Cheerleading is often associated with a vibrant testament of teamwork and exuberance. However, a piece of recent news that flashed across Maryland surrounding the cheerleading team, Maryland Twisters sheds light on the allegations swirling around the dismissal of a 7-year-old member, Ryan Brunson. 

The incident has left the community in shock since the cause of the allegation is deeply rooted in the team’s hair policy. The member has been discriminated against for a dispute over hair policies involving the cheerleader, that leads to the urgency of diversity and inclusivity in the cheerleading sport. 

Hair policy clash removes a cheerleader from the team 

SaRaya Woolridge, Bruson’s mother, has been deeply moved by the tumultuous incident that was born out of an encounter with a cheerleading coach about her daughter’s hairstyle choice. As the seven-year-old cheerleader was about to take part in a competition, she had opted for a half up half down style that had been used for previous competitions.  

However, the young athlete had faced resistance from one of the coaches who insisted that she opt for a high ponytail since she claimed Brunson had “much more hair”. Over this disagreement, the cheerleader was removed from the team after which the mother raised her voice against discrimination.    

In an interview with NBC News, the cheerleader’s mother shared her grievance, “My daughter being able to wear her natural hair was never an issue. This coach told Niemah and I almost the whole season she can wear her natural hair because my daughter would complain about how tight her hair was and the bobby pins were digging into her head.” The incident brought back the memory of an 11-year-old cheerleader from Colorado who was refused to take part in competition with her natural hair. 

Dispute and support create contrasting narratives 

Following the uproar, the CEO and President of the Maryland Twister’s CEO made a heartfelt apology, acknowledging the emotional distress, this incident has caused affecting several families. On the other hand, Stephanie Trujillo, the cheerleading coach released a statement, “I apologized to the entire team for not giving the other athletes the same opportunity to choose their hairstyle.” In an attempt to rectify the actions, the cheerleading team assured parents to establish a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee. 

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Besides, additional coach training had been assured taking into account the need for continuous improvement and the requirement of vigilance in order to promote an inclusive environment. However, a few parents whose children are part of the cheerleading team defended Maryland Twisters claiming that the team’s ethos embraces positivity and inclusivity.

This incident putting the reputation of Maryland Twisters at stake has thrusted the team’s commitment to revamp the policies signaling a proactive stance towards an equitable environment within the cheerleading team/ As the coaching staff will commit themselves to further training they will be catalyzing to advocate fairness in athletic spaces. 

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