With the 2021 Cheerleading Worlds in Florida concluding yesterday, a south west London team goals to display the true nature of the game.
London Dynasty Cheer was based in 2020 to permit adults to find or proceed cheerleading, while making pals.
The Stockwell-based team are eager to dispel widespread myths surrounding the game, which is at present awaiting Olympic approval.
“There are undoubtedly no pom poms,” stated Grace Lowe, 25, proprietor and head coach.
“It’s a mixture of gymnastics and dance. The worlds groups simply have probably the most superb routines yearly.”
Unlike sideline cheerleaders, who assist at sports activities matches, aggressive squads carry out routines towards different groups.
These include stunts, gymnastics, and dance and are scored primarily based on efficiency and approach to resolve on a winner.
Far from the stereotypes seen on display, cheerleaders are athletes and the game requires health, power, and suppleness.
The athletes at London Dynasty Cheer additionally emphasised that it was not only for women.
Jeff Evangelista, a squad member, stated: “I feel cheer is for everyone, there are much more guys making an attempt it out.
“I’ve been impressed watching the worlds groups. Of course I’d wish to go sooner or later.”
Lowe, Emma Moore, 24, and Joanna Haeger, 26, based the membership in the course of the 2020 coronavirus lockdown.
They missed the game itself but in addition the social side, which was an integral a part of their time at college.
“It was probably the most superb expertise of our lives and we simply needed to hold that on for individuals,” stated Haeger, who has beforehand competed on the World Championships.
The team prides itself on being like a household and maintained common contact when their coaching was stopped following the November 2020 lockdown.
They hosted Zoom socials, coaching classes, and set weekly challenges starting from burpees to baking.
IT’S CALLED CHEER, NOT SAD: Athletes carry out harmful and bodily demanding routines with a smile. Credit: Adèle Spicer
They have been excited to be reunited in April for outside coaching, holding athletes protected via Covid protocols which embrace common testing and sanitising each quarter-hour.
Both coaching and socialising are higher in particular person, Haeger stated.
She added: “We needed a bit household to cheer with, and to have the ability to go to the pub with too.”
Photos courtesy of Adèle Spicer.
