Cheerleading

Cheerleading Hits The Headlines: Part Two

February 21, 2014 by UKCA Admin

It’s been a truly positive day for the world of Cheerleading and the press coverage continues. Macclesfield’s Maximum Cheer featured on Sky News today around 5.20pm, talking about how excellent of a sport Cheerleading is whilst showing off some of their skills.

If you missed the report on Sky News, we managed to get hold of these screenshots of the team along with coach Rachael Burrows:

We will keep you up-to-date with all the coverage as it comes through. It’s days like these that leave us with a massive smile on our face here at the UKCA. We are proud of you, say we are proud of you!

What do you think about the news? What’s your opinion? Get in touch and let us know – we’d love to hear from.

Cheerleading Hits The Headlines

February 21, 2014 by UKCA Admin

Cheerleading is in the press today in a big way. Tory MP Helen Grant has suggested that more women should take up sport. She say’s that Cheerleading is a fantastic way to encourage women to get involved in more activity.

Here at UKCA, we wholeheartedly agree! Not just women either, people of all ages are involved with Cheerleading up and down the country.

We feel that this is a very positive announcement and that the government are finally beginning to acknowledge what we have known all along – Cheerleading is a sport! And a fantastic one at that. We have over 7000 people attending with over 4000 competing in our Cheerleading comp happening in just 3 weeks time!

The announcement has also led to some debate, with certain people saying that encouraging women to take up a ‘feminine’ sport is sexist. Here at the UKCA, we think that anything that encourages the people of the UK to take up this awesome sport can only be a good thing.

Anyone who has tried Cheerleading or actively partakes in the sport will know that it is not for the faint hearted! The hours and hours of rehearsals, the highs and the heartbreaks – we know just how dedicated you have to be!

Read some of the articles here & here.

We are very pleased to see Cheerleading getting recognition in the press, this is a big step forward. What do you think about the news? What’s your opinion? Get in touch and let us know – we’d love to hear from.

Level 1 Cheerleading Leadership Award at Wright Robinson College

February 10, 2014 by UKCA Admin

Last weekend, Wright Robinson College hosted our Level 1 Cheerleading Leadership Award course for UKCA coaches. The course teaches arm motions, jump technique, cheers, chants and choreography. As well as this it gives the skills to lesson plan and covers skills – including an introduction to cheerleading – necessary to coach at a basic level in schools and community clubs/groups.

The course is aimed at under 18-year-olds who want to gain some coaching/teaching experience the focus of this course is communication, motivation and safety. Success on the course awards participants with a Leadership Award that allows them to then go on and participate in our Level 2 Basic Skills Qualification.

Check out these pictures and tweets from the course:

@UKCheerleading: “Busy leadership course underway this morning #coachesofthefuture”

@UKCheerleading: “Dynamic stretching time at leadership course #coachesofthefuture”

@brace_gaines: “Had a great day with @UKCheerleading and passed my leadership course!”

For information on what courses are available, please check out our course diary.

Congratulations to King’s School

February 10, 2014 by UKCA Admin

The King’s school in Macclesfield flew out to Orlando, Florida last Friday to represent the UK at the World Schools’ Cheerleading Championships over the weekend. You can read here all about their journey and experience at the gathering of thousands of cheerleaders.

King's School

We received the amazing results from the UKCA National School Championship team this morning:

– Third in Group Stunt
– Fourth in Large Team Competition
– Second overall in the championships behind America!

A huge congratulations to Coach Rachael Burrows and the 30 strong team from Cheshire! We are proud of you, say we are proud of you!

It’s All About Confidence

February 5, 2014 by UKCA Admin

The best way to have a great competition experience is to feel like you’ve performed at your absolute best. But performing at your very best doesn’t just involve wearing the best cheer uniform, getting all the stunts right and having slick choreography; you need to look and feel confident!

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No matter how experienced of a cheerleader you are – whether you’re just starting out or been at it for years – you can’t help but get those butterflies in your stomach before taking to the floor. It’s perfectly natural but can take over your mind and body. You can’t necessarily change this about you, however you can act and look like you’re confident by following some of these tips:

Tip #1 – Banish Nerves

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Before you take to the floor, it’s important to relax. Humming a slow song or visualising a calm scene in your mind can help your mind slow down. If your stomach is feeling funny, eating a banana will get rid of any nausea without making you feel full. Do a few stretches to relieve tension – roll your shoulders, take deep breaths, and stretch your arms, backs and legs.

If you have the time, find a quiet place to meditate – relax and concentrate on deep breathing. Avoid caffeine and any energy drinks as they’ll make you extra jittery.

Laughter is a great distraction from worrying. Chat with your friends, tell a couple of jokes

Tip #2 – Build Team Confidence

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In order for everyone to perform at their best, the whole team has to be confident and united. Team building activities is a great way to do some extra bonding with your squad. You could even do a team sleepover to get everyone excited and remind everyone that competitions are supposed to be fun.

Create various goals at the beginning of the competition season. As the season progresses, celebrate when you approach or surpass a goal! If you focus on winning at competitions, you’ll set yourself up for failure if you don’t always win first place. A good aim is to get a better score than you did in previous competitions.

After a competition, take some time as a group to share one thing each teammate did well during the performance. It will help maintain a positive attitude as we are proud of ALL of you, we are proud of ALL of you.

Don’t forget to like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with all the UKCA news.

The King’s School in Macclesfield Represent the UK

January 29, 2014 by UKCA Admin

This February sees one of the UKCA teams represent the UK in the group stunt event at the World School Cheerleading Championships in USA. The King’s School will be the first ever Macclesfield school to represent the UK in the competition held in Florida. The team of 30 girls qualified to represent their school and country in the prestigious event by winning numerous national titles at the UKCA School Championships. They are entering Cheerleading and Stunt Group categories.

UKCA Kings squad
Back row: Lucy Miller, Grace Pulley, Holly Brierley, Jessie Milton Edwards, Lauren Whitney, Rowena Moores, Kira Stevenson, Fran Robbins and Ellie Holder
Middle row: Fiona Cornish, Nikki Hughes, Tilly Stott, Emily Naismith, Evie Homer, Polly Cartwright, Lauren Kitchen and Eleanor Collett
Front row: Emily Underwood, Kelly Corcoran, Briony Phillips, Sophie Jackson, Antonia Bianchi, Olivia Moores, Jessie Krajewski, Izzy Stevens and Millie Turner
(Missing from photo but on the World Championships team are Ella Solomon, Mimi Stevens, Katie Fray and Beth Burrows.)

King School’s Cheerleading coach Rachael Burrows-Jarvis said: “This team of girls have worked hard at Cheerleading for many years to achieve this world standard with a large number now in their ninth year. Cheerleading involves stunts, gymnastics, jumps, dance and a cheer all choreographed together to create a dynamic, clean routine which is entertaining for the crowd and judges.”

The school will be competing in the International team event and the Group Event against countries from all over the world. This involves four girls throwing up numerous stunts for one minute to music, technique precision, fast transitions, team work, and crowd appeal. The four girls involved are Lauren Whitney, Bethany Burrons, Olivia Moores and Rowena Moores.

Rachael added: “The girls have worked hard at the routines and are striving to show the world what King’s and the UK can do. To make a cheerleading routine successful it is imperative that team members attend all practices as the sport relies heavily on all team members being present and practising together. For example, if one member is absent then the whole pyramid cannot be practised. It also builds up trust between members and improves strength and technique.”

“I am extremely proud of the girls and I am looking forward to their performance on the world stage and the great feeling of representing your country at something you really enjoy and have worked hard for.”

The girl will be wearing tracksuits and polo shirts which have been kindly sponsored by Lauren Whitney’s parents’ company TechTex and Richard Milner Developments.

We wish the team every success in the States and know they will do their best to make the UKCA proud!

Intermediate Tumbling at Wright Robinson College – 11/01/14

January 14, 2014 by UKCA Admin

Last weekend, Wright Robinson College hosted our Intermediate Tumbling course for UKCA coaches. The course enables participants to coach handsprings and vertical rotations within stunts and basket tosses.

The course is aimed for participants aged 13 and up who hold the UKCA Cheerleading 2 Basic Stunts as well as Tumbling Level 2 Certificate. Success on the course awards participants with a Certificate of Qualification as well as the ability to become an Assistant Coach.

UKCA coach Karen Graham had this to say about the event:

Well done candidate coaches. We had a fabulous day of tumbling, very tired by the end but we certainly achieved much. We are proud of you!

Check out these pictures from the course:

Intermediate Tumbling - Warm Up

Intermediate Tumbling - Exercise

Intermediate Tumbling - Explaining Tumble

Intermediate Tumbling - Assisted Tumble

Intermediate Tumbling - Tumble

Intermediate Tumbling - Tumbling

If you’re looking to enhance your cheerleading skills, check out our Course Diary now to find a course suitable for you.

Olympic Legacy Project in North East Northamptonshire

January 9, 2014 by UKCA Admin

Chris Long, Sport Premium Officer at Prince William School in North East Northamptonshire is setting up an Olympic Legacy Project, with cheerleading a key component. The project is due to start next week and due to being let down by a coach, sessions in some of the schools are without a coach.

He is looking for a coach to take ‘Introduction to Cheerleading’ sessions for a five week block, developing a routine for competition on the 14th February in Kettering.

The schools needing a coach are:

Thrapston Primary School, Market St, Thrapston, Northants NN14 4JU. Tuesdays, 3.30-4.30.

and

Oundle Primary School, Milton Road, Oundle, Northants PE8 4AB Thursday 3.30-4.30

If you are interested in the position, email Chris Long at clong@pwschool.northants.sch.uk for more details.

Twas The Night Before Competition…

December 20, 2013 by UKCA Admin

Twas the night before competition, and all through the UKCA
Not a person was tired, ready for the big day.
The awards were hung on the wall with care
In hopes that another would soon be there.

The uniforms were nestled in the small suitcase,
The shoes were kept close and tied with lace.
Eventually to sleep, dreaming of winning,
waking to the sound of a base singing.

We ate a hearty breakfast, coach said “It is a must”.
Loaded onto the bus; leaving a trail of dust.
We entered the gym, and started to unpack,
To find nothing that we lack.

Took our seats, waiting for our time
getting excited, we just want to shine.
Pom poms shake, banners fly high,
we’re going to make the roof fly.

Taking to the floor with a skip and a hop,
just remembering not to drop.
We did our routine the best we could
as all the other teams should.

Left the mats smiling, full of cheer
that’s us done for another year
now we just wait for the result
whatever place we get, it won’t insult.

DJ Caino announces our team for the prize
we jump up cheering, what a delightful surprise.
We take the trophy and yell with glee
before grabbing our phones for a selfie.

Competition comes to an end, we just want to do it again
we’ll have to wait until Spring, for another chance to reign.
All that’s left to say is remember this day forever
Congratulations to all, and to all a good year.

Merry Christmas to all our UKCA teams!

UKCA Cheerleading Camp

December 12, 2013 by UKCA Admin

After the success of this year’s cheerleading camp, The UKCA, in partnership with Let Me Play, are offering another intense five day cheerleading camp in 2014. Hosted at the Elmhurst School for Dance in Birmingham, starting 27th July until 1st August, the camp brings together both novice and advanced cheerleaders offering the opportunity to experience a variety of cheerleading styles through entertaining, powerful and high energy routines.

Cheerleading Camp Flyer

The camp is the perfect opportunity to practice for try-outs in a fun and safe environment and promises to motivate young cheerleaders to reaching their full potential in this unique athletic discipline. Participants will develop team work skills – an essential element in the sport of cheerleading – as well as improve their individual ability and competence.

There a wide variety of activities and workshops at the camp, carried out by UKCA qualified, professional cheerleading coaches. Here’s what you can expect:

– Training in unique cheerleading skills including cheers, chants, jumps, arm motions, stunts, tumbles & dance.
– Tumbling instruction in a safe environment.
– Lessons in correct stunting techniques.
– Individual analysis and feedback.
– Perfect preparation for try-outs.
– State-of-the-art facilities comprising of 7 large dance studios, as well as a 200-seat studio theatre, and on-site accommodation and catering facilities.

The week culminates with a filmed performance and awards, watched by family and friends, which is also available on DVD.

Check out this video from the 2013 Cheerleading Camp to see what they are all about…

For more information, please call 0208 735 5379 or email info@letmeplay.co.uk.

For a 2014 application form please click here.

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