The Junior Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleading Program is making the pandemic pivot by offering the program virtually in 2020!

You’ve got a few more days to register before the deadline on Monday, October 5, 2020.

Patel Conservatory dancers perform as baby mice in Next Generation Ballet's production of Nutcracker.

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We asked Tara Battiato of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleading team and Junior Tampa Bay Buccaneers Program to share more details about what to expect this year and how your child can take advantage of the program!

Tell us more about the Junior Tampa Bay Buccaneers Program! When did it launch and how many kids have gone through the program?

Tara Battiato: The Junior Cheerleaders Program is designed to promote self-esteem, commitment, and most of all FUN among children ages 6-11 years old. This community program is open to all and tailored to cheerleaders/dancers of all ability levels.

Any cool or fun highlights or tidbits from over the years?

Tara Battiato: We have had hundreds of children who participate in the Jr. Cheerleading program every season that become inspired and go on to cheer/dance in high school, college and beyond! But it’s super special when a former Jr. Cheerleader find themselves cheerleading on the Buccaneers as an adult member of our cheerleading team! I also love when alumni Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders enroll their children in the program and become the proudest stage parents.

Like all of us, you’ve had to make the pandemic pivot. How will the virtual program run this year and what can fans expect?

Tara Battiato: To remain aligned with the recommended health and safety measures of our community, we have designed a virtual program that includes five (5) instructional Zoom classes with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders and an opportunity to submit a performance routine to be featured in a compilation performance video. The performance video will be featured on the our Buccaneers social media channels, and will be played on the video boards during halftime at the Buccaneers vs. Falcons home game on Sunday, January 3.

Why is it so important for the Cheerleading team to take part in this program? What has it meant to you?

Tara Battiato: Cheer/dance teaches you many incredible life lessons – confidence, teamwork, rhythm and movement! Sharing our love of cheer/dance with the future generations is priceless. Personally, I love meeting the children and parents. We come together from all different backgrounds to have fun and cheer the Bucs to victory. Teaching a young person a dance move for the first time or saving a dance parent’s life by giving them an extra set of pom poms they forgot for game day makes me feel like I make a difference!

Click: Learn more and register by Monday, October 5, 2020.

Photos from 2019 Junior Buccaneers Cheerleading season:

TAMPA, FL- DECEMBER 07, 2019 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders and Jr. Bucs Cheerleaders during Jr. Cheer Clinic at AdventHealth Training Center Indoor Facility in Tampa, FL. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers