Encouragement for competition

[CountryCheerCoach]

Our first competition is this weekend...my assistant and I are Looking for some (inexpensive) ways to encourage our youth cheerleaders before our very first competition ....anything that you cansuggest would be greatly appreciated...encouraging words, small gifts, treats, etc. 

Thank you!!!

[CoachErin]

I don't know if thie is feasible for you, but I actually made little "awards" for my girls in years past and hung them on their front doors, with a little candy or a treat, the night before competition so that they would find it in the morning. The parents knew we were doing this so they made sure the girls saw their gift. I have also had a car decorating contest among the families who were driving to the competition and we had some small award for the best decorated car. The girls really like having all the cars deocrated showing support for the team.

[RPCmme]

Each year before our state championship, I give my squad members a letter that I have written to them.  It's the same letter for each girl and it recaps the season's trials and triumphs with encouraging words for the upcoming competition.  They now talk about "the letter" in the weeks heading up to state.  It's become a very inexpensive, yet emotionally bonding tradition.

Little candy awards great (Great thinking, Coach Erin!).  Here are some examples of what I've done in the past:
Crunch the competition (crunch bar)
Laugh at yourself (snickers)
Enjoy the day (almond joy)
Be smart and safe (smarties)
Shine--you're a super star (starburst)
You're on a roll (tootsie roll)
Good job (mr. goodbar)

One more goodie--you can find inexpensive picture frames (about $1) at local megastores.  If you don't have pictures to put into the frames, put inspirational words or just "STATE 2009" or whatever your competition is.  Another item you could place in the frame (and this takes some work ahead of time), have the squad members write down some words or phrases that describe each person on the squad.  Put those descriptive words and phrases in the frame.