CHEERLEADING
Affinity Gymnastics Academy was established in early 2018 by our founder and current president, Ryan Jones, to provide the Selwyn district with a dedicated full-sized gymnast facility. Following the success of Affinity Gymnastics Academy and the popularity growth of Cherrleading in New Zealand, Affinity Cheerleading Academy was added to the Affinity Family from April .2020. The addition of Cheerleading is considered complimentary to our gymnastics programme and cheerleaders at Affinity have the benefit of training in a dedicated facility with the use of sprung floor, dead floor and specialist tumbling equipment.
Cheerleading is a high energy, performance-based sport that heavily relies on trusting ones team members and a regular attendance. It involves acrobatic stunts, pyramids, tumbling, jumps, and dance. It is a great way to increase fitness, create lifelong friendships, and can help to improve confidence and self-esteem. Cheerleading was officially recognised as a sport on 31 May 2013 at the Annual General Assembly of Sports Accord in St Petersburg.
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If you are interested in our Cheer programme, or have any questions, please email cheer@affinitygymnastics.co.nz or download our 2025 Information Pack
CHEER FUN (RECREATIONAL CLASSES)
Best suited for ages 5 – 10 years, recreational cheerleading is great for building the foundational skills of cheerleading.
Time: Sunday 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm
Cost: $179 per term
Commitment period: Term
Competitions: No
Other info:
- No experience required – just sign up!
- Start and end at any point in the year – enrol on a term-by-term basis.
- No uniform requirements. However, a pair of clean, soft-sole sneakers are required to train in.
CHEER SPORT CLASSES
Available for ages 6 - 18 years. Cheer Sport is a great introduction to competitive cheerleading. Throughout the year athletes will work on a 1:30 minute routine to perform at local (i.e., Christchurch) and virtual* competitions. Athletes need to be prepared to commit to their team for a full year (or until the competition season is over).
Time: Sunday 3:30pm - 5:00pm or 6:15pm - 7:45pm
Cost: $203 per term + competition costs
Commitment period: Year
Competitions: Yes – Virtual* only or Christchurch-based (no travelling required)
Other info:
- Previous gymnastics, dance, or acrobatic experience is beneficial but not necessary.
- We have two Cheer Sport teams (Pythons – our Primary School team and Vortex – our High School team). Intermediate athletes can join either team and coaches will advise the best option based on skill level and maturity.
- Requires purchase of Affinity Cheerleading t-shirt, team hair accessory, a pair of black shorts, leggings, or fitted track pants, and a pair of clean, soft-sole sneakers**.
- Download our 2025 Information Pack for more information on costs, training days, and competitions.
* Athletes routine is filmed in the gym and sent off for assessment against other Cheer Sport teams.
** It is recommended that if your athlete has a flying role on the team they have a pair of cheer shoes as these are nicer for bases to hold. Option to buy cheer shoes Premium Cheerleading Shoes & Apparel | Cheer Amor’e
COMPETITIVE (CHEER PASSION) CLASSES
Best suited for ages 8 – 15 years with previous cheerleading, dance, gymnastics, or aerobics experience (although not always necessary). Throughout the year athletes will work on a 2:30 minute routine to perform at competitions. Athletes need to be prepared to commit to their team for a full year, including twice weekly trainings and all scheduled competitions (please download our Information Pack for more information).
Time: Sunday 4:30pm – 6:30pm and Wednesday 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm
Cost: $371 per term + competition costs
Commitment period: Year
Competitions: Yes – North and South Island travel is required
Other info:
- Athletes must trial for the team – please contact cheer@affinitygymnastics.co.nz to arrange a trial.
- Requires purchase of Affinity Cheerleading competition uniform, team hair accessory, an Affinity Cheerleading t-shirt, and a pair of cheer shoes.
- Download our 2025 Information Pack for more information on costs, training days, and competitions.
TUMBLE CLASSES
For athletes who want to expand their tumble skills. Our tumble class is best suited to athletes who are comfortable doing handstands and cartwheels and want to extend their tumble skills and work on round offs, walkovers, and handsprings. Athletes who want to compete a solo or duo routine (see below) need to enroll in the tumble class.
Time: Wednesday 7:15 pm – 8:15 pm
Cost: $179 per term
Commitment period: Term
Competitions: No (unless the athlete wants to perform a solo or duo routine – see below)
Other info:
SPECIALITY ITEMS
A specialty item focus on some of the elements of cheerleading for a 1-minute performance. Specialty divisions available are:
- Indi/Solo, an individual performs a combination of jumps, tumble, and dance.
- Duo, a group of 2 performs a combination of jumps, tumble, and dance.
- Group Stunt, a group of 4 or 5 people performing stunts.
- Partner Stunt, a group of 2 people performing stunts.
Athletes who want to compete a solo or duo routine need to enrol in the tumble class. Download our 2025 Information Pack for more information on costs, training days, and competitions. Please email us if your athlete is interested in doing a speciality item.
Training Attire
A fitted t-shirt or singlet, fitted shorts, leggings or pants. Long hair tied up, short nails, no jewellery, and clean, white, soft soled shoes. Please avoid clothing items containing zips, belts, buckles, domes, or hoodies. Thermals and crew neck sweatshirts are great in the cold weather.
Trial Sessions
Trial sessions are available for all classes and cost $15 (one-off payment).This will subtract from your term fee is your athlete is interested in signing up after their trial.
Costs
If this is your first time with Affinity, there is a one-off membership fee of: $20 (new members only) for joining Affinity. Please see our 2025 Information Pack for costs additional to the Term fees listed above.
