This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
04/06/2017 12:00 AMFor the last few years, Kiley McAloon has put in some serious work as the lone coach in the Valley Youth Cheerleading organization. Kiley has been at the helm of the program since 2014 and, in that time, she’s seen her cheerleaders support their peers at Valley’s Youth Football games, while also cheering under the bright lights at the high school for the Warriors’ home contests. Since there is no cheerleading squad at Valley Regional, Kiley’s team of 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade girls from Chester, Deep River, and Essex provide the halftime entertainment for the crowd on Friday nights.
“It’s all pretty exciting with the process of them getting into the uniforms and the lights are on at the school,” says Kiley. “That fills us all up with so much adrenaline and energy, getting the girls ready for a routine.”
Kiley admits that she was initially a little apprehensive when her friend Sarah Wadle asked her to coach in Valley’s Youth Cheer program. Kiley, an Ivoryton resident, had been away from the sport since her high school days in Southbridge, Massachusetts, where the co-captain won a state title with her varsity squad. Eventually, Wadle convinced Kiley to hop aboard as the lead coach and choreographer for all the team’s routines. It’s turned out to be fortuitous for everyone involved because, as Kiley says, many of the girls would still be looking to find an activity to participate in without the youth program.
“It’s absolutely rewarding to see girls come into a program where they’ve tried multiple sports before and they’ve dropped out. They try it, but they can’t stay with it,” Kiley says. “Then they try cheerleading, and the parents think it will be the same, but they love it, and they keep coming back practice after practice, and they blossom. Nothing really worked for them, but this was the one program that did.”
As is the case for most youth cheer squads, Valley’s cheerleaders started off by rooting on the football players who are between the ages of seven and 13. However, enrollment in the football program dropped until it eventually merged with Old Saybrook. That was when Kiley decided to contact Valley Regional to see if her kids could cheer at the high school games instead. The pairing has proved a success, but no matter where her girls are cheering, Kiley emphasizes setting up a solid foundation for their skills. Since her program consists of girls with no prior cheer experience, Kiley has to prevent bad habits from developing, and she seizes that opportunity at every practice.
“I focus on basics. I want them to be sharp. I want their arms to be in the right position. I want them to be loud. I want them to be poised and professional,” says Kiley. “So at practices, it’s a lot, a lot of repetition with me walking around and giving them critiques. They have to be synchronized with each other. It makes them look incredible. We’ve had high school parents come up to us and say we were better than the other high school cheerleaders.”
When Kiley reflects upon how she formed her coaching style, she can’t help but think of Kerry Varin, who was her high school coach in Southbridge.
“Her leadership has made me the coach I can be today. Kind, but firm,” says Kiley. “She taught us to be proud of our talents, to be proud to be a cheerleader. Work incredibly hard and show everyone just how awesome you are, but be humble about it, have quiet confidence.”
Kiley’s former colleague Sarah Wadle is no longer a coach for Valley Youth Cheerleading, but she’s seen firsthand what Kiley brings to the program and her community. Wadle feels pleased that Kiley’s team is beginning to receive wider recognition these days.
“She really deserves it,” says Wadle. “When you’re coaching, it can feel overwhelming sometimes. Even though the kids and the parents love her, it’s a real challenge and a lot of hard work. She’s able to cut through the challenges for those girls. Our community is very lucky to have her step into this role.”
However, Kiley doesn’t coach to receive any acknowledgment; she just finds her work incredibly rewarding. One of the biggest reasons is because she learns from the girls while she’s teaching them.
“It feels so good to give back to the community and these kids, and I love to see them light up at every practice. Each of the girls brings their own unique personality, skills, and strengths to the squad,” Kiley says. “I hope that I am having a positive influence on them and providing a positive environment for them to learn, have fun, and be themselves. I hope that I have passed on my love for cheerleading, and it’s not just one way; these girls have influenced me. They challenge me to be a better coach and to just laugh and have fun.”
In terms of the future of Valley Youth Cheerleading, Kiley is searching for people to help her coach the some 20 girls who are slated to be in the program this fall. She’s also hoping to expand to younger age levels and would even like to help develop a cheerleading team at Valley Regional.
“I would love to see a high school program,” says Kiley. “I want to see them continue to grow. I always want to push them to the next level. Whether it’s just more complicated dancing or stunting or tumbling, I just want them to push themselves to be the best they can be.”