Founded in 2023, C3 Athletix has quickly established itself as a destination for competitive cheerleading in Gloucester County, with opportunities for athletes ages 4 to 18 while emphasizing teamwork, confidence and personal growth.
For owner and coach Laura Conway, the journey started years before opening the gym’s doors.

“My daughter fell in love with cheerleading when she was six years old,” Conway said. “I signed her up for a local recreation program, and she was hooked immediately.”

As her daughter’s passion for the sport grew, so did Conway’s involvement. What began as a volunteer coaching role eventually evolved into a vision for creating a competitive cheer program of her own.

After moving to Gloucester and spending several years coaching within local programs, Conway saw an opportunity to provide something different for young athletes in the community.

“I wanted to create a program that challenged kids and helped them grow,” she said. “I loved coaching, and I knew there was room for something more competitive here.”

That opportunity arrived sooner than expected.

After leaving a previous organization in the fall of 2023, Carter met with several families who wanted to continue training together. Within weeks, C3 Athletix was born.

The team practiced twice a week in the Carter’s Cove clubhouse, using borrowed cheer mats from Gloucester High School.

“We had 11 athletes when we started,” Conway recalled. “My sister and I handled the business side, got the insurance, secured a place to practice, and just made it happen.”

The program’s first team competed after only two months of preparation and finished second overall during its starting season.

Since then, growth has come rapidly.

The program expanded from 11 athletes to more than 30 during its first full year. Last season, enrollment climbed to nearly 50 athletes. This year, registration numbers have already surpassed 60 athletes before evaluations have even begun.

“We’ve been incredibly blessed by the support from the Gloucester community,” Conway said. “Families have trusted us with their children, and that’s something I never take for granted.”

While competitive cheerleading often focuses on trophies and championships, Conway believes the sport’s greatest benefits happen away from the competition floor.

Athletes spend months learning a single routine, relying heavily on teammates to succeed. Every stunt requires trust, communication and commitment.

“When a flier goes into the air, there are three or four people responsible for helping keep that athlete safe,” Conway said. “They learn very quickly that they have to depend on one another.”

That emphasis on teamwork has helped many athletes develop confidence both inside and outside the gym.

“I’ve watched kids come in shy and unsure of themselves,” she said. “A year later, they’re talking to everyone, leading teammates and believing in themselves. That’s the stuff that matters most.”

The program currently fields multiple teams across different age divisions and skill levels. Last season, C3’s senior team completed an undefeated season and capped it off with a successful trip to Orlando, Fla., for national competition.

As enrollment continues to rise, Conway hopes to eventually transition C3 Athletix into a full all-star cheerleading program, the highest level of competitive cheer. However, she plans to grow carefully to ensure the program remains accessible to local families.

“Gloucester is growing, and I think there’s a need for more opportunities for kids,” Conway said. “But I want to make sure we’re growing the right way and serving the community well.”

For now, the focus remains where it has always been, the athletes.

Asked what has been the most rewarding part of building C3 Athletix, Conway didn’t mention championships, trophies or business growth.

Instead, she talked about the children.

“The building isn’t what makes this place special,” she said. “The kids are. Watching them improve, gain confidence and accomplish things they never thought they could do, that’s what makes all of this worth it.”

As C3 Athletix prepares for another season, its rapid growth suggests that more Gloucester families are discovering what Conway has known for years. Cheerleading is about much more than routines and competitions, it’s about building confidence, character and community.

For more about C3 Athletix, visit the organization’s page on Facebook.