Cheerleading stars jump to national success

The five-piece from Infinity Cheer, part of a Youth Level 2 stunt group, scooped first place in the Future Cheers’ Heart of England National competition at the LG Arena (NEC) in Birmingham.

It is a massive achievement for the Whittle-Le-Woods based team, Sophie Gardner aged 10, Keira Benneworth ,10, Poppy McGovern ,10, nine-year-old Anya McLoughlin and Lois Barrow, seven. The girls have only began training together last July.

Coach Sian Lucas, who trains the girls at Kem Mill Lane, also led the girls to first place in the Jungle Fever competition held in Bolton last November.

Anya’s mum Naomi said: “Sian works so incredibly hard with each and every cheerleader at Infinity Cheer and dedicates seven days a week to perfecting routines: stunt groups, cheer squads and pom and hip hop routines.

“An average competition will see us taking 38 routines to perform in one weekend.

“Sian’s achievements are amazing, she is a dedicated and hard working coach who does her best to push each and every cheerleader to achieve their potential.

“She gives Infinity Cheer a real family feel and all the children enjoy every minute they spend there and want to spend as much time at the cheer house as they possibly can.”

The girls, who ranked number one with a high score of 74.5% in the national competition are now stepping up their practice ready for their first international competition Future Cheer, which will take place in Bournemouth on July 9.

Sian started up Infinity Cheer three and a half years ago. The group, which started with just 12 cheerleaders was initially based in a school annexe at Manor Road Primary School.

The squad, which now consists of 150 cheerleaders moved to their current base a year and a half ago.

The girls will next compete this weekend, Saturday 9 and Sunday April 10 at the Adventure in Atlantis with Future Cheer in Loughborough at Loughborough University.