Somerset cheerleading group celebrate nationwide win

A cheerleading group that train in a small village hall say they are proof anyone can win if you work hard enough, after winning a nationwide competition.

The South Coast Waves Cheerleaders, from Washford, in Somerset, beat huge troupes from across the UK while at the British Cheerleading Association (BCA) Winter Weekender in December.

Head coach, Becky Smith, said: "It means so much to the club.

"We were competing against the very best in the country."

Ms Smith said the other groups they were competing against can have hundreds of athletes and professional training centres with sprung floors - whilst they use a community hall and store their crash mats in a shed.

"The other teams have separate squads for competitions - we just have one really enthusiastic squad," she added.

"Our hall is very small and the children are outgrowing the ceiling height - but the club has such a positive attitude and we are so proud of our athletes."

Honey, 15, who is one of the winning athletes, said: "It shows that anyone can win a competition with hard work, even if we are touching the ceiling in this tiny sports hall.

"The young ones have been looking up to us which has been a really nice feeling."

Katie, 15, who was also on the team, added: "We never go to a comp expecting to win. I think we just go to have fun, show people what we can do.

"When we won it just added to the whole thing a lot, and make it something we will never forget."The team is now fundraising for a better shed to store their roll mats in and are preparing for two more competitions.

The club hope the win will help inspire the next generation of Somerset cheerleaders.

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