Local resident, Shani Conrad, looks forward to travelling with the first South African all-women team to participate in the World Cheerleading Championships.
A group of 21 women and men and a women’s group of 20 individuals from South Africa have qualified to represent the country at the championships in Orlando, Florida from 24 to 28 April.
After competing in the world championships, the teams will stay on to compete against American cheerleading clubs.
However, their main focus will be the world championships.
Conrad, who is part of the women’s group, explained that their routine is three minutes long and has to include stunts, jumps and cheering, which entails pom-poms and boards.
The teams have been practising every weekend since January and are raring to take on the rest of the world.
They also have to pay their own way to participate in these competitions.
Any sponsors can get in touch with Candia Lonsdale of the Gauteng Majorette and Cheerleading Association (GMCA) on gpma@mweb.co.za or 061 809 5220.
Those parties interested in donning their own set of pom-poms are welcome to join skills days, which teach different manoeuvres and skills in cheerleading. Dates and times can be found on the GMCA Facebook page.
Find out more about Shani Conrad and cheerleading as a sport in South Africa in the Roodepoort Northsider newspaper.
