June 17th
• Cheerleading Basic Stunts

Book Now to secure your place

These courses have been arranged due to demand in the Home Nation and it is encouraging to see the continued growth and development for all UKCA Coach Education Courses.

If you would like to arrange a Course or Workshop for your school or club, please contact UKCA or email NI Representative Karen@ukca.org.uk for more information and advice.

• Street Dance Workshop with International Performer

UKCA have secured an exciting link with an International Performer and leading Dance specialist for Street Dance/Street Cheer.

We are keen to offer Northern Ireland the opportunity to benefit from the skills on offer and would like to gauge the interest before securing a workshop over the weekend of 28th/29th July.

Please email karen@ukca.org.uk if you are interested in this workshop.

We look forward to hearing from you.

UKCA Northern Ireland Representative, Karen Graham was one of the delegates invited on the priority Guest list which included:

• Paul Clark from UTV who chaired the proceedings
• Minister of Health Edwin Poots MLA
• John News from Sport NI
• Dr David Hassan University of Ulster
• Director of Public Affairs from the FIA
• Volunteer Now Representative
• Director SHSCT Promoting Wellbeing was also on the Guest list and panel for the exciting seminar.

Many objectives and visions were shared as each organisation delivered their strategy and vision in this the year of London 2012 to get “our nation active”.

Startling statistics highlighted at the seminar outlined the huge burden on the health service and the stark rise in silent killer chronic diseases such as diabetes and chronic heart disease were concerns raised by all delegates.

The reassuring evidence of the work and strategies being put in place by all departments in attendance highlighted the commitment, care and quality of service to increasing the health of our nation.

UKCA was honoured to have its work and vision recognised and has exciting plans in place to continue its development of its vital role in providing a ‘Channel for Health & Social Education through Cheerleading.

Each year we have witnessed the skill level in the sport grow from what was level 1 in 2009 to level 4 & 5 this year in 2012.

UKCA are proud to be the pioneering and continuing driving force behind the growth & development of Cheerleading in the Home Nation.

2012 also witnessed new categories added to the Championships such as Freestyle & Street Cheer and the entries in the Stunt Group section were encouraging with 2011 being the inaugural year to promote this category.

All age divisions were represented this year from Tiny Teenies to Masters. Thank you EBAC for motivating the “will we, wont we have a go ….” future masters lurking in the NI Clubs. Hopefully we will see additional teams participate in 2013!

20 Clubs competed this year and it was fantastic to witness new grass root teams and clubs participate proving that the sport is booming in Northern Ireland under the direction of UKCA education system.

520 Cheerleaders took to the floor, including this year our first male competitors from Ravens & EBAC and the venue was seated to capacity prompting perhaps a bigger venue for 2013.  It was also encouraging to see our school teams enter the open categories too.

What a giant step forward in the development of our sport of smiles.

UKCA has trained in excess of 6200 Coaches, Teachers & Young Leaders and 2012 is so far proving to be the most active and successful yet. Credit must be given to our amazing President Mrs Pat Hawkins who continues to work tirelessly to support UKCA work here in the Home Nation, as well as around the world.

Congratulations to all Coaches, Helpers and Cheerleaders for all your hard work in giving us all a day to remember.

European Championships selection

Congratulations also go to the Top 4 Northern Ireland Teams who received an invitation from UKCA to represent at the 2012 European Championships in Rimini, Italy this summer: Galaxy GTC, Galway City Cougars, Mullabuoy Mayhem, Olympus Girls Club & Riada Rockets.

Antrim Borough Council has been proactive in establishing this exciting event for Primary Schools in the Council area. The event will be aimed at grass root level Cheerleading, in partnership with UKCA, with end goals of encouraging even greater participation in our sport and ultimately, attendance at the National Schools Competition 2013.

The event is also in conjunction with the Active Antrim Programme to encourage healthy lifestyles and participation in sport, echoing the Mission of UKCA.

Northern Ireland Representative Karen Graham will be supporting the Council & delighted to be Judging on the day, whilst mentoring UKCA qualified Antrim Coach Samantha Burrell who has been admirably teaching the routines to the participating schools in preparation for 31^st May.

We will keep you updated with results and images.

3rd June

UKCA will be in attendance as 3 Northern Ireland Squads perform to huge crowds as the Olympic Torch comes to Ballycastle on the Northern Coastline.

5^th June

UKCA Northern Ireland Representative Karen Graham will lead workshops to 100’s of school children in the South of the Region, Portadown, as the Olympic Torch comes to town.

Both events will be televised

UKCA is delighted to be included yet again for a third year, an important role, in the lead up to London 2012

 What an exciting and frantic year for Cheerleading in Northern Ireland!

Thousands of children braved rain and cold to take part in the sixth and biggest Festival of Youth Sport yet.

Sports including badminton, basketball, netball, golf, girls’ football, athletics, water polo, handball, gymnastics and cricket were held across the county.

Sports Flintshire’s Julie Rice-Williams organised the festival and said a record number of children had taken part.

She said: “It has been a fantastic event and the kids have really enjoyed it.
“The rain hasn’t dampened the spirits and it held off for the opening ceremony, which was amazing.

“It has been a record-breaking year in terms of attendance and the number of sports.”

The opening ceremony was held at Deeside College before participants were transported to other locations to take part in their chosen sports.

The festival, supported by Airbus and Sport Wales, is the largest of its kind for schools in Wales and was held yesterday to mark the 100 day countdown to the London games.

Julie said: “The aim is to reach children who do not traditionally take part in these events. That is why we have included sports like cheerleading and street dance.
“This can give them the focus to carry on doing sport.

“We are also looking at setting up club structures, the festival is just the start.”
Special guests included Wales international Rugby League and North Wales Crusaders player, Christian Roots, and GB Basketball squad member Devan Bailey.

The 6ft 2 in ‘guard’ plays professional basketball for the British Basketball League team Mersey Tigers.

The biggest draw during the festival was the street dance event, which saw more than 700 children take part in a host of competitions at Airbus.

Evie Stones, six, of Whitford CP School, near Holywell, took part in the dance event.
She said: “I have really enjoyed learning about the Olympics. It has been a very exciting day.”

In preparation for the festival, schools in Flintshire had received free coaching for the events they entered.

Original Article in The Leader

Matalan Sporting Promise aims to get more children involved with sport by offering alternatives to traditional sport, as well as Street Cheer these sports include Parkour, Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball and Jump Rope.

More than one hundred children from across London attended a School Sports Day with a Difference with Sir Steve Redgrave on Thursday 22nd of March to demonstrate the new skills they have learned.

Sir Steve Redgrave said: “Matalan Sporting Promise is all about encouraging children to take part in a variety of activities – not just the traditional sports – so it was fantastic for them to demonstrate what they’ve learned at Trafalgar Square today. Sport is such an important part of children’s wellbeing, so it’s vital we continue to support the teachers who are running PE lessons across the country.”

Watch the interview with Sir Steve to find out more:

Thank you to Northern Ireland Allstars, North Antrim Kestrels, Belfast Titans & Belfast Wolves and cheer Mums + Dads for palying an important role, your presence goes a long way in having Cheerleading recognised as a sport.

All squads made new friends and are excited about getting together yet again at the looming UKCA 4th Northern Ireland Championship on the 31st March whre even more friendhips will be made. Northern Ireland welcomes all our new English Nation competitors and of course southern Ireland competitors.

This audition process is the fruition of the LTAD Programme for Cheerleading in N.I. Having now an established a junior/senior ALLSTARS Home Nations Squad, stage two was the recruitment for a minors development section.

The success and growth in awareness of Cheerleading in Northern Ireland under the guidance and education of UKCA has made this a reality. The current members are to be congratulated for their recent success at UKCA Nationals in Manchester and ongoing development and PR at home.

The girls showed true cheer spirit as they encouraged on the minors during the selection procedure. All successful applicants have now been notified.

For any further applications please email karen@ukca.org.uk.