
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
The Australian Cheer Union was established in 2019. We are the only Australian Federation recognised by the International Cheer Union.
We were formed as a Not-for-Profit organisation and our mission and purpose are to advance the sport of Cheerleading and Performance Cheerleading by focusing on healthy competition and participation as well as overall growth for the industry 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.
Meet Our Board
KELSIE HOGAN
Appointed Director
National Advisory Committee
Kelsie has been passionate about dance and cheer for as long as she can remember. Being in the industry for over two decades, coming from all paths. From an athlete/dancer to coach, onto gym/studio owner, choreographer and Certified International Dance and Cheer Judge with ICU. She has many accolades to her name and is ever driving herself to learn more, teach more and help our industry grow for both all star and grass roots programs. Kelsie is appreciative to work with ACU giving our community the support to reach new heights.
RYAN MARVEGGIO
Elected Director
National Advisory Committee
Ryan brings a great amount of life and business experience to the Australian Cheer Union Board as well as immense passion for sport and the progression of athletes in sport. Having grown up in a professional environment being a former professional soccer player in Australia, Uk and Europe to running a successful studio within the field of Dance makes me uniquely experienced and passionate about this role.
Ryan is ambitious and goal driven who is a team player working for the greater good of all those involved.
SHELLY BAKKER
Secretary
Appointed Board Member
Rachel (Shelly) Baker has significant governance and management expertise as a consequence of her work experience. Shelly has also been a Board member of a non-profit Board for over 10 years and has been involved in the cheer industry for over 10 years. Shelley’s daughter was a member of Team Australia at the ICU world championships so is familiar with the sector structure and operational practices as well as the international and Australian developmental agenda.
LAURA CALA
Elected Board Member
Laura is an established choreographer, teacher and judge. With over 20 years of dance, cheerleading and performance experience, she has performed and choreographed for corporate functions, public shows, festivals, competitions, launches and more, both locally, state-wide and nationally.
Outside of dance and cheerleading; Laura is a highly experienced professional who has a strong business background across a range of sectors in WA; including education, not for profit and financial services. She has completed a Masters of Business Management and a Bachelor of Commerce. Laura is currently completing a Master of Laws in Enterprise Governance.
Laura is a member (MAICD) of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an Associate Fellow Member (AFAIM) at the Australian Institute of Management WA and an Associated Member (AMICDA) of the Institute of Community Directors Australia. Laura is the Coordinator, Community Builder at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and sits on numerous boards and committees throughout Australia.
Laura loves the opportunity that the Australian Cheer Union brings and looks forward to creating future impact within the sport
Meet Our Staff
Kym Grieve
Chief Executive Officer
Kym has 14 years experience in running a Not for Profit gymnastics and cheerleading club. Kym also had 13 years experience in a range of Human Resource and Financial Management roles within the QLD state government. Kym has also worked with Event Providers throughout Australia. She is excited to be involved in developing and growing cheerleading programs in Australia.
Vacant
Human Resource Officer
More information to come.
Vacant
Advertising and Marketing Officer
More information to come.
Vacant
Administrative Officer
More information to come.

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
2020-2023
OUR MISSION: to lead, promote, grow and champion Cheerleading in Australia
OUR VISION: to advance the sport of Cheerleading through focusing on healthy and inclusive competition, supporting the growth and development of our participants and exercising best practice governance and administration.
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OUR OPERATIONAL CONTEXT:
In 2008 Gymnastics Australia (GA) established Australian Cheerleading Union (ACU) as a wholly owned subsidiary of that National Sporting Organisation under the brand ‘AUS Cheer’. However, as a consequence of “Cheerleading [becoming] one of Australia’s fastest growing sports, which in turn has developed new requirements and attention to keep up with the growing demand”* GA divested itself of its leadership and management role as a result of its inability to meet this demand.
Following the separation of the cheerleading discipline from Gymnastics Australia’s National Sporting Organisation administrative umbrella in 2018, in May 2019 the International Cheer Union established the Australian Cheer Union (ACU) through creation of an Interim Board and appointment of Interim State Members to drive establishment of a National Federation.
Subsequent to that arrangement, the Interim Board and State Members initiated a range of corporate and policy development processes as well as working groups to lead development of a governance framework within and across the Australian Cheerleading community. Key outputs of this process as at 25 March 2020 include:
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acquisition of ASIC registration (Australian Cheer Union Ltd) and an ATO tax file number;
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ratification of a national constitution;
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conduct of an Annual General Meeting on 19 December 2019 and formal election of four (4) Directors to replace the Interim Board;
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establishment of an organisational bank account and attendant operating protocols for authorised officers;
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ratification of a national 2020-2023 Strategic Plan and subordinate 2020 Operational Plan;
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ratification of Membership Protection, Anti-doping, Financial Management and Reporting, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies;
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establishment of working group(s) to advance development of organisational governance, membership structure, communication and marketing, a calendar of sanctioned events, Team Australia selection processes and
special abilities programs; and,
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products and processes to support the establishment of Interim State Boards.
It is the ACU Board’s desire that the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan provides a clear description of our developmental agenda and enabling strategies to help grow and shape the future of our sport into the future and across all Cheerleading disciplines.
* Gymnastics Australia, ACU Handover Notes, 2018, p3
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KEY STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES
Archieve recognition as a National Sporting Organisation
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Develop and activate State Boards and all required operational policies
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Confirm and market membership benefits and activate membership recruitment
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Recruit a Chief Executive Officer to lead and manage day to day ACU administrative operations
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Establish partnerships with commercial entities to secure sponsorship to supplement membership revenue, support financial sustainability and growth of an active, safe and inclusive Cheerleading community
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OUR VALUES:
Inclusion: We celebrate difference by supporting inclusive participation
Integrity: We strive to be ethical, trustworthy, transparent and respectful
Excellence: We seek to inspire a culture of excellence in everything that we do
Collaboration: We encourage harmonious participation through consultation and teamwork
Pride: We celebrate our accomplishments with respect, dignity and professionalism
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OUR GOALS AND ENABLING STRATEGIES:
Build awareness of Cheerleading with the general population
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Liaise and coordinate with Sport
Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee to achieve recognition as a National Sporting Organisation.
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Facilitate the development of a calendar of regional and state events culminating in qualification for a National Championship Event.
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Develop a strong brand and media profile by establishing media and social platform partnerships to increase awareness of our sport in the general population.
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Establish key financial sponsors to help fund our enabling strategies and supplement our membership revenue stream.
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Develop and roll out grassroots programs to build awareness of our sport and grow participation.
Create the infrastructure and support system to grow membership
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Create a mechanism to collect and
manage demographic membership
information nationwide
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Develop and implement a national
certification program for coaches
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Develop and implement a national
education program for judges
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Create resources such as guides and
networking opportunities to assist the development and expansion of cheerleading programs within Australia
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Create a scholarship program for high performance national athletes
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Create an ACU website to promote and market cheerleading and provide access to information and resources for our sport.
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Create links with Local and State Governments to create pathways for funding; supporting teams at local, nationalandinternationallevels; and advocacy on issues that affect the operation and development of our sport.
Define and support all disciplines of cheerleading
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Align cheerleading rules and scoring with
regional, state, national and international
organisations.
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Define cheerleading disciplines for
internal and external use
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Create a consistent Australian Cheer
Union brand for all cheerleading
disciplines within Australia.
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Create a marketing strategy for
promoting cheerleading in Australia
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Create a marketing strategy to promote
Australian cheerleading to the international community and encourage international participation in Australian cheerleading events.
Ensure participation in all international and high performance athletic events
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Establish and publish fair and transparent
processes for the selection of Team Australia representatives who participate at major events (in all categories).
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Work with State Members and Event Providers to establish a high performance program for identification and development of athletes and coaches from all disciplines of cheerleading.
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Establish a long term athlete, coach and judge developmental model to support recognition of cheerleading as a sport for life.
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Propose and support bids for International cheerleading competitions in Australia.