Cheerleading team to compete in nationals

A TEAM of Guernsey cheerleaders earned themselves an invitation to a prestigious competition after they finished first in a regional contest.

Pic by Adrian Miller 04-03-20 Delancey Campus Rebellion Allstars cheerleaders have won a regional championship and a bid invitation to a national champions challenge where they will be competing against the best of the best... (27364185)

Rebellion Allstars’ adult team of six saw off competition from around 30 other teams to take the top prize at the ICC Eastern Championships held in Peterborough on 29 February.

Coach Michaela Street said there were five judges who each awarded marks based on the degree of difficulty and the technique in the routine, which lasts two-and-a-half minutes, as well as the flow of the performance.

Part of the adults’ prize was a place at the Battle of Champions event in Nottingham in June, which Miss Street said was by invitation only.

There are two Rebellion Allstars teams, and while the adults came home with the trophy for first place in Peterborough, the juniors – aged seven to 14 – brought back an equally impressive trophy for finishing fifth.

For those who think that cheerleading is girls waving pom-poms, Miss Street said that they do not use them. ‘People think it’s all about pom-poms, but there’s a lot of strength involved,’ she said.

And despite its image as being a sport for women and girls, she said more men were getting involved now. And it is not just for young people, either – the oldest member of the adult team is 60 and male.

Before the adult squad heads off to do battle, everyone is preparing for the national competition, taking place on 4 and 5 April.