Train with confidence.
Put wellbeing first.

01Safe participation

We want athletes to enjoy cheerleading, dance and tumble in a safe, supportive environment. A medical condition, disability or additional need does not automatically prevent participation. Discuss relevant needs with us so we can consider the activity, suitable support and reasonable adjustments together.

This page explains participation arrangements. It does not diagnose a condition or provide medical clearance. Where an injury, illness, pregnancy or treatment could affect safe training, seek advice from the relevant healthcare professional about the actual activity, including tumbling, lifting, catching, impact and falls. Coaches make activity and supervision decisions within their competence.

02Tell us what the athlete needs

Before a trial or first session, tell Scott or Brenda privately about relevant allergies, medical conditions, injuries, medication, medical devices, emergency action plans and support needs. Explain how the athlete may show distress or need help, and supply current emergency contacts.

Tell us promptly about changes and remind the session coach of an immediate restriction before training begins. Until an online update has been confirmed, contact the team directly; do not assume a portal entry or group message has reached the person supervising the athlete.

Share what is needed for safe participation, rather than an unnecessary full medical history. Health information is handled under our Privacy Policy. Individual concerns should not be discussed in a general parent group.

03Medication and medical equipment

Follow the prescriber’s instructions. Do not change or delay prescribed medication to fit a class timetable. Tell us if medicine may affect alertness, balance, coordination or participation.

Bring necessary medication and equipment, including prescribed emergency medication, and agree who carries it, where it stays readily accessible and what help may be required. Check supplies, labels, expiry dates and any written care instructions before attending.

Do not assume a coach can administer a medicine or provide a clinical procedure. Routine support, staff competence, permissions, storage and any parent/carer attendance must be agreed in advance. In an emergency, call 999 and follow the emergency plan and dispatcher’s instructions.

Magic cannot provide refrigerated storage. If a medicine requires temperature control, discuss a suitable arrangement before attending and follow the manufacturer’s or clinician’s storage advice.

Prescribed injectables, insulin pumps, glucose monitors, inhalers, auto-injectors and other necessary devices are not subject to a blanket ban. Agree safe access, protection of equipment, any privacy needs and safe sharps disposal. Do not leave sharps loose or put them in ordinary bins. Urgent treatment must not be delayed to move someone into a private area.

04Allergies, diabetes, asthma and seizures

Allergies: tell us the relevant triggers, symptoms and emergency plan. Keep prescribed emergency medication immediately accessible. We cannot guarantee an allergen-free shared venue; discuss food, snacks and other practical precautions with us. Do not share food without checking arrangements.

Suspected anaphylaxis is an emergency: use the prescribed adrenaline auto-injector promptly according to its instructions and call 999, stating “anaphylaxis”. Antihistamines are not a substitute for adrenaline in anaphylaxis. Follow the emergency plan and NHS guidance, including any further dose instructions.

Diabetes: agree an activity plan with the diabetes team where needed. Discuss access to glucose monitoring, insulin, hypo treatment, drinks, food and breaks. Exercise can affect glucose during and after a session. Coaches must not improvise insulin-dose changes; the athlete or responsible carer follows the individual plan.

Asthma: bring the prescribed reliever and spacer if used, and share the relevant action plan. Stop and tell the coach if symptoms occur; follow the plan and seek urgent help where needed.

Epilepsy or other seizure conditions: discuss the individual seizure plan, relevant triggers, supervision and any rescue medication arrangements. After a seizure, medical advice and the individual recovery plan guide return; there is no universal automatic 24-hour clearance for cheerleading.

Heart or lung conditions, implanted devices, other long-term conditions and medical equipment need an individual discussion about the demands of the activity and relevant clinical advice, rather than a generic permission table.

05Injury, surgery and return to training

Tell the coach about pain, injury, recent surgery, hospital treatment or a clinician’s restrictions. Do not train through significant pain or use medication simply to mask an injury so you can continue. Coaches may stop an activity and discuss appropriate next steps.

Return depends on the condition, treatment, symptoms, healthcare advice and the specific skills involved. There is no standard number of days after an operation, heart attack, stroke or eye injury that makes an athlete safe to resume cheerleading.

Where appropriate, ask the treating clinician or physiotherapist for activity-specific restrictions and a staged return plan. A general note saying someone is fit does not automatically clear every stunt or tumble skill. Written advice may be requested where needed to clarify safe participation, rather than for every athlete with a diagnosis.

Modified training or observing a session may be considered when safe and suitable. An injured or unwell athlete is not required to attend simply to support the team. Medical and safeguarding needs take priority over competition preparation.

06Head injury and suspected concussion

If concussion is suspected after a blow to the head or body, stop participation immediately and remove the athlete from the activity. Loss of consciousness is not necessary for concussion. The athlete must not return to training or competition that day.

Arrange prompt medical assessment. Call 999 for emergency signs such as unconsciousness, a seizure, worsening difficulty staying awake or new weakness, and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Do not leave the athlete alone or allow an unwell athlete to travel home unsupervised.

Return to learning, daily activity and sport must follow clinical advice and the current UK grassroots concussion guidance, with a graduated return. Feeling better after a short rest is not clearance for tumbling, stunting or other activities with a risk of another head injury. Any governing-body or event requirements also apply.

07Illness and infection

Stay home if you have a high temperature, are too unwell to take part safely or have been advised to stay away because of an infection. Notify the team about absence. Mild symptoms do not automatically require exclusion; consider how the athlete feels and the activity involved.

For vomiting or diarrhoea caused by an infection, stay away for at least 48 hours after the last episode, or longer if advised. Follow current NHS, UK Health Security Agency and clinician advice for specific infections and outbreaks. Being allowed back into a school or other setting does not automatically mean someone is ready for strenuous training.

Keep wounds suitably covered and follow advice for potentially infectious skin conditions. A non-infectious skin condition does not itself require exclusion. Do not use old fixed disease tables to decide return dates.

08Pregnancy and return after birth

Tell a coach privately if pregnancy or postnatal recovery affects participation. Pregnancy can be compatible with appropriate exercise, but cheerleading includes activities with risks of falls, collisions or abdominal impact.

Do not take part in tumbling, elevated stunts, catching or other fall/contact-risk skills during pregnancy. Discuss suitable lower-risk alternatives with your midwife or doctor and Magic before participating. This is an activity precaution, not a universal ban on exercise.

There is no automatic approval to train until a particular pregnancy week. Return after birth also depends on individual recovery and appropriate clinical advice. Do not feel pressured to continue or return before you are ready, and share relevant information privately rather than being required to tell other athletes.

09Wellbeing and additional support

Discuss disability, anxiety, sensory needs or other support needs privately so we can consider helpful adjustments, communication and breaks. A mental-health diagnosis alone is not a reason to exclude someone or require them to disclose unnecessary personal information.

Athletes may say they feel unsafe, ask for help or request a break. Nobody should participate while impaired by alcohol, recreational drugs or medication effects that make the activity unsafe. Decisions should reflect the actual risk and available support, and be explained respectfully.

10Accidents and emergencies

Tell a coach immediately if someone is hurt or becomes unwell. Stop the activity, keep the area safe and call 999 for a serious or life-threatening emergency. Follow emergency-service instructions; do not wait for a parent or director before requesting urgent help.

The team will arrange appropriate assistance and contact the parent, guardian or emergency contact as appropriate. Do not assume a clinician is onsite. Tell the team about an injury noticed after a session so the circumstances can be recorded and followed up.

Accident and safeguarding records are handled separately and confidentially. Parents can ask Scott or Brenda about an accident involving their child. This page does not promise that a digital reporting or portal-copy feature is already available.

11Contact and useful guidance

Contact Scott Rowlinson or Brenda Abraham at magic.allstars.cheerleading@gmail.com or 07591 198508. For urgent medical advice when it is not a 999 emergency, use NHS 111 or the appropriate healthcare service.

Read alongside our Terms and Conditions, Programme Rules & Code of Conduct, Privacy Policy and Safeguarding information. Participation does not waive Magic’s duty of care or your legal rights. Membership does not itself guarantee personal accident insurance cover.

Reference guidance checked on 24 October 2026: NHS anaphylaxis; NHS head injury; NHS pregnancy exercise; Cambridge University Hospitals pregnancy guidance; UKHSA infection guidance; NHS England epilepsy care planning; NHS diabetes and activity guidance.