April 20th to April 28th becomes the biggest week in Cheerleading. Here in Orlando, the ICU World Championship is about to begin.
Swiss Cheer Association at the 2026 ICU Conference & AGM
The Swiss Cheer Association attended the 2026 ICU Conference and Annual General Meeting from April 20–21, joining national federations from around the world for two days of learning, exchange, and discussion about the future of cheerleading.
The conference covered important topics including education, athlete safety, anti-doping, governance, media, grassroots development, adaptive cheer, and international events. For SCA, it was a valuable opportunity to stay informed, represent Switzerland, and reflect on how global developments can support the continued growth of cheerleading at home.
A key focus was education and credentialing. ICU continues to expand its education pathways for coaches, athletes, officials, entourage members, judges, and federation representatives. SCA will review these opportunities and share relevant information with Swiss clubs to help prepare teams for future international participation.
Athlete safety also remained a major theme. Discussions around safeguarding and anti-doping reinforced the importance of clear information, accessible resources, and strong support systems for athletes, coaches, and clubs. SCA will continue working to make these areas more visible and easier to navigate.
The conference also highlighted the importance of grassroots development and inclusion. Examples from around the world showed how cheerleading can reach new athletes through schools, community programs, coach education, and adaptive cheer opportunities. These conversations will help inform SCA’s long-term development of the sport in Switzerland.
A new President was elected. Congratulations to Karl Olsen! SCA also welcomes Mike Cooper as the new Secretary General and the reelection of Riikka Taivassolo as the representative of Western Europe!
Overall, the ICU Conference and AGM provided useful insight into the direction of international cheerleading and the evolving role of national federations. SCA returns with new ideas, clearer priorities, and a continued commitment to building a safe, transparent, inclusive, and sustainable future for cheerleading in Switzerland.