There are three different types of cheerleading: School (Middle, High, and College), Association (Pop Warner), and All-Star or competitive. Each has their own governing body: National Cheerleading Association (NCA) for High School; The United States All-Star Federation (USASF) and the International All-Star Federation (IASF) for All-Star cheerleaders. USA Cheer is the national governing body (NGB) for all forms of cheerleading.
Cheerleading is in fact dangerous as it counts for 66.7% of all female catastrophic sports injuries. Cheerleaders have games they cheer at but also have competitions that they compete in. In competition, cheerleading is a sport as they are competing for a trophy and the ability to call themselves champions. Competitions are televised on ESPN and watched by thousands at home and at the competitions.
Cheerleaders cheer not only at mens games but also women's games too.
For the cheerleaders, this is their dream, their goal, what they strive for, what they live for. Cheerleading is their sport.