Win a USA trip

Last updated 16:40, Friday, 26 September 2008

AMERICAN-style cheerleading will be all the rage in Barrow soon.
Evening Mail reporter JO DAVIES investigates

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Raiderette Mikja Cassells brings a touch of glamour during a lull in the action from the Barrow Raiders v Batley game at Craven park. MILTON HAWORTH REF; 0424460

A VISION to get Barrow cheering will bring an all-American sport high-kicking to the town.
And there are some serious incentives to get people reaching for the sky.
Fresh from the success of launching Barrow Raiderettes, who made their match debut at Barrow Rugby’s Craven Park in March, two business partners are looking for the next big thing.
A two-month contest should attract the best potential cheerleaders with a bumper prize.
The winner will be whisked off to the home of cheerleading for an all-expenses paid trip to watch professional American cheerleaders in action.
Nineteen runners up will be invited to watch the British Cheerleading Association Northern Classic 2008 in Blackpool to check out the competition.
Next July the group of locals will be coached to compete in the 2009 British Cheerleading Championships.
The decision to tap into local talent is a move to catapult Barrow onto a national stage.
Andrew Rae, who has formed the Community Interest Company Cheers 4 All with Mark Burrows, explained: “We want to find a representative of Barrow.
“We're going to keep the image of Barrow very proud.
“We want as many people in the local area knowing what’s happening and having the opportunity to apply.”
Candidates will be picked through a series of closed auditions before facing the public vote.
Over 14s interested in applying will be required to perform their own routine, which could be anything from traditional cheerleading moves to street, hip-hop or a fusion of different dance backgrounds.
“We'll be looking at a 20-strong squad of girls and boys aged from 14 up,” explained Mr Rae.
“The search is going to begin at the end of September, beginning of October.
“Those selected from the closed rounds will be given a choreographed routine to practise so they get to perform individually and as a group.
“The grand final will be held at The Nines, in Dalkeith Street, Barrow, on November 28, at 7.30pm.”
Cheers 4 All is about more than bringing a bit of razzmatazz to the local sporting scene.
The founders have cutting edge ideas about finding the role models of tomorrow.
In America cheerleaders are respected and recognised as the athletes they are.
Coaching a team to competition standard will earn Cheers 4 All even more kudos.
“Cheers 4 All will be an all-embracing dance company, not just cheerleading,” said Mr Rae.
“It’s all about role models at the end of the day and building up a talented level of girls and boys and putting them on an international stage.
“There’s a lot of competition in dance and we need to bring back a bit of fun.”
Not only will prospective athletes be taught cheerleading, they'll also become ambassadors for the town.
The team will help them improve their physical activity, self-esteem and confidence and there are plans to visit schools introducing youngsters to cheerleading and healthy eating through the “5ive and 5ive” programme.
They will also have six months to rehearse a routine for the British Cheerleading Championships in Telford - Europe’s largest cheer event.
“It’s a tight deadline - we've got six months to get them up to standard.
“But we'll have mini competitions to expose them to competing,” added Mr Rae.
“Barrow Raiderettes will perform at each home game to test out the routines on the local crowd.
“With Barrow Raiders going to National League One we'll be working very closely with the rugby to encourage more people to come and watch.
“We're getting Barrow cheering.”
And the fantastic prize is certainly something to shout about.
Mr Rae explained: “The first prize winner will be flown out to the States to watch an American football game.
“We'll take Barrow to the home of cheerleading so they can meet with professional cheerleaders to see how they perform.
“We'll do a video and photoshoot with professional cheerleaders and perform with them.
“We'll also go and see some local schools over there who have big cheerleading leagues.
“The trip will run over four days and will take in either Los Angeles or Florida.
“Longer term we're looking to build a relationship with the States to establish an exchange programme.
“In turn we'll have some top American people coming to Barrow from Florida and LA.
“This will put Barrow on the map.
“We're going to become a hub for attracting people into cheerleading.
“We'll be delivering sessions to schools because we want to give people another avenue.
“Then the 19 runners up will go to the British Cheerleading Association Northern Classic 2008 in Blackpool on December 6 and 7.”