Allyson Gadd saw her daughter and her teammates without a team and a home and Gadd knew she needed to step in.
Gadd’s daughter, Brynlee, was cheering with Bayfield Gymnastics and Cheer when that program closed its doors in January in the middle of the season. Plenty of tears were shed as the team had six seniors on the team who were suddenly left with the possibility of an abrupt end to their cheer careers.
That’s when Gadd and her husband knew she had to step in to create Bayfield Elite Cheer Company to fill the void left by Bayfield Gymnastics and Cheer.
However, Bayfield Elite Cheer Company has a big problem. It needs a permanent home. Gadd couldn’t take over the space Bayfield Gymnastics and Cheer was in and is looking for a large space in Bayfield. She wants a space the girls can go and practice in and not have to worry about other teams or schools having priority in that space.
“They're so capable,” Gadd said. “They just haven't been giving the tools to accomplish what they can accomplish … everything else is physically on them … There's a need for youth sports and definitely female sports.”
Gadd needs a space where she can install a full spring competition board so the girls can practice how they’ll compete at tournaments. She’s had two real estate agents looking for spots but a space the size she needs isn’t cheap.
Fundraising for Bayfield Elite Cheer Company is going on right now as the team looks for funds for a permanent spot, travel expenses and uniforms. Gadd has reached out to businesses for sponsorship to help with the fundraising.
The company is the only All-Star Competitive Cheer Team in the Four Corners region, according to Gadd. It welcomes kids ages 6-18 from Bayfield, Durango, Ignacio, Pagosa Springs, Mancos and beyond with a focus on growth, fun and competition.
“We are maximizing those points on that score sheet,” Gadd said. “These girls are learning the proper techniques. They're being trained properly. My head coach is Leah Ryder and she's also the Bayfield High School head cheer coach … She knows the sport inside and out. Ever since March, we’ve been breaking bad habits, correcting proper form and technique and getting these girls trained up right.”
Reach out to Gadd by visiting the website, calling or texting her at 970-769-3201 or visiting the Bayfield Elite Cheer Instagram or Facebook pages.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
