ACA Awards & Recognition

Amount: $500.00 CAD

To apply, the nominee must be a current Grade 12 student who will be attending a post-secondary school in the Fall of 2026. The school that the nominee is planning to attend is not required to have a cheer program. Nominees must be registered as a Participant Member (Athlete, Coach, or Coach-in-Training) with an ACA Member Program during the 2025–2026 season.

This award will be given to an individual who has demonstrated continued commitment to the sport of cheerleading as well as maintaining high academic standards throughout the year. Nominees should be active role models within the school and wider communities and somebody who possesses positive attributes such as leadership, teamwork, inclusion, hard work and integrity.

While the ACA strives to award one scholarship annually, the ACA reserves the right to award scholarships and amounts as it sees fit.

The ACA will consider the following (in no particular order):

• grades

• program of study

• community service

• involvement with/contribution to cheerleading in Alberta

• future involvement with/contribution to cheerleading in Alberta

• references from teachers & coaches

• comments from other individuals based on interactions with this individual

A copy of the Nominee's final grades for their most recently completed term and a reference letter from their coach or teacher advisor must accompany this submission.

Amount: $500.00 CAD

To apply, the Nominee must have successfully completed at least one term of post-secondary studies and is enrolled to continue in the Fall of 2026. The school that the nominee is attending is not required to have a cheer program. Nominees must be registered as a Participant Member (Athlete, Coach, or Coach-in-Training) with an ACA Member Program during the 2025–2026 season.

This award will be given to an individual who has demonstrated continued commitment to the sport of cheerleading as well as maintaining high academic standards throughout the year. Nominees should be active role models within the school and wider communities and somebody who possesses positive attributes such as leadership, teamwork, inclusion, hard work and integrity.

While the ACA strives to award one scholarship annually, the ACA reserves the right to award scholarships and amounts as it sees fit.

The ACA will consider the following (in no particular order):

• grades

• program of study & number of courses

• community service

• involvement with/contribution to cheerleading in Alberta

• future involvement with/contribution to cheerleading in Alberta

• reference letter(s)

• comments from other individuals based on interactions with this individual.

A copy of the Nominee's final grades for their most recent completed term and a reference letter from their coach or teacher advisor must accompany this submission.

The Cheer Spirit Scholarship Award recognizes an athlete who truly embodies the spirit of cheerleading through positivity, teamwork, leadership, dedication, and fun. This $500 scholarship may be applied toward program fees for the upcoming season.

We are looking for an athlete who uplifts others, demonstrates strong sportsmanship, encourages teammates, and brings positive energy to their team and community.

This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated continued commitment and excellence in the sport of cheerleading through their role as an athlete. Athlete of the Year is awarded to one All Star athlete and one Scholastic athlete.

If a deserving candidate is nominated and chosen by the ACA, the award will be presented at the ACA's Annual Awards Gala. The ACA reserves the right to cancel this award for the current year if nominations received do not meet the award criterion.

The ACA will consider the following when selecting a winner:

• years of participation

• success as an athlete

• demonstrated leadership within the team(s)

• role model attributes to fellow/younger athletes

• overall involvement/contribution to the sport

• comments from fellow athletes and coaches regarding how this person’s involvement is a positive influence on the sport and those around them

No single criterion is more important than another; nor, does the absence of one or more criterion necessarily mean a nominee will not be chosen.

This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated continued commitment, support and excellence in the sport of cheerleading through their role as a Coach.

If a deserving candidate is nominated and chosen by the ACA, the award will be presented at the ACA's Annual Awards Gala.  The ACA reserves the right to cancel this award for the current year if nominations received do not meet the award criterion.

The ACA will consider the following when selecting a winner:

• years of service

• success of program

• overall involvement/contribution to the sport

• demonstrated commitment to professional development i.e. keeping up-to-date with rule 

• changes and the advancement of the sport itself and/or enrolling in courses and other 

• professional development programs

• comments from athletes, parents, or colleagues regarding how this person’s involvement is a positive influence on the sport and those around them.  

No single criterion is more important than another; nor, does the absence of one or more criterion necessarily mean a nominee will not be chosen.

This award may be given to new (within the first three years of being fully-certified) coaches who have demonstrated continued commitment, support and excellence in the sport of cheerleading through their role as a Coach.

If a deserving candidate is nominated and chosen by the ACA, the award will be presented at the ACA's Annual Awards Gala.  The ACA reserves the right to cancel this award for the current year if nominations received do not meet the award criterion.

The ACA will consider the following when selecting a winner: 

• individual growth as a new coach

• demonstrated commitment to professional development i.e. keeping up to date with rule 

• changes and the advancement of the sport, enrolling in courses and other professional 

• development programs

• success of program(s)

• positive influence on the sport and those around them including athletes, parents, fellow 

• coaches, etc.

No single criterion is more important than another; nor, does the absence of one or more criterion necessarily mean a nominee will not be chosen.

This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated continued commitment, support, and excellence in the sport of cheerleading through their role as an Official.

If a deserving candidate is nominated and chosen by the ACA, the award will be announced at the ACA Awards Gala.  The ACA reserves the right to cancel this award for the current year if nominations received do not meet the award criterion.

The ACA will consider the following when selecting a winner:

• years of service as an official,

• overall involvement/contribution to the sport as an official,

• level of professionalism and mastery of content knowledge,

• completion of all judging requirements as outlined on the ACA website,

• demonstrated commitment to professional development e.g.: keeping abreast of rule updates, changes, and the advancement of the sport itself and/or enrolling in courses and other professional development programs,

• comments from colleagues and supervisors regarding how this person’s involvement is a positive influence on the sport and those around them.

No single criterion is more important than another; nor does the absence of one or more criterion necessarily mean a nominee will not be chosen.

The Supporting School & Community Spirit Award was created to recognize school or club teams who are working to increase school and/or community spirit by cheering at events or volunteering their time in their community.

Teams may be competitive or recreational in nature.

Events may include, but are not limited to: 

• Home or away games

• Pep rallies

• Spirit days/events

• Any non-competition event in which the cheer team is representing their school or club (e.g. cheering on participants at a charity run or walk, collecting donations for a charity drive, volunteering at a school or community event).

Any event listed on the team submission form must have 50% or more of their athletes present and participating in an official capacity in the event. The events must have occurred within the 2025/2026 season.

If cheering a game, the athletes must be active in leading a crowd of people in cheering.  It is not necessary to perform a routine.

Award Levels: 

• Bronze (5-10 events)

• Silver (11-15 events)

• Gold (16-20 events) 

• Platinum (21+ events)

This award will be given to teams who have demonstrated continued levels of sportsmanship, positive attitudes, fair play and have positively contributed to the school and/or wider community. 

The ACA will award up to five Team Sportsmanship Awards each season.

This is an award given to someone who has gone above and beyond to develop and promote the sport of cheerleading in Alberta.  It is unlikely that consideration will be given to anyone who has given less than 15 years of service to cheerleading in Alberta.

If a deserving candidate is nominated and chosen by the ACA, the award will be presented at the ACA's Annual Awards Gala.  The ACA reserves the right to cancel this award for the current year if nominations received do not meet the award criterion.

The ACA will consider the following when selecting a winner:  

• years of service (15+)

• overall involvement/contribution to the sport 

• answer to question below

• comments from athletes, parents, colleagues, judges, etc. regarding how this person’s involvement is a positive influence on the sport and those around them.