading.
Our Objectives
The ACU has a number of Objectives that we wish to achieve in the Cheer and Dance community.
These are the core priorities of our organisation:
National Recognition
Fulfilling all the requirements of the Australian Sports Commission to be awarded the title of a National Sports Organisation. This will unlock significant opportunities for athletes and coaches to engage their local & state governments for funding and participant support as well as give the sport access to resources such as the National Sport Integrity Framework.
Safety & Rules
Establishing and maintaining standardised rules, safety guidelines and competition standards across all disciplines of the sport that drive outcomes aligned with the overall goals of the organisation.
Education
Establishing a training curriculum and accreditation process for coaches and judges. ACU will aim for these programs to be certified and they will be based on the current Industry standard accreditation. It will also facilitate IASF accreditation for coaches with teams travelling internationally.
Growth of the Sport
Promoting our sport to the wider community and foster growth within our grassroot initiatives & encourage and develop the growth of performance cheer & dance programs.
Edward Miles
President
Board Member
Edward has been a part of the Australian cheer industry since 2011 as a gym owner, and from 2013 onwards as a coach. Edward’s significant business and marketing background is a key driver for his involvement in ACSA and the ACU. He aims to encourage the promotion of our sport nationally and set up long lasting communication between each part of our industry towards becoming a wider community working towards the same goals.
Ashley Benstead
Vice President
Board Member
Biography coming soon...
Danelle Cooney
Team Australia Director
Board Member
Danelle is the Co-Owner and Program Director of Melbourne Cheer Academy. Danelle won the 2019 AASCF Mentor of the Year award and has previously worked on the ACSA board as the first gym owner representative. Her work in the industry has included policy development, education for gym owners and advocating for vulnerable groups. Danelle is passionate about representing and supporting gym owners and coaches and assisting them to build a community focused on the protection and positive development of the children and young people in our sport.
Jasmine Crowsley
Board Member
Biography coming soon...
Dena Piro
Secretary
Board Member
Dena has over 15years experience in All Star Cheer and Dance as an athlete, coach and Gym Owner. Her South Australian based program began all the way from hobby program and has evolved over the years into a full scale club in its own facilities. Dena looks forward to being a part of developing a better future for the Sport of Cheerleading & Dance in Australia.
Danielle Jimenez
Board Member
Danielle is the proud Managing Director of CheerCon along with her husband Alexander Jimenez. Danielle has been involved in Cheer & Dance for 16 years and was the original owner and head coach at Starlets Cheerleading in Sydney, sold in 2017 after 13 successful years. Danielle was also part of the GNSW Cheerleading committee in previous years. Danielle is passionate about the healthy growth of Cheer & Dance through the combination of Gym owners, EP's and valued experts in our Local and International community working together towards common goals.
Dustin Lowrey
Board Member
Biography coming soon...
