Northern Ireland

UKCA Northern Ireland at the World Police & Fire Games

July 31, 2013 by UKCA Marketing

The countdown has begun to the World Police & Fire Games in Belfast starting on 1st August. 3600 volunteers are eagerly anticipating the opening ceremony.

This year’s proceedings include a star turn from the UKCA Northern Ireland Cheerleaders, who will perform their routine to lead on 500 athletes from Canada. The team of 20 cheerleaders from six Northern Ireland clubs has been brought together by National Squad Director, Karen Graham.

The girls have been preparing and rehearsing their choreography hard over the last few weeks to their chosen track, ‘Hollywood’ by Michael Bublé.

The World Police & Fire Games is biennial event for serving and retired police, fire, prison and bored security officers. The third largest international multi-sport event in the world and the largest sporting event to take place in Northern Ireland. This year will see 56 sports, including badminton, rugby, wrestling and cycling, held at 41 venues across Northern Ireland.

The opening ceremony will be the showcase event and will take place on Thursday 1st August at a specially constructed arena at the King Hall’s complex in Belfast. It represents the official welcome of athletes and their friends and family in a bright, colourful and vibrant carnival atmosphere.

BBC Northern Ireland will bring full, live coverage of the opening ceremony of the 20th World & Police Fire Games. Live pictures will be beamed across the world through online streaming, to access the live stream log on to bbc.co.uk/northernireland/. Coverage begins at 6.30pm (BST).

It’s a true honour for the UKCA Northern Ireland cheerleaders to be involved in this huge event.

We wish you a massive good luck!

“We are proud of you. We say, we are proud of you!”

Northern Ireland Allstar’s Sponsored Gibraltar Row

June 21, 2013 by UKCA Marketing

Cheerleading has reached new heights since its introduction to Northern Ireland back in 2008. Northern Ireland has hosted its fifth National Championships and the event attracts more young people to the dynamic and all inclusive team sport each year.

The sport is recognised at National and Junior European level under the guidance of UKCA regional development representative, Karen Graham.

Karen – lead tutor and a judge here at the UKCA – is also head coach and director for the Northern Ireland Allstar cheerleading squad. The squad trains in three disciplines – cheerleading, cheer dance and street cheer – and is made up of cheerleaders from across Northern Ireland who have been selected at annual auditions to represent the country at UK Elite and European championships.

Karen has recently received an invitation from the Gibraltar Cheer Association to host an International Summer Camp. The project is the first of its kind between the two nations and allows Northern Ireland athletes to perform and compete alongside European teams.

The most recent development has been the recognition received from Andrew Lavery from BodyLab N.I. Andrew is recognised for supporting local athletes in various sporting disciplines. As a sports professional and athlete, he understands the demanding skill requirements, dedication and hard work that goes into cheerleading, especially with it reaching this exciting stage in its short time in N.I. He has generously offered his premises for a support base to the Northern Ireland Allstars, who are participating in a sponsored row to Gibraltar.

The 3000k row in July 2014 is to raise funds for the team and head coach to join with the Gibraltar Cheer Association for the International Summer Camp. The Gibraltar local council have awarded funding to make the event a huge success because they recognise that it will be a major development for the sport of cheerleading.

The Allstars are currently working hard to raise contributions for the much needed funds. Friends, family members and clientele of BodyLab N.I gym are all invited to get on board and clock up the miles to help earn pounds for the squad.

To follow their story, visit the Allstars Facebook page.

A Successful Coaching Course in Belfast

April 22, 2013 by UKCA Admin

If you haven’t yet attended a UKCA course, you may wonder how it works. Karen Graham got in touch with a report about a recent coaching course held in Belfast. Have a read…

“A further 15 coaches gained their UKCA coach education certification in Belfast on the 6th & 7th April and an enjoyable and spirited weekend was had by all.

UKCA Tutors Karen Graham & Kimberley Clark delivered the syllabus over the weekend to a most enthusiastic and motivated group of adults. Candidates aged between 18-40 yrs attended both Basic Cheerleading Skills and Basic Stunts courses.”

“The Home Country also made history by having their first male coach attend UKCA courses and successfully earn his qualifications.

Gary came with an open mind and got fully involved in all aspects of the syllabus and as a multi-skills coach, he commented on how technical and dynamic our sport of smiles was.

Quote “It looks easy until you try it, there is lots to think about and a lot of co-ordination needed”

What a role model Gary was, come on men – your sport needs you!”

The following courses are being delivered in Belfast during May 2013 – BOOK your place now!
Street Cheer Basic Skills
Basic Tumbling
This course will cover all static and travelling tumbling skills – back and forward rotations from basic roll to walk over.

For our full course listings click here.

TESTIMONIALS

‘Brilliant weekend’
Natalie – Belfast

‘Brilliant Stunt course – wish it could have been longer!’
Debbie – Belfast

‘Fantastic Stunt course in Belfast today!!! Karen & Kim the Tutors were amazing!’
Kirsty – Newtownabbey

‘Some workout! really enjoyed it’
Gary – Belfast

So there you have it, new skills and experience gained by all who attended and a fantastic day packed full of fun.

If you have attended one of our courses and would like to share your experience with a write up and pictures, please feel free to get in touch! We’d love to hear about your experience. Contact us at marketing@ukca.org.uk

A Flash mob for Cancer Focus

March 6, 2013 by UKCA Admin

Last week Cancer Focus held a Flash Mob in Corn Market, Belfast. A team of 40 dancers – all part of the UK Cheerleading Association – performed a fantastic routine to encourage the Saturday shoppers to run the Belfast Marathon for Cancer Focus in 2013.

The flash mob was a great success. A brilliant time was had by all and many people stopped by to enjoy the routine and learn more about the charity and their events. The UKCA are proud to be a part of this fantastic fundraising effort.

UKCA Northern Ireland Support Cancer Focus 2

This wouldn’t have been possible without Karen Graham, UK Cheerleading Assoc NI Rep, cheerleading Tutor and coach, and our lovely admin assistant, who put forward her hard working squads to be the cheering faces of Cancer Focus’ flash mob and has brought cheer to a few of our fundraising events! Thank you!

Antrim Borough Council Feedback

February 27, 2013 by UKCA Admin

I hope that the rest of proceedings at the weekend went as well as Friday!

I just wanted to send you a quick email just to say a sincerely massive thank you for making Friday so special for all our schools participants. The feedback we have had has been fantastic with many parents enquiring about our local club afterwards.

Your team of volunteers (including your good self and Karen) are a phenomenal bunch of people and they made the event as enjoyable for me as they did to all the children.

I can’t convey to you enough how much I valued all the help and support from UKCA to make our Primary Schools Cheer event such a success in 2013.

I will keep you posted on how our Antrim All stars squad works out with the participants from Fridays event who were selected to train with this squad as part of our Aspire Sport Programme.

Roll on 2014!

‘Let’s go cheer team let’s go!!’

Kindest regards

Janine
Development Manager, Active Communities Programme
Antrim Borough Council

UKCA Northern Ireland Championships 2013 Results

February 25, 2013 by UKCA Admin

CHEERLEADING LEVEL 1

Tiny Teenies	Teenies
1. Belfast Titans 2. Omagh Panthers 3. Galaxy Tinies	1. Newtownabbey Allstars Sparkles 2. Belfast Wolves 3. Omagh Panthers

Junior A	Junior B	Senior
1. Mullabuoy P.S 2. South Belfast Eagles 3. Omagh Panthers	1. Galaxy Sparkles 2. Coleraine College 3. Sandy Row Falcons	1. Galaxy Heat 2. Sandy Row Falcons 3. South Belfast Eagles

CHEERLEADING LEVEL 2

Junior A	Junior B	Senior
1. Belfast Titans	1. Newtownabbey Allstars Comets	1. Moira Vipers

CHEERLEADING LEVEL 3

Junior B	Senior
1. Riada Rockets	1. Galaxy Elite 2. Ulster Elks

GROUP STUNT LEVEL 1

Tiny Teenies	Teenies	Junior A
1. Riada Rockets Sparks 2. Riada Rockets Gold	1. Belfast Wolves	1. Galaxy Sparks 2. Belfast Titans

GROUP STUNT LEVEL 2

Junior A	Junior B	Senior
1. Belfast Titans Olympic 2. Belfast Titans Brittanic	1. Silver Stars 2. Riada Rockets	1. Silverstars

GROUP STUNT LEVEL 3

Junior A	Junior B	Senior
1. Galaxy Maximum	1. Riada Rockets Fusion	1. Galaxy Starlets 2. Riada Rockets Ignite

GROUP STUNT LEVEL 4

Senior
1. Riada Rockets Xplosion

PARTNER STUNT

1. Silver Stars

POM DANCE LEVEL 1

Tiny Teenies	Teenies
1. Olympus Girls Club	1. Olympus Girls Club

Junior A

Junior B

Senior

1. Olympus Girls Club 1. Olympus Girls Club
2. Sandy Row Falcons 1. Olympus Girls Club
2. Sandy Row Falcons

POM DANCE LEVEL 2

Senior
1. Academy Dance

STREET CHEER

Crew
1. Sandy Row Falcons

Cancer Focus Cheering Flash Mob: Spoiler Alert!

February 25, 2013 by UKCA Admin

Some of you might have already heard the exciting news that Cancer Focus are holding a Flash Mob this Saturday 2nd March at 2:30pm in Corn Market, Belfast, to encourage shoppers to run the Belfast Marathon for Cancer Focus in 2013.

For those of you that don’t know what a flash mob is, here are a couple of videos to give you an idea. This one happened in Central Station, Belfast and this one you might have seen on a TV advert for T mobile.

We have a team of 40 dancers performing a routine who are all part of the UK Cheerleading Association. One of the dancers will start performing to a music medley and gradually more and more cheerleaders/dancers will join in from the crowds of shoppers/coffee dancers/onlookers. It will last approx 5mins and there’ll be some low-level cheerleading stunts included! The mob is going to be filmed by a company who will record the dancers as well as onlookers reactions. We’ll be uploading it to youtube and sharing it on Facebook on Saturday. Please help it go viral by ‘liking’ it and sharing it on facebook, or emailing it to your friends.

But we need a bit of help! After the mob have finished dancing we are going to hand out our Marathon foot flyers so we need as many volunteers as possible to blast the crowd before they disperse. Could you please (and your husband/wive/children!) spare 30mins this Saturday afternoon to watch the mob, hand out the flyers and help is collect any flyers left behind? That’s all we need and then you’re free to go! You could incorporate it into a days shopping J This is going to be a really fun event so please get involved! The dance is starting at 2:30pm and you would be finished at 3pm

If you are free, please let me know ASAP, Thursday 28th Feb at the latest, so we know to expect you and can forward any organisational details.

UKCA Northern Ireland Schools’ & National Championships 2013 Testimonials

February 25, 2013 by UKCA Admin

‘Such a great event, well done to you and your team!
Thank you for all your help over the last few weeks. I am looking forward to entering more teams next year’
High School Dance Teacher

‘Fantastic day – loved every minute of it’
Team Coach

‘Awesome’
12 year old Cheerleader

‘Best event ever. I haven’t stopped dancing and cheering all day!’
Cheer Mom

‘Hats off to UKCA staff, another great event, loved every minute’
Sligo Silverstars

Just wanted to say a massive thank you for Saturday. We are only new to the cheerleading world, only starting five months ago and only deciding to compete 7 weeks ago, we had such a fantastic day on Saturday. It was such a great opportunity for us and our girls to see all the other teams involved, we learnt so much from just being there and the girls were delighted to take part and place in their categories. Really looking forward to the year ahead and competing again next year. Thanks for a great day!:)
Clare Haughey, Omagh Panthers.

Northern Ireland Course Update

November 8, 2012 by UKCA Admin

Saturday & Sunday, 3rd & 4th November saw UKCA Northern Ireland deliver even more Coach Education Courses in the region.

Candidates at the Belfast Courses this weekend worked hard through out both days, completing theoretical and practical tasks as part of their ongoing assessment.

All candidates were successful and a huge thank you must also go to the spirited Cheerleaders, Megan, Holly & Grainne from Galaxy Club & Meghan, Orlaith, Sancha and Georgia from Titans Club for assisting the candidate Coaches in the practical tasks.

2009 witnessed the first of the, popular, progressive, quality Coach Ed Courses being rolled out in the Home Country.

The UKCA Coach Education has broadened its customer base quickly since the inaugural NI Courses with the following now being delivered:
Leadership
Basic Cheerleading
Basic Stunts
Basic Tumbling
Basic Street Cheer

Workshops:
Cheer Dance
Street Cheer
“What the Judges are looking for” to name but a few.

The next Coach Ed Event will take place in Omagh with a Stunt Workshop.

If you wish to have a course or workshop delivered in your area or club simply email courses@ukca.org.uk or regional rep karen@ukca.org.uk.

Our Team are only too happy to facilitate its members in their personal skill development and club development.

Goldmark – Volunteering in Northern Ireland

October 29, 2012 by UKCA Admin

Tuesday 9th October witnessed the culmination of many months of ‘behind the scenes’ hard work, bringing to fruition our pilot launch of the GOLDMARK Award Scheme.

Wendy Osborne OBE, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now said:

“Millennium Volunteers and GOLDMARK celebrate the achievements gained through volunteering and we are delighted that the UK Cheerleading Association is now a Delivery Partner. For many UK Cheerleading Association volunteers they will be demonstrating personal and skills development which enhance opportunities for further education, career development and personal satisfaction. We look forward to working with UK Cheerleading Association as they aim to further promote, support and recognise their young volunteers.”

Participating in this exciting pilot are 5 UKCA NI Clubs dedicated to promoting the sport and more importantly valuing their UKCA Cheer Volunteers. With 40 young people signing up to the UKCA/GOLDMARK NI Volunteer pilot launch at The Spectrum Centre in Belfast, this project has already exceeded expectations.

UKCA NI Rep Karen Graham & Lyne Greenwood from Volunteer Now NI delivered an introduction into the scheme. A motivating power-point guide on the work and success of the scheme in the UK highlighted the reward and enhancement of future career choices and opportunities through participation with GOLDMARK, alongside the development of important skills such as communication, organisation and time management.

The 5 clubs involved in the pilot were actively seeking a development pathway for the many volunteers they rely on to support their classes on a weekly basis. All were ideal and committed candidates for the UKCA launch and Volunteers were presented with their award scheme logbooks and special packs.

The Volunteers will present video blogs on their progress at the 5th Northern Ireland UKCA National Cheerleading Championships next February 2013.

Following the Volunteers presentation in February from the 5 clubs, UKCA will open the GOLDMARK project to all its Northern Ireland members. We hope that the success and experience of the 40 young Volunteers will inspire many more of our members to get active with GOLDMARK and in return, receive a nationally recognised award for their volunteer hours.

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