By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 11:44, Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Carlisle will host its first ever cheerleading championship later this year when the ScotCheer regional roadtrip comes to the city.

Shirel Crossley

The Crossley family, who run Heroes Cheerleaders, have been asking ScotCheer to come to the city for the last couple of years.

Coach Sean Crossley said: “This will be happening on Sunday, September 23 at The Sands Centre and it will be fantastic to have the competition on our doorstep. It will be the first competition in Cumbria.”

Competing in competitions means long hours on the road for the Heroes troupe.

They competed in the British Cheerleading Associations (BCA) International Championships in Telford at the weekend.

Mr Crossley said: “It was the biggest event to date with over 1,700 competitors from 53 clubs and the competition was of the highest level, all clubs have been working very hard to achieve such high standards.

“Heroes took our Allstar squad to Telford and entered into six categories – it was amazing we were placed in every one.

“We came away with one first place, four second places and one fourth place.

It was well worth the 3am start and we didn’t get back until 1am on Sunday.

Sean’s daughter Shirel, who is a member of the AV Lightning All Girl squad – based in Leeds – was also competing.

Mr Crossley said: “They compete at level six which is the highest level in cheerleading.

“They had to perform twice and after two amazing routines they won and they also received a bid to represent the UK and compete at the World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida, next year.

“You are not able to just compete in the Worlds, you must win your place at a qualifying event.

“This means – that for the first time in 30 years that cheerleading has been a sport in England – we will have someone representing Carlisle which is just awesome.

“This has always been a dream of Shirel’s and she is over the moon her motto ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve’ is one we all use and just shows with hard work, dedication and commitment Heroes can make dreams come true.”

First published at 11:31, Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk