A legend in the cheerleading world, Stephany has been involved in cheerleading for over 20 years. Stephany is a multi-time medalist at the IASF World Championships as both an athlete and coach, taking home a bronze medal at the 2018 & 2019 World Championships with the Small Coed team, Flyers Lightening. Stephany is a well-known Canadian choreographer and has worked with many successful University programs. Her success in choreographing for the IASF International score sheet speaks for itself as she has coached 10 qualifying worlds teams (5 of which made it to the podium for Worlds Globes). She is also a coach for the Team Canada All Girl Premier team. Stephany sees what others may miss and her optimism, technical skills, and talent have brought her to the Team Canada staff. 

Sara has been involved in the performing arts community since childhood.  She has trained at a variety of dance studios across Saskatchewan completing full examination syllabi in Ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), as well as in Tap and Jazz through the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association (CDTA) and Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT). During her training, Sara had the privilege of performing across Canada, the United States and Brazil.  She had the opportunity to professionally dance with City Centre Dance Company in contemporary dance for their opening season.

Following her dance training, Sara had decided to continue with instructor training.  She is a Registered Ballet Teacher with the RAD, Associate of the RAD, Tutor for the CBTS Teacher Training program with the RAD, Member of the CDTA Stage Division (Jazz), Associate Member of the CDTA Modern and Ballet Divisions, Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor, Certified Yoga Instructor through Namaskar Yoga (Yoga Alliance) and Certified in Total Barre (Merrithew).  

Sara’s passion for dance has also been a part of her career pursuits.  Sara has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Biology, and Master of Physical Therapy along with numerous post-graduate courses and certifications to advance her training.  Most recently, Sara has a special interest with pre-professional and professional dancers and artistic athletes.  Sara has worked as the Lead Physiotherapist for the Alberta Ballet Company and Alberta Ballet School.  Since 2019, Sara has acted as a Proud Supporter of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Cheer team working as the team Physiotherapist on and off game days.

Sara was also involved in research studies for the University of Calgary on Injury Prevention for Dancers, as well as providing lectures on safe dance practice and injury prevention throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.  Sara has been able to continue to promote safe dance practice through past involvement with Healthy Dancer Canada as well as acting as the Director and Founder of Empower Movement Studio workshops and educational programming.  Empower Movement Studio focuses on the essential education needed for artistic athletics, athletes and the public to stay healthy and injury free.

Sara is the owner/operator of Empower Physiotherapy and strives to “empower” others toward improving their health and well being through education and movement.  She is looking forward to sharing knowledge and networking during the SCA Coaches conference.

Jennifer is the founder and owner of Gridders Cheerleading in Yorkton, SK.  She works during the day as a high school teacher and school counsellor at the Yorkton Regional High School where she also coaches the YRHS Cheer Team.   In the evenings and weekends Jennifer spends her time at the gym, coaching and guiding her athletes and co-coaches.  She currently occupies the role of Secretary Treasurer on the Saskatchewan Cheerleading Association Board of Directors and chairs the SCA Finance Committee.  Jennifer is also a member of the Cheer Canada Scholastic Committee and Cheer Canada Coaching Committee.  She is a strong believer in life-long learning, acknowledging that knowledge is power, and is always encouraging those around her to continue striving to better themselves.

Carley has been involved in the Saskatchewan cheerleading industry since 2004 and has fulfilled many different roles since. She has spent time as an athlete, coach and an SCA board member. She is also a certified IASF safety judge, and a Cheer Canada panel judge specializing in tumbling. Previous to being involved in cheerleading, she has a background in women’s artistic gymnastics as both an athlete and a coach. Carley enjoys coaching all levels of tumbling within her gym, and enjoys experimenting with new drills and equipment.  Her experience contributes to her dimensional coaching approach specializing in fundamentals. 

Ashley started her career in cheerleading in 2006 as an athlete. Ashley has been a SCA certified coach since 2009. Currently Ashley is a level 6 certified coach and coaches with Warman Ultimate Cheerleading. Ashley was a member of the SCA board for 8 years as a member at large, coaching director and president. Ashley also had the privilege to serve cheerleading on the national level as a member at large on Cheer Canada’s board of directors for 2 years. In those years Ashley’s passion flourished. Ashley is looking forward to the newest venture in our sport as the Administrative Assistant to Alissa Stewart.

Eric Bestvater is the owner and head coach of Rebels Cheerleading Athletics in Regina. He has been involved in Cheerleading since 2003, competing with UofR for several years before opening Rebels in 2007. He has experience coaching levels 1-7, and works with athletes of all levels through private lessons and group tumbling classes.

Alissa Stewart is from Regina, Saskatchewan and is the full time executive director for the Saskatchewan Cheerleading Association. Alissa has a strong background in dance and cheerleading with over 20 years experience as a performer, athlete, coach and official. Recently, Alissa was selected as the Cheer Canada performance cheer officials trainer and assisted in developing the Cheer Canada dance scoresheest and scoring methodology.