Northern Ireland

NI Competition – A Parent’s View

April 15, 2011 by UKCA Admin

On the 9th April 2011 I attended the National Cheerleading Dance competition at the Antrim Forum, Northern Ireland. My eldest girl was competing with the Riada Rockets and myself, my partner and our other 2 youngest children supported.

I would just like to state as a family day out it is probably up there as one of the best. The atmosphere and excitement was second to none with my non competing children dancing, cheering and singing (I did a little too). The families and friends of all the competing teams not only added to this excitement and fun but also showed and expressed their support and gratitude to all teams that took part.

As a person from a sporting background having represented Northern Ireland at schoolboy, youth and junior international football the manner in which competitors and supporters carried theirselves should be applauded. A lot could be learned from other sporting associations. The competing teams showed fantastic sportsmanship both in victory and defeat and on one occasion a girl who came runner-up walked over to the winning team hugging and congratulating several girls of that team. This, without doubt, is the equitte and understanding of sport I would want my children to be involved with.

I would also like to pass on a big thankyou, from my family, to all the organisers, support staff and M.C.. Without you all this would not have been possible.

And finally to all the competitors, everyone of you were fantastic and for the day that you gave my family, all of you are winners.

“WE ARE PROUD OF YOU”

Harry Love.

Fantastic Weekend for Cheerleading in Northern Ireland

April 11, 2011 by UKCA Admin

This weekend saw the 2011 UKCA Northern Ireland Schools, Community and Club Championships at the Antrim Forum, Antrim, Northern Ireland.

The Schools Championships kicked off the competition on Friday with squads from Primary and Secondary Schools across Northern Ireland displaying routines in Cheerleading, Recreational Dance and Pom Dance.

Saturday saw the Community and Club Championships, stepping up the levels and producing a fantastic display of talent in Cheerleading, Group Stunt and Pom Dance.

The competition proved that not only has the number of Cheerleaders in N.Ireland increased but also the standard of the teams has improved, with three Junior teams from N.Ireland being invited by the UKCA to represent the UK in the European Sunshine Cup, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in July this year.

Over the weekend we saw special displays from the N.Ireland Allstars, in both Cheerleading and Cheer Dance and Hip Hop team Phoenix Fire Crew impressed us with a Hip Hop routine, showing off some of the best talent in N.Ireland.

Everyone involved agreed that the whole weekend was great success and the development of Cheerleading within N.Ireland is continuing to grow thanks to the effort of all cheerleaders, coaches and the hard work of the UKCA N.Ireland Representative, Karen Graham.

A big thankyou to all cheerleaders, coaches, volunteers and spectators involved in the competition, without you the competition would not have been as great a success as it was. We are proud of you, say we are proud of you!

For more information on Cheerleading in N.Ireland please contact Karen Graham – karen@ukca.org.uk

Northern Ireland gets active in the build up to the 2012 Olympics

February 28, 2011 by UKCA Admin

UKCA Northern Ireland Representative Karen Graham has joined forces with Belfast City Council & Mr Ryan Haire, Partnership Officer, to deliver Cheerleading sessions to over 1000 school children in the greater Belfast area.

On the last Thursday of each month a UKCA Representative will meet and deliver a “Come & Try” session to invited schools in the following venues, Grove Leisure Centre, Shankill LC, Falls LC and Ballysillan LC.

Such was the success of the Olympic festival last July 2010 in the Ormeau Sportplex with 2000 children trying their skill at Cheerlading that UKCA have been deployed once again to educate and motivate Belfast schools to get active.

Craigavon Intercultural Project have also booked UKCA Representative and NI Team to lead a further Sport Comes 2 Town this summer in association with Ulster University Sports Academy.

Northern Ireland Cheerleading Squad

February 18, 2011 by UKCA Admin

Following the 2010 success of N.Irelands first National Dance and Cheerleading Teams, the Squad Director and Coaching Team invite Cheerleaders to attend auditions for 2011 selection.

Saturday 20th August 2011
venue Antrim Forum 10am to 2pm
£20 per candidate

Places will be offered upon successful performance of criteria on the day for the following:
JUNIOR TEAMS

Junior Dance Team – 10 to 15 yrs
Junior Cheerleading Team – 10 to15 yrs
Candidates must not have reached their 15th birthday by 1st August 2011
SENIOR TEAMS

Senior Dance Team – 15 to 30yrs
Senior Cheerleading Team – 15 to 30yrs
Candidates must not have reached their 30th birthday by 1st August 2011

Requirements for Dance Teams:
Front Splits both legs

Box Splits

Requirements for Cheerleading Teams:
Mimimum Tumbling level:

Roundoff

Walkover front / back

Flexibility:

Front Splits both legs

Box Splits
Experience:
Must be currently active within a club in execution of Stunts and Tumbling skills
NOTE: Put this date in your diary…………………….
Application forms will be available June 2011

Northern Ireland get ready, start preparations now for All Star Auditions, be a part of our Home Nation Teams.

Audition date and requirements and age of entry may be subject to change at the discretion of The Squad Director
Karen Graham
Home Nation Squad Director
UKCA Representative

ECC Competition Dates Announced

November 26, 2010 by UKCA Admin

The ECC Cheerleading Championships 2011 will take place on the 2nd and 3rd of July in Ljublijana, Slovenia.

Winners of several 2011 Elite & Club National Cheerleading and Cheer Dance Categories will be eligible to represent the UKCA at this prestegious competition.

More information will be supplied to coaches immediately after the Award Ceremony on Sunday 21st March 2011.

Northern Ireland ALLSTARS

November 15, 2010 by UKCA Admin

Saturday 2nd October marked a major milestone for Cheerleading in Northern Ireland as UKCA Regional Representative Karen Graham held inaugural auditions for an ALLSTAR Squad with newly appointed Squad Coaches Cathy Bell-Allen and Sara McNeilly.

Cheerleading coaches — Karen Graham, Tarren Smarr and Cathy Bell-Allen

30 young athletes turned up at the audition venue and were put through an intense series of workshops to select the final team under the watchful eyes of Karen, Cathy and Sara.

The outcome of the day resulted in a Junior Cheerleading Squad and Senior Dance Squad.
The standard was very high and set the bench mark for what will be an exciting year ahead.
Tumbling and stunting skills matched the expectations of the Squad Coaches as did the standard of dance.

The Auditions will now be an annual part of Northern Ireland’s Long Term Athlete Development Plan as it strives to follow UKCA’s model and Competition Pathway to prepare its athletes for Elite, European and World level Championships.

The newly appointed squads are now preparing for their first Elite UKCA Championships in March 2011.

As Squad Director I am excited that the establishment of an ALL STAR SQUAD will raise the bar on Cheerleading both here and in the UK and will further achieve the recognition that Cheerleading deserves.

TEAM UK NATIONAL COACH VISIT
Saturday 30th marked the first visit to N.Ireland of Team UK National Coach Tarren Smarr.
Tarren put the newly appointed squad through their paces in a 6 hour training schedule and the squad did not disappoint.
Workshops were delivered in tumbling, jump technique, stunts and transitions and flexibility.
Tarren certainly left the squad and coaches enthused and very much inspired as her passion and drive for Cheerleading were infectious throughout the day.
We all look forward very much to our next training day together.

Karen Graham
UKCA N.Ireland Representative
ALLSTAR SQUAD DIRECTOR

International Competition In Italy

October 15, 2010 by UKCA Admin

The second international cheerleading competition in ITALY:

II. MILLENIUM CUP 2011

organised by Cheerdance Millenium from Trieste will take place on Saturday, March 19th 2011 in the biggest sportshall in Trieste – “Palatrieste”.

The deadline to register your group is February 19th 2011 on this e-mail: info@cheerdancemillenium.com

You can fly in to Trieste, we can also find the accomodation in hostels from 16-20€ per person.

The following age divisions exist:
*PEE WEE: 1998 and younger
*JUNIOR: 1993 – 1999
*SENIOR: 1996 and older

The following cheer divisions exist:
*Allgirl Cheer
*Coed Cheer
*Groupstunt
*Partnerstunt
*Individuals

The following team dance divisions exist:
*Cheerdance groups
*Cheerdance double dance

The registration fees for the championship depend on the number of divisions an individual person competes in. Coaches and assistants have free entrance:

1 division p. person = 12€
2 and more divisions p. person= 15€

We hope to see you in Trieste!

Best regards
Nastja Milic
ASD Cheerdance Millenium – Trieste – Italy

Poms at a great price!

September 13, 2010 by UKCA Admin

Cheerleading Pom Poms

Fifth international Warsaw Championships 09.10.2010

August 20, 2010 by UKCA Admin

Warsaw Cheerleading Association K-12 is very happy to invite all foreign teams on V-th International Warsaw Championships. Competition will be held on 9.10.2010 in Warsaw on Sport Arena “Koło”.

On the competition we will have cheer dance division (international in pee wee, junior and senior)and pom dance. Rules will be as in ECA (one long routine with obligatory elements) and the competitions will be judged by international judge panel.

We invite all foreign teams (in all age categories) to Warsaw from 8.10 till 10.10.2008.
We can offer you a full package for 180 Euro – the costs per person will include:

accommodation with breakfast (2 nights) in hotel Aramis
1 dinner on Friday
Transport (airport-hotel-airport, train station-airport-train station, hotel-sport arena-hotel)
Starting fee
lunch on the competition
official supper after competition (for coaches and VIP)

We pay for 1 coach. (for the full package)

Money transfers on:
Nordea Bank Polska S.A
SFIWT : NDEAPLP2; IBAN: PL 49 1440 1299 0000 0000 0697 4945

Deadline of registration – 20.09.2010
If you have any questions please write to our contact person:
Contact person – Ann Polatowska
thunderk12@wp.pl

Best regards
WCA K-12 – RUTA and EDWARD KRAJEWSCY

Best Ever ECC?

July 20, 2010 by UKCA Admin

As usual UKCA were well represented at ECC 2010 in Helsinki on 10 and 11 July. 16 teams from 5 clubs – Gemini, Hawks, Maximum Cheer, STCA and Wild Spirit Allstars – carried our hopes in a sweltering stadium ironically called the Ice Arena. Off the floor UKCA made an equally important contribution providing 2 of the judges, 2 shadow judges who are now fully qualified at European level and the Head of ECA’s organising committee. A small but enthusiastic band of supporters kept the teams’ spirits up.

The Arena normally hosts ice hockey, which meant there was room for 2 floors and 2 panels of judges. This kept the competition flowing nicely – on the Sunday the super efficient Finns had us nearly an hour ahead of schedule!

Around 1700 athletes from 70 teams who had qualified from their own National Championships gathered to parade their skills. And what skills they were, the Scandinavians and Norway in particular dominating through teams like Viqueens. There is no doubt that the standard of competition gets higher year on year, which is what makes Cheerleading such an exciting sport to be part of right now.

Sadly this year there were no individual events, a rich source of medals in the past for UK. Phoebe Hulme and Rachael Burrows had contributed 5 in the last 3 years, culminating in Rachael’s stunning gold medal performance last year.

So where would the medals come from, if indeed anywhere? Rachael had already served notice of her abilities as a coach whilst still competing and the responsibility of founding and running her own club has allowed those talents to blossom with success at all levels of UKCA competitions this year. The other 4 teams have many years European experience between them.

Saturday was a barren day for the Seniors – the highlight being STCA’s Senior Female stunt group finishing 8th. Perhaps it was asking too much for them to repeat their 4th at the Worlds in a highly competitive discipline.

Sunday started brightly with Maximum Cheer called to the podium in the Junior Mixed Stunt Group category. It was a truly wonderful achievement in their first taste of European competition to win silver. Rachael was understandably bursting with pride at her young teams’ performance. Sadly the other junior teams were unable to build on that success.

All too quickly all the medals and trophies had been awarded and another ECC was over. The best ever? As someone with experience of just the last 3 and an organiser, it would be wrong for me to comment. But judging by the comments and thanks still pouring in it was the place to be last weekend.

Congratulations to all those who competed – just to qualify for that level of competition is an achievement. However we will be working with teams to increase the chances of moving up the rankings and hopefully bringing more medals home in future.

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