We enjoyed another thrilling and high energy competition last weekend at the UKCA Spring National Championship. There were many different levels of Cheerleaders competing throughout the weekend, such as those skilled in Group Stunt, Pom Dance and Street Cheer. The outstanding performances from all our members was extraordinary – we are proud of you! Thank you to everyone who came along and joined the, ‘Sport of Smiles’. The interaction we received across social media was phenomenal, thank you to everyone who shared and tweeted us, we are still seeing truly spectacular fan photos coming in!

There were also many squads who enjoyed their first competition at the weekend, one of which being the University of Manchester Cheerleaders who went home with a 2nd place award in the Level 1 Stunt category. It’s incredible to see teams such as the University of Manchester Cheerleaders win such high level awards, when they only began Cheerleading last semester. As they shared across social media it’s, “Proof hard work pays off and its never too late to try something new! #thisgirlcan” We agree! You can find our more about the University of Manchester Cheerleaders here.

We would like to give a special thank you to all of our volunteers who worked across the weekend with us, ensuring the Spring Competition flowed smoothly. Whether you worked across the event, at the uniform check station or back stage at the warm up area, you all contributed to a successful UKCA Competition so thank you! It’s also important to acknowledge the volunteers from Breakthrough UK who were remarkable across the weekend. We are proud of you, say we are proud of you! Good job!

Here is a peak at the fun we shared across Twitter using the hashtags #UKCA and #ThisGirlCan from Cheerleaders, spectators, our very own UKCA Ambassador Lauren Quigley and even the comperes!

Rayz All-Stars: @RayzAllStars – “@ali_MCA_mascot and Spirit at the @UKCheerleading Spring Nationals this weekend”

Simon Wood: @k17box – “First competition, great dancers, great atmosphere @DAZL_Leeds @UKCheerleading”

Leeds Dynamite: @DYNAMITELEEDS – “Well done to Lauren & dancers Leah & Bobbijo this weekend. Very proud of u! & Thank u to @UKCheerleading for having us”

Another big UKCA congratulations goes out to the winners of the Spirit Awards over the weekend, these were Rayz Allstars who took home the Milano Spirit Award on Saturday 16th May, and there was a joint award for Hearts and BCC on Sunday 17th May who won the Insure4Sport Spirit Award. Great job guys!

Even our UKCA Ambassador Lauren Quigley joined us at the competition to Cheer everyone on! We shared images of her at the competition throughout the weekend on Twitter, @UKCheerleading “Our Ambassador is here today! Give it up for @LaurenAQuigley! #ThisGirlCan #UKCA #sportingpromise #youthsporttrust”

For images & videos from the event be sure to head over to Take That Photo for all the photographs and DVDs from the weekend, or you can contact them on info@takethatphoto.co.uk.

If you are interested in taking part in any training courses & workshops you can contact our Coach Education and Training Co-ordinator Alison Hunt on training@ukca.org.uk or via telephone 07471218855.

We can’t wait to see you all again soon at the UKCA School’s Competition in June, at the Manchester Velodrome, click here to purchase your spectator tickets.

Be sure to Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter & Instagram.

We are proud of you!

Team UKCA.