GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa Cheer Gems

This is our 4th Season: The Cheer Gems is a GiGi’s Playhouse program that has created a partnership with Pop Warner Football, Cheer and Dance, to create an inclusive Cheer Team. Pop Warner and GiGi's Playhouse are both national nonprofit organizations that have local programs in the Tampa Bay Area.

The 2025-2026 Team consists of 17 Cheer Team Members.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS TEAM IS ANNOUNCED IN SPRING OF EACH YEAR. TO LEARN MORE BEFORE REGISTRATION CONTACT PROGRAM LEAD NICKI RAWLINGS NRAWLINGS@GIGISPLAYHOUSE.ORG

In 2022, Parents familiar with the two amazing organizations that serve the special needs community in different capacities, sought to bring them together to propose a “new concept”. This concept has created an INCLUSIVE CHEER TEAM, that allows the team to include individuals with special needs and their siblings. Parents will not face having to find two cheer programs to accommodate their busy family schedules or that will leave one of their children sitting on the sidelines or their loved one with Down syndrome not being accepted. Sibling team members serve as positive role models for the entire team. Experienced Cheer Coaches volunteer their time and have the support of both national organizations.

The Cheer Gems show off their talents at Pop Warner Tampa Bay area youth football games and competitions at the local, regional and national levels. The Cheer Gems are always excited to represent GiGi’s Playhouse, performing and spreading their message of inclusion and acceptance at local events to include the Gasparilla Children’s Parade, Tampa Bay Lightning Games, Tampa Bay Sun Games, The Tampa Tarpons Games, World Down Syndrome Day and and Down Syndrome Acceptance Month events.