Cheerleading

Select category:

Cheerleading

Level 3 Cheerleading Basic Stunts @Cedars Academy

This half-term Cedars Academy hosted a Level 3 Cheerleading Basic Stunts course. The course is a mixture of practical and theory covering: safe stunt technique, body preparation, choreography, lesson planning and health and safety.

The course is suitable for adults over 18 (or under 18’s in year 9 or above) with the UKCA Cheerleading Basic Skills Certificate.

We received these pictures and messages from the course participants and wanted to share the cheerleaders’ hard work with you all:

Level 3 Cheerleading Basic Stunts

Level 3 Cheerleading Basic Stunts

Level 3 Cheerleading Basic Stunts

Level 3 Cheerleading Basic Stunts

Level 3 Cheerleading Basic Stunts

Katie “Kobika” Cobie: “A massive thank you to Kim and Hannah. Their delivery of the courses was wonderful and the girls have learnt a lot and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”

@laurenrosebaker: “Had an awesome 2 days thanks to @UKCheerleading. Great tutors. Great people. :D”

Level 3 Cheerleading Basic Stunts

To check out the courses we have on offer, visit the Course Diary.

Venom Stunt and Cheer at Milano’s Fashion & Gymnastics

Bank holiday weekend saw the Trafford Centre’s Great Hall taken over by acrobatic and gymnastic displays as our featured suppliers, Milano Pro Sport celebrated their 21st Birthday with a fashion and gymnastics showcase.

Spelbound

The show promised to be something the audience had never seen before with the company displaying new Milano Collections alongside gymnastic and dancing performances, including Britain’s Got Talent winners, Spelbound.

Venom Stunt and Cheer

They weren’t the only troupe to take to the stage as our very own team, Venom Stunt and Cheer also had the chance to perform to the crowd. They were also in attendance to spread the word about cheerleading and had lovely new Milano uniforms to perform in.

Venom Stunt and Cheer

Venom meets Spelbound

Venom Stunt and Cheer meet BGT’s Spelbound

They had this to say about the day:

We loved performing on the stage! We had a great day at the Trafford Centre everyone loved our new Milano uniforms – had such a fab day!

Thank you very much for representing the UKCA and cheerleading.

We are proud of you. We say we are proud of you.

Leg Stretches

Last week we told you how to get started with exercising and some simple arm, neck and torso stretches. This week we take a look at leg stretches.

Leg stretches are particularly important for making you able to do the splits without discomfort and pain. However, some of these leg stretches can be used to improve flexibility for everyone.

Remember,

It is advisable that you check with your parents/coaches first before trying poses yourself.

Take it easy with the stretches to begin with. Don’t try new stretches on your own without help, and don’t overdo them. Do what your body can handle; stretches should never hurt.

Start with a 2 to 3 minute warm up with your preferred cardio exercise, remember that you only warm up once you start sweating!

Stretches

Stretches

STEP ONE – Sit on the ground with your legs together and straight out in front of you. Reach over your legs towards your toes, keeping your back straight. Try to bring your chest closer to your legs. If this is difficult, try it with your right leg bent a little, and then switch to the left leg.

STEP TWO – Still sitting on the floor, place your legs at a right angle – one facing straight ahead and the other to the side. Stretch forwards to one leg with your back straight and hold for 30 seconds. Do the same to the opposite leg, holding for 30 seconds again. If it starts to hurt then hold the stretch for a smaller amount of time and build yourself up to the 30 seconds.

STEP THREE – Place your legs at a 90 degree position, lean and stretch your body forward between your legs with a straight back. Hold the pose for 30 seconds. If it starts to hurt then hold the stretch for a smaller amount of time and build yourself up to the 30 seconds.

Exercises

Exercises

LUNGES – Lunge forward with your front leg at a right angle and your back knee and foot along the ground, holding for 30-60 seconds (depending on how comfortable you feel doing it). Straighten your front leg and stretch it for 30-60 seconds (again depending on comfort). Return to the first lunge position, this time pull your back leg towards your bottom with your hand, hold for 30-60 seconds. Return to lunge position and flex your front foot for 30-60 seconds. Return to standing position and repeat with the other leg being the front leg.

This next exercise should only be completed if you can do the previous exercise and stretches comfortably. When trying for the first few times, ask someone to supervise you as you’re doing it to ensure you don’t injure yourself.

Wall Split

Wall Split – Lie with your back on the floor. Your bottom should be fairly close to the wall and your legs up and against the wall. Spread your legs slowly to the side until you can feel the stretch – Don’t try and go further than the stretch! Gravity and the weight of your legs will help to push them down. Hold for one minute or until you feel uncomfortable, you can always build up to the full minute.

To finish, jog, dance or do an another exercise for 2 minutes.

CLIC Sargent Fundraising Marathon

CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families. They provide clinical, practical and emotional support to help them cope with cancer and get the most out of life. They offer support from diagnosis onwards and aim to help the whole family deal with the impact of cancer, its treatment, life after treatment and sadly, in some cases, bereavement.

Yorkshire Marathon

The charity has people running in the Yorkshire Marathon, who are raising money for CLIC Sargent services.

And they need you!

CLIC Sargent are looking for volunteers aged 16 and over to go along to the race for a fun day out cheering on the wonderful runners.

It will be held on the 20th October in and around York from 8.30am to 4.30pm (subject to change from the race organisers). There is no experience required except enthusiasm and energy to cheer on the runners, as well as teamwork ability. There will be a full briefing two weeks prior to the event from the organisers and CLIC Sargent and volunteers from the charity will be accompanying the cheer support.

The charity are partners for the event so they need as many people as possible to come out and help support the runners. It is a fantastic cause and will be great experience for our cheer teams.

If you are interested or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Holli Kellett via email: Holli.Kellett@clicsargent.org.uk or telephone: 0113 288 3226.

CLIC Sargent

To show your support, follow @CLIC_Sargent on Twitter and like the
CLIC Sargent Facebook page.

UKCA Northern Ireland at 2013 World Police & Fire Games

UKCA Northern Ireland made a huge impact at the the 2013 World Police & Fire Games hosted by Belfast City this August.

Following the opening ceremony the home nation Facebook page received 1 short of 2000 hits. The participation and end result of a televised showcase by our local cheerleaders topped by officially leading 500 athletes from team Canada out in the opening ceremony was an amazing opportunity to promote our sport of smiles and that it most certainly did.

UKCA NI

Following weeks of preparation and a wash out rehearsal the opening ceremony day dawned with lots of sunshine much to the delight of all our foreign visitors and athletes.

Nerves were very obvious as the cheerleaders entered the huge holding arena where the thousands of athletes were gathered awaiting the official start. All eyes were on the cheerleaders and true to form and led by national coach, Karen Graham, the team started to chant a spirit raiser to all athletes. The stadium was electric and hair raised on arms as every individual rose to the challenge. What an experience is was and we will never forget it.

UKCA NI and Team Canada

The squad led team Canada into the public arena as proud onlookers, parents and coach watched on the huge outdoor screen as the event was televised. The cheerleaders were fantastic. Texts, tweets and other messages of support came flooding through as the images from the stadium were televised around the world.

This set the scene for the showcase that followed and it blew the crowds away. The experience reduced the team and parents to tears of pride and joy.

Many enquiries are now flooding to the home nation representative for new recruits to start in our dynamic sport. The inclusion of mature ladies on the showcase has certainly prompted over 18’s to enquire about classes.

UKCA NI on stage

A big thank you must be said to the 20 cheerleaders who volunteered from six local clubs and were fabulous ambassadors not only for cheerleading but for Northern Ireland.

UKCA Northern Ireland delivered a quality service and cleverly represented a team showing the wide diversity of ages and levels from teenies to master and level 2-4.

We are proud of YOU!

The next BIG event to come to Belfast will be Dance Fusion with international guests…watch this space!

Great Little Britons

Did you catch the Sky 1 show, Great Little Britons? You may have noticed some familiar faces in last Thursday’s show.

Great Little Britons was a series of six one-off documentaries shining a light on some of the nation’s most dedicated perfectionists. Be it profession or hobby, the show examines those who strive for excellence in their chosen pursuit, as they compete to be winners in their field.

Bullettes

Sky auditioned teams from all over the country to find the best cheer team for the show and chose the Bullettes from Panache Cheer school to be the stars of the show. It followed the team through their tough training regime led by Head Coach, Robyn Morrison. The team auditioned for new members into their elite squad and will be entering the UKCA Winter Open Pom Dance Championships in November.

We are thrilled to have one of our teams featured on the television showing the hard work and dedication that all cheerleaders put into their craft. There was even a cameo from our resident compère, DJ Caino!

Congratulations to all the Panache Cheerleaders and staff!

We are proud of you. We say we are proud of you!

If you missed the episode, you can catch up with SkyGo! just click here.

UKCA Northern Ireland at the World Police & Fire Games

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

World Police & Fire Games

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.

UKCA NI Rehearsals

UKCA NI Rehearsals

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.

Kings Hall Belfast

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!”

Kobika Starlites New Home

The Kobika Starlites have a new home for training. The recently opened Redgrave Sports Centre at Great Marlow School has welcomed training sessions for the UKCA team.

Redgrave Sports Centre

The centre, which was officially opened by Matalan Sporting Promise ambassador and Olympic legend, Sir Steve Redgrave, on Thursday 9th May.

The sporting centre named after Britain’s most successful Olympian has a range of facilities including a dance studio, sports hall and fitness centre.

For more information about Kobika Starlites training schedule, visit their website.

Penrith’s Ullswater Community College

We love reading about the UKCA’s team’s successes in the press.

Penrith’s Ullswater Community College, who competed and won trophies in this year’s National School’s Championships, have been featured in the Cumberland News.

The squad boasts 41 members aged 11 to 15 and are now plotting how to go even better next time around.

Cumberland News

Exeter Cheer Festival

Last weekend was the Exeter Cheer Festival held at the Riverside Leisure Centre. The event had cheerleading and pom dance competition and displays. Some of our UKCA judges went along to judge the talent for the competition.

Exeter Cheer Festival

We received this message of thanks from the event coordinator:

Hi UKCA,

A huge thank you to Kim, Hannah and Sharon for judging at Exeter Cheer Festival today , you were Fab!!!!

See you next year,

Beverley Spragg