Cheerleaders on dream trip to Balkans

ATHLETIC youngsters were put in good cheer ahead of their dream trip to the Balkans this weekend by a bumper cash donation which will pay their way to the airport and back.

Wickersley-based Trailblazer Allstars Cheerleading Academy will represent the UK tomorrow and Sunday at the European Cheerleading Championships in Zadar, Croatia over the coming weekend after becoming National Champions at a recent competition in Manchester.

And an £860 contribution from the Bramley and Wickersley Lions was a load off the mind of head coach Gina Williams as it will fund the coach hire for their journey to and from Stansted Airport.

The 19 local cheerleaders — who flew out on Tuesday — and their families have been carrying out bake sales and multiple bag packs to help pay for the trip.

Now they are turning their attentions to the three routines in cheerleading and group stunt performance which they hope will wow the judges, including high flying stunts, pyramids, jumps and tumbles.

Gina said: “The team has worked so hard on the run up to ECC — they have a great work ethic and want to represent their country as best as they possibly can.

“It has been a challenge putting our routines together in time and learning the high level skills needed for the routine.

“More than anything, everyone at Trailblazers wants the best for each other and we are one big family which definitely shines through at training and competition.

“All of the Trailblazers are my proudest achievement and I believe our younger teams will one day be competing at the European Championships, too.

“We are honoured to represent our country.”

Bramley and Wickersley Lions treasurer Sue Drayson, past-president Peter Cooper and fellow Lions member Hazel Cooper attended a recent training session to present the Trailblazer Allstars with the cheque for their donation.

Gina said she also wanted to thank training kit sponsors Craig And Caroline Smith from The Insight Partnership, bag pack organiser Christine Ashton and trip organisers Pauline Williams and Janet Cartlidge, adding: “They are are the glue that holds us all together.”

Trailblazer Allstars have cheerleading teams for all ages from five and up and run tumble/gymnastics classes for ages ten and over.

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