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Cheerleading: UK team Unity Allstars Black go for third world title in a row | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Unity Allstars Black are based in south London | Unity Allstars Black are based in south London |
Unity Allstars Black have won back-to-back titles at the Cheerleading Worlds, the sport's biggest competition. | Unity Allstars Black have won back-to-back titles at the Cheerleading Worlds, the sport's biggest competition. |
This weekend the south London-based team begin their quest for the "three-peat" at the event in Florida. | This weekend the south London-based team begin their quest for the "three-peat" at the event in Florida. |
For those not in the know, that's cheer-speak for winning three times in a row. | For those not in the know, that's cheer-speak for winning three times in a row. |
While for some the stereotype of cheerleading as halftime entertainment during American sports remains, but it's also a competitive sport in its own right. | While for some the stereotype of cheerleading as halftime entertainment during American sports remains, but it's also a competitive sport in its own right. |
And in the UK it keeps growing. | And in the UK it keeps growing. |
At tournaments teams square off, trying to impress judges with high-intensity routines involving acrobatics, dance and tumbling. | At tournaments teams square off, trying to impress judges with high-intensity routines involving acrobatics, dance and tumbling. |
"My favourite part about cheer is the energy," says Caitlin Pretious, one of the athletes in team Black. | "My favourite part about cheer is the energy," says Caitlin Pretious, one of the athletes in team Black. |
"I'm a very energetic person and finding a sport to channel that is quite tricky. Cheerleading has been a blessing." | "I'm a very energetic person and finding a sport to channel that is quite tricky. Cheerleading has been a blessing." |
Cheerleading is a performance sport - teams wear glittery uniforms and make up, and are scored on showmanship. | Cheerleading is a performance sport - teams wear glittery uniforms and make up, and are scored on showmanship. |
But Caitlin doesn't think that means it deserves any less respect. | But Caitlin doesn't think that means it deserves any less respect. |
"Just because we're wearing lots of makeup and sparkles doesn't make it any less athletic than something like gymnastics or acrobatics. | "Just because we're wearing lots of makeup and sparkles doesn't make it any less athletic than something like gymnastics or acrobatics. |
"People are literally being thrown above your head and you're catching them, it's not easy to do. We just do it very well and make it look easy." | "People are literally being thrown above your head and you're catching them, it's not easy to do. We just do it very well and make it look easy." |
Matthew Delday and Caitlin Pretious are fighting for the "three-peat" | Matthew Delday and Caitlin Pretious are fighting for the "three-peat" |
'A lot of boys like to do cheer' | 'A lot of boys like to do cheer' |
Matthew Delday is also on the team, and has been going to Worlds since 2011. | Matthew Delday is also on the team, and has been going to Worlds since 2011. |
"It takes a lot to be at a high level," he says. | "It takes a lot to be at a high level," he says. |
"It's very, very strenuous cardio, there's lots of muscle work." | "It's very, very strenuous cardio, there's lots of muscle work." |
He says some people think cheer's just for girls, but it actually began in the USA as an all-male activity. | He says some people think cheer's just for girls, but it actually began in the USA as an all-male activity. |
"There are a lot of boys that do cheer… because it's quite an athletic sport," says Matthew. | "There are a lot of boys that do cheer… because it's quite an athletic sport," says Matthew. |
"A lot of boys like to show off. They like to throw people around, they like to lift heavy weights." | "A lot of boys like to show off. They like to throw people around, they like to lift heavy weights." |
A love of cheerleading isn't just shared by Matthew, Caitlin and their team-mates. | A love of cheerleading isn't just shared by Matthew, Caitlin and their team-mates. |
Unity Allstars Black were founded in 2009 | Unity Allstars Black were founded in 2009 |
Joey Gamper Cuthbert, chair of the board at SportCheer England, tells Newsbeat that competitive cheerleading has been growing in the UK for over 30 years. | Joey Gamper Cuthbert, chair of the board at SportCheer England, tells Newsbeat that competitive cheerleading has been growing in the UK for over 30 years. |
"There are now an estimated 89,000 athletes in the UK, with many teams running bespoke gym facilities as full-time businesses and several with internationally award-winning programmes," he added. | "There are now an estimated 89,000 athletes in the UK, with many teams running bespoke gym facilities as full-time businesses and several with internationally award-winning programmes," he added. |
"In July 2021 cheerleading was voted in by the IOC as a full Olympic Member Sport, so I can only see its popularity increasing as we look towards inclusion in the Games." | "In July 2021 cheerleading was voted in by the IOC as a full Olympic Member Sport, so I can only see its popularity increasing as we look towards inclusion in the Games." |
'A little bit Hannah Montana' | 'A little bit Hannah Montana' |
But even at the highest levels, athletes aren't paid professionals - many have day jobs. | But even at the highest levels, athletes aren't paid professionals - many have day jobs. |
Matt describes himself as "a little bit Hannah Montana" - the Disney Channel character with a double-life made famous by Miley Cyrus. | Matt describes himself as "a little bit Hannah Montana" - the Disney Channel character with a double-life made famous by Miley Cyrus. |
"I work in the corporate world," he says. "So I come in a suit and tie and then I get changed. | "I work in the corporate world," he says. "So I come in a suit and tie and then I get changed. |
"This is like a nice little break." | "This is like a nice little break." |
To qualify for a place at Worlds teams must finish in the top three of their country's league. | To qualify for a place at Worlds teams must finish in the top three of their country's league. |
Once they arrive in Florida, athletes compete in semi-finals and finals. | Once they arrive in Florida, athletes compete in semi-finals and finals. |
Teams compete at levels 1-7 and must be level 5 or above at Worlds. The stunts allowed at each level get gradually more advanced. | Teams compete at levels 1-7 and must be level 5 or above at Worlds. The stunts allowed at each level get gradually more advanced. |
Matthew says his most difficult stunt is "a round-off rewind, which is where the girl tumbles towards you". | Matthew says his most difficult stunt is "a round-off rewind, which is where the girl tumbles towards you". |
"You then grab them and flip them upside down and catch them above your head." | "You then grab them and flip them upside down and catch them above your head." |
And for Caitlin? | And for Caitlin? |
"A kick triple. You are thrown in the air, and you kick with your right leg, and then you do three spins." | "A kick triple. You are thrown in the air, and you kick with your right leg, and then you do three spins." |
"The idea of it, yeah, it's absolutely terrifying. But when you're actually in there, it's not as terrifying as it seems. | "The idea of it, yeah, it's absolutely terrifying. But when you're actually in there, it's not as terrifying as it seems. |
"Everything you do, you don't do without technique behind you. | "Everything you do, you don't do without technique behind you. |
"It's a sport, you work your way up." | "It's a sport, you work your way up." |
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Cheerleading | Cheerleading |
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