Wolverhampton cheerleaders set to represent England at world contest
Wolverhampton cheerleaders are spinning in the air in celebration after sliding into sought after spots on the England squad.
A five-strong team of athletes from the Sharon Ann Academy of Cheer and Dance won places on the national team after competing against at least 100 others.
The youngsters, aged between 11 and 16, will now train with some of the top talent in the country before heading across the pond to make England proud.
Director of the Wolverhampton-based academy, Sharon Ann Gray, said: “They have worked had for this success. They never give up. We are all immensely proud of the girls.
“To represent your country and to be selected as the best in the industry, to be part of that team, is such an honour. We are delighted the girls have this amazing opportunity.”
The cheerleaders decided to put their skills to the test and travelled to London for a spot on Team England Cheer’s Junior Advanced team.
“When they found they got on the team, we should have perhaps heard the screams here in Wolverhampton because they were so excited,” Miss Gray added. “It’s such a massive achievement.”
The cheerleaders decided to put their skills to the test and travelled to London for a spot on Team England Cheer’s Junior Advanced team.
It came after her Miss Gray’s 25-year-old daughter Lauren, who is the academy’s cheerleading director, was head-hunted and picked as one of three coaches for the team earlier this year. The youngsters from the Ettingshall Road academy will now train each month with 21 teammates before flying to Florida to compete in the world championships next April.
Miss Gray, who founded the academy 20 years ago and also works alongside daughter and dance director Rebecca, said the news comes off the back of a 20-trophy win at July’s UK national championships in Bournemouth. The 54-year-old added: “I’m incredibly proud of everyone, including my two girls who have worked together to bring the academy to a new level.
“We are now high in the ranking’s for dance and cheer – there are very few programmes in this industry that are good at both. The success of the school speaks for itself.”
The academy is now preparing for upcoming contests, as well as a trip to Texas for the NCA Nationals in February.
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