Newham cheer squad wow disney judges

By John Hill on May 15, 2008 9:00 AM |

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NEWHAM’S top cheer squad is now the best co-ed side outside North America.

Custom House-based performers Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders (AEC) soared to sixth place in the 2008 Cheerleading World Championships last month. The UK representatives wowed crowds at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and returned to East London with two trophies marking their place in the standings.

US teams scooped the top three places at the annual event, which features 9,000 cheerleaders from locations such as Europe, China and Jamaica. Canadian teams were fourth and fifth.

Ascension Eagles team member Sammie Bromley, 17, said: “It wasn’t just about impressing the judges and earning the score on the day.
“It is about representing the UK’s 15,000 cheerleaders with excellence, and making all our supporters proud, while raising the standard.
“I am proud of our performance. We have represented Newham and Britain well.”

A total of 24 of the squad’s 100 cheerleaders made the trip after funding was secured from a private foundation, Development Services and the Jack Petchey Foundation.

The two-week tour included training sessions with the world champion Top Gun Large Senior Co-ed team. Top Gun head coach Victor Rosario praised the team’s “eagerness to learn”.

Jim Chadwick, founder and president of the IASF Cheerleading Worlds, claimed he had “tears in his eyes” when he watched the performance.

He said: “The Ascension Eagles’ routine at this Worlds was the best I have ever seen from a team outside of North America.”

AEC director Shara Brice said: “Even more importantly than our international ranking, AEC earned the respect of all those they met. I am exceedingly proud of this exceptional group of young people.”