Sky Athletics' open team will compete at Worlds in April. (Submitted)
A cheerleading team from Quispamsis will have the chance to compete on the world stage.
The open ‘Dream Team’ from the Sky Athletics All-Star Gym will compete at the Worlds Competition in Orlando in April.
The cheer team won a bid to the competition during a qualifying event last weekend.
Gym owner and coach Terra Crossman says it’s a big accomplishment for the team.
“Our team is made up of 30 athletes, and this will be all of their first times attending this event. It was actually almost all of their first times attempting to go for a bid to this event … so it was very exciting,” she said.
“We’ve had teams go to other large events the States and win, so it’s nice that we’re getting a little bit of recognition now.”
Crossman says this is the gym’s first time winning a Worlds bid.
“It was nerve-wracking heading into the event but it was a big relief to get the bid at our first attempt. There are other bid events throughout Nova Scotia, but to be able to do it here in New Brunswick with all of their family watching was an awesome accomplishment,” she said.
Crossman says the open team is diverse, with cheerleaders ranging in age from 13 to 34. They practice twice a week for two hours.
“We sort of have that little sister, big sister, little sister big brother concept because of the age ranges,” she said.
Crossman says cheerleading isn’t just side-show entertainment at sports events; it’s a sport itself. Cheer is a combination of dance, acrobatics, stunting and gymnastics that requires a lot of athleticism.
Crossman says although cheerleading is hard work, anyone can join her gym.
“We don’t just have kids try out and have all of the skills. We have all star gyms, so we actually grow the kids up in our program and train them. We teach them the tumbling, we teach them the dance, we teach them the stunting and the jumping and all of those different skills,” she explained.
“You can start with zero skills and attend an all-star gym and learn everything you need to know, or you can come to the gym with skills and be placed in an appropriate level team.”
Crossman says if people are interested in joining her cheer team, they can get in contact with her online.
She says they accept athletes as young as two years old.
