A dynamic take on cheerleading
This year marks the Dynamic All Stars’s fifth year of existence.
The Dynamic All Stars, formed in April 2012, is an independent high school cheerleading team comprised of boys and girls, aged 13 to 18.
They are mainly from Boksburg High School, although some members are from other schools.
Anyone who is registered in a high school, from Grade Eight to 12, can join the Dynamic All Stars.
The coaches, Darryn Cloete, Louise Schoeman and Heather Williams, are highly qualified.
Schoeman has been awarded SAMCA (South African Majorette Cheerleading Association) colours and Cloete has Protea colours, so the team is in good hands.
The Dynamic All Stars fall under the GMCA (Gauteng Majorette Cheerleading Association) and SAMCA.
“When Louise and I took over Sunward Park Cheerleaders in 2012, we decided to change the name and make it an independent high school club team,” said Cloete.
“We thought long and hard and because of the changes that happened, the team always stuck together, they always had positive attitudes and were full of energy – making them very dynamic to change.
“The ‘All Stars’ part came from how hard they trained and wanted to persevere, no matter what was thrown at them; Dynamic All Stars was the perfect name.”
The team and coaches are working hard to be ready for their first 2017 league competition at Dowerglen High School, in Edenvale, on March 11.
“There is always pressure at the beginning of the year, because the team must adapt to the loss of matric pupils from the previous year,” said Cloete.
The team has league competitions all the way up to May.
Provincials will be held at St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls, on June 3. They then move on to nationals, which will be held in Durban from July 7 to 9.
The coaches say that cheerleading is a demanding sport, requiring high levels of team work, concentration, discipline, fitness, co-ordination and self-belief.
Those who are thrown high into the air must trust absolutely those who are tasked to catch them. This trust develops a strong team spirit.
Unfortunately, not all schools either recognise the sport or have teachers willing to be in charge.
Most teams are also largely on their own in terms of both training and covering the costs of clothing and travel to competition venues.Dynamic All Stars practice from 7pm to 9pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, at the Baptist church hall, in Market Street, Boksburg.
Those who wish to join the team or provide financial support should contact Cloete on 074 912 1239 or dcloete@sew.co.za.
