Ultimate Cheer Mum: Competition Survival Guide
Written by a seasoned Elite Cheer Mum - Nicole.
Competition day is one of the most exciting parts of cheer & dance, the sparkles, the uniforms, the big smiles, the team spirit, and of course, the moment your athlete steps onto the floor.
But let’s be honest: behind every confident cheerleader is usually a very prepared cheer mum with bobby pins, hairspray, snacks, water bottles, backup lipstick, and probably a coffee in hand.
Whether it’s your first competition or your fifth season, a little preparation goes a long way. Here are my top tips to help cheer mums feel organised, calm, and ready to enjoy the day.
1. Preparation Is Everything
Competition mornings are much smoother when you are organised ahead of time. One of the best things you can do is create a dedicated cheer/dance kit that stays packed and ready to go.
Your kit might include:
Hair essentials:
Bobby pins, hair ties, hair nets for buns, gel, wax stick or slick stick, smoothing brush, and hairspray.
Makeup essentials:
Make up wipes, bronzer, eyeshadow palettes, lipstick, lip liner, blush, lashes, and makeup brushes.
Handy extras:
Micellar water, cotton tips, safety pins, small emergency sewing kit, spare socks/undies/black bike shorts, toiletries, band aids, quick access lollies and anything else your athlete may need in a pinch.
Having everything in one place saves so much stress when you are trying to get out the door on time.
2. Set Up the Night Before
The less you need to think about on competition morning, the better.
Before bed, try to:
Lay out your athlete’s uniform, shoes, socks, and bow.
Pack their competition bag.
Lay out your own outfit.
Fill water bottles.
Organise snacks.
Charge your phone and portable battery pack.
Purchase tickets in advance, if possible.
Put petrol in the car.
Get an early night.
A calm night-before routine can make the whole next day feel easier.
Don’t Forget Crossovers
If your athlete is crossing over into another cheer or dance team, pack a separate costume bag and place it in the car the night before.
Include anything they may need, such as costume pieces, shoes, hair accessories, brush, straightener, pom poms, and any extra performance items.
Competition days can be busy, so separating crossover items helps make sure nothing gets left behind.
3. Know Your Schedule
Competition days run on tight timelines, so knowing your schedule is key.
Print or save your competition program and review it before the day. Highlight your athlete’s performance times, warm-up times, and any important arrival details.
A great tip is to set alarms in your phone for:
10 mins before Meet time.
10 mins before Performance time.
Your leave-home time.
30 mins before departure.
Those little reminders can prevent a lot of last-minute rushing.
4. Keep Competition Morning Calm
Your athlete will take their cues from you, so try to keep the energy positive and relaxed.
Play some music, keep the mood light, and make sure everyone has eaten a good breakfast at least an hour or more before competing. A balanced meal with protein can help provide lasting energy.
It’s also worth packing extra snacks for the day. Competitions can run for several hours, and athletes often need to refuel between performances, awards, and team photos.
A few lollies can also be handy for a quick energy boost if your athlete starts to feel flat. They are great to have just before your athlete goes into the warm up room for that quick burst pick me up.
Remember: a relaxed parent helps create a relaxed athlete.
5. Hair, Makeup & Uniform Checks Matter
Presentation is part of the sport, and a quick final check before you leave home can save a lot of panic later.
Make sure hair is secure and competition-ready. Pin the bow in before leaving home rather than waiting until you arrive at the venue. Bows are one of the easiest things to forget when everyone is rushing.
Using multiple bobby pins crossed at the back can help keep the bow secure all day.
Before you walk out the door, double-check:
Uniform.
Shoes.
Socks.
Bow.
Hair.
Makeup.
Competition bag.
A polished, stage-ready athlete will feel more confident walking into the venue.
6. At the Competition: Find Your Cheer Family
Once you arrive, find your team support crew and sit together where possible. Wearing club merchandise makes it easier to spot familiar faces and helps create a strong team presence.
Getting to know other parents is invaluable. Cheer families often rely on one another for support, encouragement, and the occasional emergency bobby pin, lipstick, hairspray, or spare pair of socks.
The parents on your athlete’s team become part of your team too. Some of the strongest friendships are built through cheer & dance.
7. Support Loudly and Proudly
Stay and support your team, and where possible, cheer on other teams from your club too.
The athletes can hear support from the floor, and having a loud, positive crowd behind them makes a real difference. Your encouragement helps build confidence and reminds them that their hard work is being celebrated.
Cheer loudly. Clap proudly. Celebrate every athlete.
8. Trust the Coaches
Competition days are busy, emotional, and high-pressure for coaches. They are managing warm-ups, performance times, athlete nerves, music, moral, scores, parents, multiple teams and team routines all at once.
Trust that your coaches are focused on giving your athletes the best possible chance to succeed.
If you have questions or concerns, it’s best to save them for after the competition, when everyone has had time to decompress and reflect properly.
9. Build Community Within the Club
Cheerleading is more than a sport. It’s a community.
Whenever you can, look for opportunities to contribute to your club. That might mean volunteering, helping at events, lending a hand to another parent, or simply showing up with a positive attitude.
Your athlete loves seeing you involved, and your support helps strengthen the culture of the club.
10. Remember What Matters Most
At the heart of it all, cheer is about the kids.
Leave gossip, cliques, and drama at the door. They distract from what we are really here for: supporting our athletes.
Be inclusive.
Be kind.
Look out for one another.
Celebrate the wins.
Support through the disappointments.
Create the kind of environment you want your athlete to grow up in.
The culture we create as parents flows directly through to our athletes and their teams.
Final Cheer Mum Reminder
Competition day does not have to feel overwhelming. With a little preparation, a positive mindset, and a supportive cheer family around you, it can become one of the most rewarding parts of your athlete’s cheer journey.
Pack the bobby pins. Bring the snacks. Charge your phone. Cheer loud.
And most importantly…
Don’t forget the coffee.
At Infinity Athletics, they are so grateful for the amazing families who support our athletes every step of the way. Your encouragement, kindness, and club spirit help make competition days special.
If you need anything at all, be sure to lean on your community of other cheer mums in the team and at Infinity, everyone has the same goal, to have happy, awesome kids!
Have a great competition weekend!
-Nicole M.
