A CARLISLE-BASED cheerleading academy that competes on the world stage is setting its sights on even greater success, after getting the go-ahead to move to brand new premises.

The Cheer Force Knights Academy, which since launching less than eight years ago has secured multiple national cheerleading titles and competes in the sport’s world championships in Florida, is now set for a move to new specialised premises at Kingmoor Park, after planning permission to convert the site was granted last week by Carlisle City Council.

The spectacular growth of the cheerleading and gymnastics academy has been a runaway success story for owner Jonny Kirby, who described the imminent move as essential for taking the academy to the next level.

The new gym will feature an 11-panel custom-sprung floor, a trampoline track with landing mats, an air track and a host of new training equipment to better support the academy’s athletes in their cheerleading, gymnastics, dance or free running training.

Mr Kirby said that “the new gym will be fully equipped to give our athletes the very best experience in Cumbria,” offering “more opportunity and a higher standard of service to our amazing athletes and families who constantly support us, while allowing us to welcome new athletes and families to the programme.

“Our business has grown from a single space in a school cafeteria, to a church hall with pillars obstructing the middle of the floor, to this new grand industrial unit with almost double the space of uninterrupted competition style floor within Kingmoor Park North.”

The new space will also benefit parents of young people enrolled in the academy, with a dedicated mezzanine viewing area and large flat screen viewing monitors.

Mr Kirby said the academy will be welcoming back both returning athletes and new members at the beginning of next month, before launching a new class timetable on September 28, with almost double the amount of classes given the expanded space available, “giving even more opportunity to the families of Carlisle and surrounding areas”.

He added that the academy hopes to build on the “elite level of accomplishments” it has already achieved, as it moves into its eighth year of operations.

“Our hope for the future of the academy is bright, especially after the unforeseen events brought on by Covid-19.

“The new facilities will give our most experienced athletes exactly what they need to become the best teams in the country, and our new athletes an amazing opportunity to grow and fall in love with a new sport,” Mr Kirby said.

“We want to use our platform and the support we receive to make our Carlisle-based academy the largest hub in the north of the UK for all cheerleading, gymnastics and all our disciplines, and to create an environment open to all so that everyone has the opportunity to push their limits and achieve something truly special through sport.”

Mr Kirby added that he also hoped to continue raising the public profile of the sports that the academy offers, “predominantly focused around cheerleading as the status will soon be passed that cheerleading will be accredited as an Olympic sport.”