Bartlett, Tenn., August 21, 2018 – USA Cheer, the National governing body for the sport of Cheer, in coordination with the US FISU Affiliate United States International University Sports Federation (USIUSF), has announced it is fielding a team to represent the U.S. at the inaugural 2018 FISU World University Cheerleading Championship, organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The event takes place October 5-6, 2018, in Lodz, Poland.

This Coed National Team delegation is comprised of 22 athletes, each of whom is a 2018 U.S. National Team member compliant with FISU’s student eligibility requirements. All were selected for their skill level and National Team experience under the FISU eligibility requirements, and USA Cheer and USIUSF look forward to the 2018 FISU U.S. Coed National Team representing the best of USA University cheerleading this coming October.

“We look forward to the chance to compete on a global stage outside of the U.S. Cheerleading’s roots began here, and we are so proud to see how it’s spread worldwide,” says Lauri Harris, Executive Director of USA Cheer. “The athletes are already hard at work training and perfecting their skills in anticipation of this trip.”

The first FISU World University Championship, for Handball, took place in Lund, Sweden 55 years ago. Today, there are 33 stand-alone World University Championship events, including this year’s World University Cheerleading Championship. The eligibility requirements are unique: the Championship is open to all student athletes between the ages of 17 and 25 who have not been out of university for more than a year, and are from any country with a recognized National Federation.

“We are excited for all of the athletes attending the FISU World University Championships, and wish them the best of luck,” says Jeff Webb, President of the International Cheer Union (ICU), the international governing body for Cheer, recognized by Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and provisionally recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “This championship will highlight the progress the Sport of Cheer has made all around the world – especially by university student athlete programs.  Following FISU’s mission to promote sports values and encourage sports practice in harmony with and complementary to the university spirit, we look forward to the performances of all teams competing.”

A fundraising page has been set up to help athletes raise additional funds for the trip to Poland. Visit USA Cheer’s page on eteamsponsor.com to learn more about the athletes and the trip.

For more information about USA Cheer, visit www.usacheer.org or contact Sheila Noone at media@usacheer.org.

About USA Cheer
The USA Federation for Sport Cheering is a not-for-profit organization and is the national governing body for all disciplines of cheerleading. USA Cheer exists to serve the entire cheer community, including club cheering (All Star), traditional school based cheer programs and the new sport of STUNT. USA Cheer has three primary objectives: help grow and develop interest and participation in Cheer throughout the United States; promote safety and safety education for cheer in the United States; and represent the United States of America in international cheer competitions.