There is something powerful about the quiet hours of New Year’s Eve.

The uniforms are packed away. The music is paused. Competitions feel far enough away to breathe but close enough to matter. This in-between space is where growth actually begins.

As we head into 2026, now is the perfect time for cheerleaders, coaches and even parents to pause and ask a simple but important question:

What do I want this next season to feel like?

For Cheerleaders: Start With You

As a cheerleader, your 2026 goals don’t need to be flashy. They need to be honest.

Ask yourself:

• What skill do I avoid because I’m afraid to fail?
• How do I talk to myself during practice?
• Who do I want to be when things don’t go perfectly?

Progress is rarely about adding more. Often, it’s about strengthening what’s already there.

For Coaches: Set the Tone Early

The start of a new year is a chance to reset culture.

Before drills, before choreography, before the grind starts again, it helps to reflect:

• What kind of environment am I creating?
• Do my athletes feel safe being imperfect?
• Am I coaching results, or am I coaching people?

Teams don’t remember every routine. They remember how the season made them feel.

For Parents and Supporters: Your Role Matters

Support doesn’t mean fixing everything.

Sometimes it means listening.
Sometimes it means letting athletes struggle a little.
Sometimes it means reminding them why they started in the first place.

Cheer is demanding. The encouragement behind the scenes often matters just as much as what happens on the mat.

Looking Ahead for Myself Personally

As 2026 begins, this feels like the right moment to say this:

We Cover Cheer and Dance is coming back!

Not louder. Not flashier.
But more intentional.

The heart of We Cover Cheer has always been about storytelling, growth and respect for the sport and the people in it. That mission hasn’t changed. If anything, it’s clearer than ever.

This year is about reconnecting with cheer and dance communities, sharing real stories and celebrating the work that happens all year long.

If you are setting goals tonight, keep them simple.
Keep them human.
And give yourself permission to grow into them.

Here’s to a new season.
Here’s to 2026.
And here’s to what’s next.

Bobby Ericson
Owner