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ASCENSION EAGLES END 10TH SEASON WITH A BANGAscension Eagles Cheerleaders (AEC) traveled to Nottingham Arena to compete at the 17th annual British Cheerleading Association (BCA) Championships, July 28th-30th, 2006.

Three thousand cheerleaders from across the UK competed on 234 teams in 32 different divisions.  The international panel of judges scored 382 routines, with pre-lims on Saturday, and finals on Sunday.

Ascension Eagles entered four teams: AEC Cheer Extreme (Pee Wee Advanced Division, under 13’s), AEC Junior Coed (Junior Advanced Division, under 16’s), AEC Senior All-Girl and AEC Senior Coed (both Senior Advanced, aged 16+). All four of the AEC teams did incredibly well in the pre-lims and were ranked top in all their divisions by an unprecedented 20-40 points ahead of the competition.

Head coach and choreographer Angela Brown, Custom House, said, “We’ve been focusing on CONSISTENCY over the past few weeks.  When we train, we want to hit all our stunts, jumps, dances, motions and tumbles with perfection, time after time.  At competition every team has only two and half minutes to prove to the judges that we have mastered all the elements.  We strive to showcase our outstanding skills in routines that have cutting-edge creativity; we have to take everything we’ve worked to achieve all year long and prove we deserve to be named Champions at the end of it all.  After BCA pre-lims, we were ecstatic that all our teams hit near-perfect routines and made it look effortless.  The focus on consistency really paid off.”

For the past few months, the Ascension Eagles have been involved in filming a documentary for BBC that will air in the autumn.  The final day of filming was scheduled for Finals day at BCA; this put extra pressure on AEC to achieve not only for themselves, but also for the cameras and film crew.

AEC Coach Rob Horton, 20, East Ham said, “The second day of competition is always harder because everyone starts to feel the strain, getting tired, especially in this heat.  We had a comfortable lead, but we know that mistakes can be costly.  It was such a relief to see each AEC team go through Finals, hitting perfect routines again, one after another.  We are one big family, and when us older ones saw our little guys go out there and perform like true professionals, followed by our juniors knocking the socks off everyone, followed by our Senior girls blazing the floor, we knew our Coed team had to keep the standard high.”

The Eagles fans were not disappointed.  Not only did each AEC team win top in their advanced divisions, but they were also ranked top overall, winning three Grand Champions trophies.  AEC’s Senior Coed team had the highest score of any competing team over the entire weekend.

Coed member Steven Brown, 20, Custom House said, “We’ve been British Coed Champions since 1998, so we had a lot of pride riding on this title.  It was great to win it again, and not only that, but to win top overall score of the whole championships.  Our Senior Coed team was proud to be the first team to represent England at the Cheerleading World Championships this year.  Although we’ve been given a bid to represent England again in 2007, we just can’t afford it right now.  Regardless of that, it feels good to prove we’re Britain’s best and to win the respect of teams across the country.”

Cheerleading is an international competitive athletic discipline across 43 nations, involving cheers, tumbling, jumps, partner stunts and pyramid building. The sport is growing fast in Britain where nearly 11,000 cheerleaders are involved across the UK.

Last summer at the 2005 British Championships, Ascension Eagles won their 100th first place trophy.  At the close of this successful weekend, Ascension’s trophy count has risen to 126 first place National and International titles won over the past decade.

WHAT THE ASCENSION EAGLES SAID ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES AT THE 2006 BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Crichelle Brice, 11, Custom House, said, “When you walk on that competition floor, you aren’t an ordinary person anymore; you become warriors of what you believe in, an army of friends showing what you can be; CHAMPIONS forever.  Cheerleading is my favorite sport, and the Ascension Eagles are like a family.  As I look back, I can see that cheerleading has helped make me what I am today.  For all that I have learned, and for all who have helped me along the way, I am very grateful.”

Jenna Dawson, 22, Stratford, “We’ve had such a successful weekend in winning all of the advanced divisions, whilst also gaining respect from the other teams through great sportsmanship.”

Christina Sinclair, 10, Stratford, said, “It was the first time I have been away for the weekend.  It was great because we got to see our friends every day and have brilliant lots of fun with them.  I loved the competition and it was the first time I have been to Nottingham.  It was good and I enjoyed it.  On top of all that, we WON top in everything we entered!”

Chloe Bromley, 12, Custom House, said, “In all my 8 years of cheerleading, this was one of the best BCA ever.  We did what we went out there to do and it worked in our favour.  All the hard work and effort paid off and we brought home seven 1st place trophies all together.  That makes me proud to be an eagle and proud to be in a team that has so much energy and excitement and opportunities.”

Kimberley Churchman, 9, Custom House said, “The best thing that happened to me this weekend was that we came first place and I made friends with cheerleaders from squads across England, Scotland and Wales.  I also got to stay at a hotel and compete in a massive arena where pop stars perform!”

Sharice Sammy-Peters, 12, Beckton, said, “The best part of competing is when you first step on the floor.  You feel very nervous, with thousands of people watching and waiting to see what you can do.  Then the music comes on and you get into it and all the practice pays off and it’s so much fun!”

Mollie Small, 10, Custom House, said, “Competing on the BCA floor is really amazing.  Fans are cheering you on while you do your routine.  It’s so exciting and you get really nervous, but the butterflies inside you help you jump higher and perform even better.”

Karis Daniel, 8, East Ham said, “I enjoyed spending quality time with my mum and sister, Jai.  Being with the rest of the AEC family was really great and after two days of competing, then winning and becoming Grand Champions was wonderful.”

Nyree Hylton, 13, said, “2006 BCA was a fantastic, once in a lifetime experience and I’m so glad I was there.  When our other AEC teams were on I heard people say ‘Wow!  They are brilliant!’ and it makes me feel proud to be AEC – especially when AEC teams were placed first every time!  I love doing cheerleading.  I love going on the floor and performing and then when it’s over I wanna go back and do it all over again!  I love to entertain and that’s definitely what AEC do.”

Jai Daniel, 10, East Ham, said “I had a great time winning and I look forward to winning more next year.  We got to spend more quality time with friends from cheerleading.”

Alice Churchman, 11, Custom House said, “The best thing about the weekend is making new friends from different teams.”

Charlie McGuinness, 9, West Ham, “We all done our best and all AEC came first.  I really enjoyed it.  I love cheerleading.  My coaches taught us to be the best.  I think my coaches Rob and Mel are the best.”

Tilly Davis, 10, Beckton, “I love cheerleading for Ascension Eagles.  Not just for competitions, but for fun.  I have been cheerleading for seven and a half years now.  My best friend is Crichelle and we met through cheerleading when we were only little.  BCA is a good place to show your skills and reveal what we have been doing for the last six weeks.  When you walk on to the floor it is like you are in a different world because everybody is pulling faces for the judges and performing their hearts out.  It’s a chance to really express yourself and have fun.”

Bobbie Kersey, 14, Britannia Village said, “We did it!  It was our best BCA competition in ten years.  It was amazing and great to see what the other teams came up with.  I think it was great way to end the tenth year anniversary of the Ascension Eagles.”

WHAT AEC PARENTS SAID ABOUT THE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Parent Debbie Bromley, Custom House said, “What a wonderful end to our tenth season and our last competition of the season.  We had outstanding performances and unbelievable sportsmanship.  We are proud to have our children part of AEC.” 

Parent Karline Daniels, East Ham, said, “This weekend was awesome!  Being with the rest of the mothers and dads and cheering our kids to victory was wonderful.  Watching their faces as they announced them winners was fantastic.  I am so proud of my girls Jai and Karis and of the rest of the AEC family.  All the hard work they put in was worth it.”

Parent Suzanne Boswell, Canning Town, said, “The performance AEC put on was outstanding and beyond belief.  What a wonderful way to end our tenth year!  The Eagles just keep flying higher and higher.  Well done to them all and special thanks to our coaches and AEC Leadership.”

Parent Sharon Small, Custom House, said, “Today I could see in on all their faces that these kids will be giving out so much more in the near future.  They have so much to give to those who have not.  For our kids with AEC, the best is certainly yet to come!”

Parent Janet Jay said, “I am so proud to be an AEC parent.  Watching our children perform as one family is so special.”

Parent Teresa McAvoy, Stratford, said, “Going away with AEC was an interesting experience.  I was amazed that everybody got on so well together.  This was the first time my daughter and I have been away for the weekend with the Eagles and it was a wonderful experience.  The teams all have so much spirit, love and care for one another.  It was a great pleasure to be part of it and really get involved.  The atmosphere was out of this world.  Well done to everybody!”

Parent Kathy Cavill, Custom House, said, “Well done to all the eagles.  They did a great job and they should be proud of themselves.  I know I am proud of them.  I am so glad our family is part of this program.”

Parent Karen Nunnes, Custom House, said, “The weekend was great in that the girls worked together and gave it their all.  This was just on Saturday.  I admired the way they cheered on the other teams.  They did not show off or act like they were better even though all their routines were ranked at least 20-40 points ahead of the other teams; they were quietly confident and proud.  Then Saturday night they watched ‘Bring it on” and I knew that the AEC’s performance was going to be out of this world for Finals and it was.  The girls did not just do their routine, they performed and enjoyed what they were doing.  Everyone could see this.  I am extremely proud of them, and glad that I was there to cheer them on.”

After giving a preview performance at London City Airport’s Funday Day, Newham’s Ascension Eagles travelled to the Future Cheer National Championships in Brighton this weekend.  Ninety-four local young people entered 11 competition routines.  Hundreds of Ascension fans accompanied them on the journey, and were delighted with the results.

Ascension Eagles won six first place trophies, three second place trophies, one third place and a fourth place in the mascot division.
First place honours went to AEC Prep Stunt Team, AEC Extreme Stunt Team, AEC Senior Coed Stunt Team, AEC Senior Open Elite Stunt Team, AEC Prep Coed Cheer and AEC Senior Coed Cheer.  
Finishing a very close second in their tight divisions were AEC Cheer Extreme, AEC Junior Coed and AEC Junior Stunt Team.  AEC Senior All Girl finished third in a division that was won by Team USA, with Scotland’s Goldstar finishing second. 

Parent Sharon Small, life-long resident of Custom House said, “My girls have grown up with AEC, and we are celebrating our 10th season this year. I’ve watched the teams get better and better over the years.  It’s always a bit nerve-racking going to competition, but somehow our kids always pull it off.  Our routines were fantastic to watch; they showcased the best of our talent.  Ascension Eagles are one of the greatest things to ever come out of Newham, and with AEC, you know the best is always yet to come.”
Last year at FutureCheer Nationals, Ascension Eagles Senior Coed won a bid to represent England in the 2006 USASF Cheerleading World Championships.  Despite unfortunate injuries, AEC Senior Coed finished 12th place in the 2006 World rankings – a commendable result for their first attempt competing on this elite international level. 

This year, topping last year’s result, both AEC Senior Coed and AEC Senior All-Girl received bids for the 2007 Cheerleading Worlds.  It was a tremendous result for the hard-working Senior AEC members.   This year, for the first time, Future Cheer Nationals also issued endorsed World bids to Gold Star Cheerleaders (Scotland) in cheer and dance, and an at-large bid to Angels Dance Academy (Bristol).

Director Shara Brice MBE said, “Our members – particularly our Seniors who’ve trained for Worlds – have given so much to be able to compete at this level.  It is a tremendous honour to receive not one, but two bids to compete at 2007 Worlds.  While we would all love to go, we must carefully count the cost before we make our decision.  Our families have sacrificed so much to enable their children to come this far, I don’t know how much more we can ask of them.”

Shara said she will be talking with the eligible members and their families to determine whether or not they can accept the bid.  “We need to take into account each person’s academic schedules, family commitments and financial situations.  When so much of a family’s resources are being poured into a cheerleader to enable him or her to compete at this level, it can be draining on the rest of the family.  Ascension Eagles aim to make a transformational change in the lives of our young people so they can make a difference in their communities and in the world.  We don’t want to burn people out, we want to build them up.  We are going to need some serious and significant support to be able to go to Worlds again in 2007.”