Cheerleaders look for high-fliers

A WARRINGTON cheerleading group is looking for young high-flyers to join their growing squads as they limber up for a special performance at Disneyland Paris.
Knights American Cheer has four squads that cater for girls and boys from the ages of six to 15, which are run by highly qualified coaches Christy Mitchinson and Jayne Hutchins.
With the prospect of performing at Disneyland Paris in 2009 and the possibility of competing in the USA in 2010, Christy believes the future could not be brighter for the newly formed team.
“Knights teams will participate in national competitions across Great Britain with the possibility of competing abroad – may be even in the US! Currently we are set to perform at Disneyland Paris in 2009 and are looking at the possibility of competing in the US in 2010,” she said.
All four squads have a complete emphasis on all-star cheer with stunt and tumbling, making them a unique outfit for the Warrington area.
Christy said: “In UK competitions, trophies are awarded to all those who participate, regardless of their score. We believe that competing should not be about collecting trophies, but instead should be an opportunity to develop the team’s self-esteem and confidence. We will compete when our teams have had ample time to polish their routines to a point where skills are performed safely and to the best of our athletes’ abilities. That way, we will score well, be proud of our achievements and know we have done our absolute best.”
Because the team is not affiliated to any sports club in the region, membership prices are used to pay for the hiring of a training hall, pieces of equipment and other kit.
Christy added: “You will find that KAC is exceptionally affordable with total out-of-pocket expenses for team members ranging between £216-336 per year including registration and monthly tuition. KAC is able to keep the costs low due to a coaching staff comprised entirely of volunteers. KAC team members participate in numerous fundraising projects throughout the year to pay for their uniforms, travel, and competitions. Even though KAC is so reasonable priced, the KAC staff realizes that some families may still find fees a challenge, especially when there is more than one cheerleader in a family. We believe that all kids who want to cheer should be able to-regardless of their families’ budget restrictions.”
Anyone interested in joining Knights American Cheer, who train at Birchwood High School on Monday and Wednesday night, can contact Christy on 07804 226 025, or log on to their website www.knightsamericancheer.piczo.com