BENEFITS of CHEER.

Being a cheerleader is more than strictly cheering on the sidelines or taking the competition mat. Cheerleading requires physical skill, strength and personal development as the athletes learn discipline, teamwork and goal setting, all while instilling confidence.

Sportsmanship
Cheer teaches athletes to be proud of their successes, accept defeat gracefully, and maintain respect for fellow competitors, no matter the final score.

Discipline

Cheer requires time, preparation and focus. Cheer training can help you learn discipline in a supportive, encouraging environment and will help you appreciate the correlation between preparation and success.

Teamwork 
The ability to be a team player is valuable in every stage of life. Cheer offers a great model to learn the basics of collaboration, cooperation and compromise. 

Physical & Mental Strength
Cheer involves a balance of cardio, resistance, flexibility and endurance training. The mental strength learned through cheerleading lasts a lifetime, as mental toughness can be applied to everyday situations. 

Confidence & Self-Esteem 
Standing on a stage or in front of a full stadium is no easy feat. From performing for a crowd, to serving as ambassadors at community events, to working a skill over and over to get it right, cheerleaders build confidence and self-esteem that will carry them through life. 

Content Inspired by https://www.varsity.com/news/benefits-of-cheer/

competition highlights.

2025 MA STATE COMPETITION

D12 - 3rd place

2025 CENTRAL MASS LOCALS

D8 - 3rd place

D12 - 2nd place

2025 FUN COMPETITION (NORTH)

D8 - 3rd place

D12 - 1st place

2024 CENTRAL MASS LOCALS

D12 - 2nd place

2022 CENTRAL MASS LOCALS

D12 - 2nd place

Sideline Cheer & Competition Squads

  • Cheerleaders must provide their own cheer sneakers, socks, hair bow and warm-up suits.

    Additional Information:

    • Warm-Ups are ordered by the Bengals

    • Hair bows will be ordered by the Coach

    • Pre-Season Jamboree Game (Sideline Cheer)

    • 8 Regular Season Games (Sideline Cheer)

    • Football Playoffs (Record Dependent, Sideline Cheer)

    • 2-5 Competitions (placement dependent)

    • Equipment: Uniform, Pompoms

  • Fundraising: Required to sell 10 raffle tickets ($10 each) by September 15th

    Volunteering: Volunteer as needed throughout the season (Ex: Game Day Needs, Events)

    Equipment: In-season care & cleaning, prompt return of equipment post season

    Paperwork: Cheerleader packet, payment, original birth certificate, report card and 2026 physical required to receive equipment

  • Practices are 90-120 minutes, two times per week; duration, days and time are determined by the coaching staff and will be announced prior to the start of the season.

    Practices are held at Taylor Field in Shirley, the Lunenburg High School or Ayer-Shirley Middle School gyms.

    Restrooms are available at all practice fields.

  • The season runs from late July through October.

    Each squad will cheer on the sidelines for games which are 90 (flex) to 120 (tackle) minutes.

    4 games are home and will be played at the Lunenburg High School (2) and the Ayer-Shirley High School (2). Away games are based on the CMYAF game schedule and will be played in Central Massachusetts.

    Game locations are subject to field availability. Schedule is posted in late August.

    All cheerleaders must be at games 30 minutes prior to the start for warm-ups.

    Concessions and restrooms are generally available at each field.

  • All Bengals squads are competitive squads and will compete in a minimum of 2 competitions (fun & local), with an opportunity to compete in up to 5 competitions (States, regionals, nationals), depending on how far they advance.

    2026 Competition Schedule:

    Fun Competition: September 20th @ Wachusett

    Locals: October 17th @ Lowell Auditorium

    States: November 8th @ Tsongas Center, Lowell

    Regionals: November 14th - 15th @ URI

    Nationals: December 2nd - 5th @ Florida

  • The Bengals program will use a combination of email and Facebook to communicate with parents.

    Coaches will communicate the schedule for your team, any changes and engage parents as needed to solicit for volunteers and share updates.

    Please make sure your email address is correct in Sports Engine.

    Join the Bengals Facebook Group and join your teams Facebook Group, if applicable.