Cheerleading classes available for special needs children

Cheer Alliance of St. Charles is offering free classes in cheerleading to children with special needs.

Cheer Alliance owner Kellie Varga founded the Wild Cats program for special needs children, and new sessions will begin in 2009.

Classes will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 3, 10, 24, 31 and Feb. 7 at 1500 Foundry, Unit #3 in St. Charles.

Special needs athletes will learn the basics of cheerleading and a choreographed routine to perform at a local competition on March 1. The practices will consist of cheering, tumbling, stunting, jumps and pyramids. Each cheerleader will be coached by a certified instructor and will receive a varsity brand uniform. Girls will receive hair bows.

According to Varga, special needs teams have been a part of All Star cheerleading for seven years. There are about 160 teams across the U.S. and Canada. Cheer Alliance of St. Charles is the only gym in the area offering this opportunity.

Annette Pritz is assistant director and head coach of the Wild Cats team.

For information, visit cheer-alliance.com, call (630 587-2075, or e-mail Pritz at annettep@cheer-alliance.com.