The Growth of Canadian Cheer: Nick Verburg’s Journey

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Nick Verburg, co-founder of Vision Cheer Company in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Vice President of Cheer Canada. Nick shares how Vision Cheer grew from a small garage space during the pandemic into a thriving nonprofit gym with more than 300 athletes and a flagship Worlds-level program. You’ll hear about the challenges of growing cheer in Canada, the benefits of running a nonprofit structure, and the strategies that helped Vision Cheer achieve nearly 99% athlete retention. Nick also explains how focusing on athlete experience, community involvement, and sport-first values can create sustainable growth and build a positive gym culture. This episode is packed with insights for cheer gym owners, coaches, and entrepreneurs who want to grow their programs, retain athletes, and learn from Canada’s rapid cheerleading success.