Cheerleading Will be Classified as a Sport in New York

New York education officials are moving to recognize competitive cheerleading as a sport for the safety of its participants.

A committee of the state Board of Regents approved the proposal Monday and the full board is expected to consider it Tuesday.

The Regents say the measure will help ensure that coaches are properly trained and that schools follow a common set of standards. Right now, there are no limits on the length of seasons or required practice days.

New York has been considering whether to recognize cheerleading – with its pyramids, tosses, and tumbling -as an interscholastic sport since 2009. State officials say 34 states and the District of Columbia currently do so.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has already drafted proposed rules and regulations.