Award-winning cheerleading teen talks representing South Africa internationally
MALANSHOF – Courtney Cuchet is a cheerleader and member of the first South African team to represent the country at an international competition in Orlando, Florida, earlier this year.
Courtney Cuchet bounces into the room and sits down at her long hair, a mixture of blonde and light brown streaks gently sways to emphasise her movements.
The 14-year-old Seren House Cottage School learner spoke about her journey as a cheerleader, school and what she plans to achieve in the future.
Cuchet was part of the first South African team that went to Orlando, Florida, to compete, and she exclaimed that the team ‘went there to have fun, see what it was like, and it felt good’. The team was a few decimal points from second last and did not have any expectations beyond being a team of trailblazers, as it was the first time a South African team made it to this international stage.
The journey to the competition saw Cuchet earn her Gauteng colours, followed by her South African Majorette and Cheerleading Association colours and finally, her South African colours. Cuchet is passionate about action netball and cheerleading, but cheerleading is her first love since she began practicing five years ago as a Grade 4 learner.
The hopeful future vet elaborated that to be a good cheerleader, one must be passionate, work well in a team and communicate effectively, as opposed to the often stereotyped representation in movies and television. She trains twice a week with the Kings School West Rand, as they are the only school which accepts teammates from other schools. Cuchet beamed that her cheerleading schedule slowed down after the world championship, where the South African team trained twice on both Saturdays and Sundays.
Cuchet attributed the development of her kind and selfless nature to the absence of siblings. As an only child, the Grade 8 learner instinctively puts others before herself. Cuchet’s positive attitude and general enthusiasm as a person undoubtedly contribute to her success as a cheerleader. The teenager would love for more South Africans to celebrate the sport.
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