Senior Cheer Squad Proves You are Never too Old to Play

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Louise Gooche, a retired nursing professor and director of nursing education from Durahm Technical college, founded Durham Divas ‘n Dude, a senior citizen cheer squad in February 2004.

Gooche was an aerobics instructor at the YMCA of the Triangle, in Raleigh, North Carolina (10.7% Latino). After seeing senior cheerleaders perform at the North Carolina Senior Games, Gooche posted a sign-up sheet at the “Y” and volunteered to coach a cheer squad.

The “Y” agreed to sponsor the team. The Divas volunteer their time and services to various “Y” programs and the “Y” provides them with a place to rehearse twice a week, as well as uniforms, sweat suits, pom-poms, megaphones, and flags.

“I love to perform for the elderly in the nursing homes, and bring a little joy to their hearts, and let them know: once you become a senior, you don’t have to stop, you can still do something,” Gooche said.

In 2016, Gooche was was recognized for lifelong dedication to health and was named a “Humana Game Changers.” Additionally, she was the torchbearer at the 2016 North Carolina Senior Games, the very games that inspired her to start the cheer squad 12 years earlier.

Creating a culture of health and a culture of activity is critical for all stages of life. It is important for kids to see that playing, recess, and sports don’t end with their public education, but that physical activity is a lifelong journey. Thus it is important for communities to ensure safe places for kids and seniors to walk and play.

“You don’t stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing,” is the Durham Senior Divas ‘n Dude mantra.

Movement is life. Swimming and other aqua-aerobics are excellent activities for those with bone and joint problems. The buoyancy reduces impact on joints; heated pools helps soothe pain; and walking in water burns more calories and provides more cardiovascular benefits than walking on land.