Best Social Media Presence — Gym or Team
Recognizes a gym or team whose creative, consistent content builds community and represents cheer or dance with impact.
THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS
Award Categories
Explore the 23 awards recognizing the people, programs, events, businesses, athletes, and leaders moving cheer and dance forward.
23 Award Categories
5 Category Groups
Nominations: July 20–27, 2026
Awards Night: September 28, 2026
Aura Events Center, 2020 Lindell Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
01
Category Group
Media + Social
Recognizing the voices, platforms, and content that keep the community informed, connected, and inspired.
Best Social Media Presence — Industry Professional
Honors an individual using social media to educate, inspire, connect, and move the industry forward.
Best Cheer Podcast
Celebrates a podcast delivering meaningful conversation, valuable insight, and connection across the cheer community.
02
Category Group
Events + Innovation
Celebrating event experiences and forward-thinking ideas that raise the standard for athletes, programs, and audiences.
Best Awards Ceremony
Honors an awards experience that makes recognition feel memorable, thoughtful, and worthy of the moment.
Innovative Cheer Event of the Year
Recognizes a cheer event advancing the athlete and spectator experience through fresh ideas, production, or format.
Innovative Dance Event of the Year
Recognizes a dance event raising the standard through creativity, thoughtful execution, and an exceptional experience.
03
Category Group
Vendors + Creators
Honoring the businesses, artists, and behind-the-scenes professionals whose work supports and elevates the industry.
Vendor / Supplier of the Year or Best Product of the Year
Celebrates a business or product providing outstanding value, service, quality, and innovation to the industry.
The Quiet Achiever Award
Honors a behind-the-scenes contributor whose consistent work, service, and impact make a meaningful difference without seeking the spotlight.
Choreographer of the Year — Cheer
Recognizes exceptional artistry, originality, storytelling, and athlete-centered choreography created specifically for cheer.
Choreographer of the Year — Dance
Recognizes exceptional artistry, originality, storytelling, and performer-centered choreography created specifically for dance.
Music Producer of the Year — Cheer
Honors a producer whose music elevates cheer performance through originality, quality, and a strong understanding of the sport.
Music Producer of the Year — Dance
Honors a producer whose music elevates dance performance through originality, quality, and a strong understanding of the art form.
04
Category Group
Athletes + Gyms
Recognizing standout athletes and programs demonstrating excellence, growth, culture, leadership, and community impact.
Amateur Athlete of the Year
Recognizes an athlete demonstrating exceptional performance, growth, character, commitment, and sportsmanship.
Professional Athlete of the Year
Honors an athlete demonstrating excellence, influence, and outstanding achievement at the professional level.
Small Gym of the Year
Celebrates a small gym demonstrating exceptional culture, leadership, athlete experience, and community impact.
100 athletes or fewerMedium Gym of the Year
Celebrates a medium-sized gym leading with excellence in culture, development, operations, and athlete experience.
101–300 athletesLarge Gym of the Year
Celebrates a large gym setting a high standard for leadership, culture, innovation, and sustainable program excellence.
301+ athletesDance Studio of the Year
Recognizes a dance studio demonstrating excellence in instruction, culture, artist development, leadership, and community impact.
05
Category Group
Leadership + Legacy
Honoring leaders and judges whose professionalism, service, integrity, and influence move cheer and dance forward.
Judge of the Year — Cheer
Honors a cheer judge known for fairness, expertise, consistency, professionalism, and commitment to athletes and programs.
Judge of the Year — Dance
Honors a dance judge known for fairness, expertise, consistency, professionalism, and commitment to performers and studios.
Game Changer Award
Recognizes a person or organization whose bold leadership, innovation, or action significantly advanced cheer and dance.
Man of the Year
Recognizes a man whose leadership, service, integrity, and influence have made a meaningful industry impact.
Woman of the Year
Recognizes a woman whose leadership, service, integrity, and influence have made a meaningful industry impact.
Nomination Rule
Each email address may submit one nomination per award category and may nominate in multiple different categories.
Recognize Excellence
Know someone who deserves the spotlight?
Select the category that best reflects their impact, then submit the nominee's official details. Sharing why they deserve recognition and adding supporting materials are optional.
Go to the Nomination Form