Sixth in world beyond expectations, say cheerleaders

A cheerleading team from Wolverhampton has managed to come sixth at the Cheerleading Worlds, despite "rebuilding the team from scratch".

SA Academy Neon, made up of 16 girls, competed in the Under 18 Level 5 category – one of the higher levels of difficulty in the sport.

The Cheerleading Worlds brings together more than 10,500 athletes from 25 nations, at the Walt Disney World Resort, Florida.

Coaches said it was quite the journey to get to the famous blue mat, after most of the previous athletes had retired.

"Starting the team from scratch in September, we had to build the team from basics", says SA Academy's cheer director, Lauren Gray.

There were only three athletes whohad been to the competition before.

"Worlds is the pinnacle of the sport, until cheerleading goes to the Olympics," Ms Gray told the BBC.

"I think this is the biggest event that there will be in cheerleading. Every athlete’s dream is to make the Worlds floor."

Coming in sixth in the final was "beyond expectations", she said, since the team had been proud enough just to get to day two - the finals.

The athletes had changed their routine on one of the resort's football fields the night before the semi-finals, in a bid to make sure they made it through.

"I'd got all the team gathered in the villa where we were staying to let them know," continued Ms Gray, "They literally were screaming and collapsed on the floor.

“One of our athletes said it was the best thing she’d ever done. She was actually planning to go to university next year and now she’s not sure whether she’s taking a gap year so she can do it again."

The team has a competition at the end of June, which will give them the opportunity to secure a place at the Worlds 2025.

"I think we will keep seeing growth from the team, and hopefully secure a bid to go again next year and continue the legacy," Ms Gray added.

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