CAMBRIDGE — Competitive cheerleaders across Ontario are flipping out after they were told they can’t resume individual training because the province doesn’t recognize cheerleading as a sport.

Earlier this month, the provincial government announced that indoor sports facilities could reopen providing they follow public health guidelines in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But those facilities have to meet one of three criteria.

Their sport must be funded by Sport Canada, recognized by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries or be a member of a professional sports league.

And that leaves cheerleading out of the loop.

“Because of the exact wording of the order there is a substantial population of young people in the province of Ontario that are not going to be able to return to their sport,” said CJ Pugh, president of the Ontario Cheerleading Federation.

“That’s been very challenging for our membership and our member clubs. A lot of them are small businesses and have had to lay off their staff and close their doors for the last 11 weeks.”

To gain recognition as a sport in Ontario, cheerleading’s national organization must receive funding from Sport Canada, which is does not.

The rub is that cheerleading is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and Canadian Olympic Committee and was even granted provisional status three years back meaning it could be an event at a future Summer Games.

Pugh is hoping the province can find a compromise.