Cheerleading

Cheerleading is a sport that uses organized routines made from elements of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, chants, formations and stunting. Cheerleaders are most popular for supporting sports teams at games and matches and/or competing at cheerleading competitions.

Cheer leading originated at the University of Minnesota, USA around 1898 when a student, Johnny Campbell, directed a crowd to chant and cheer. This developed into a ‘yell leader squad’ of 6 male students.

By 1923 women began to get involved too, partly due to the relative lack of college sports for girls. Megaphones and gymnastics were added around this time and today around 97% of cheerleaders are female although there is a much high proportion of men involved at college level.

Cheerleading in the UK has grown a considerable amount with many competitions being held all year round, Dance 8 currently teach classes in Wantage, Abingdon & Faringdon.

Next year there will be tryouts for the 'Dance 8 Divas' All star competition squad, who will be travelling all round the country taking part in various events and competitions.