Ascension Eagles in British Open to prepare for World Championships

Ascension Eagles Senior Coed team returned from the 2008 ICC British Open Cheerleading and Dance Championship at Nottingham Arena with another first place trophy to add to their 300+ trophy collection.  (ICC = International Cheerleading Coalition)

In just five weeks, Ascension’s finest will go on to represent England at the Cheerleading World Championships in Orlando, Florida.   Ascension Eagles won the Worlds bid at FutureCheer Nationals in July; only the top one per cent of cheerleading teams worldwide are invited to compete at the World Championships. 

The Ascension team has been training and fundraising diligently, and welcomed the opportunity to put their skills to the test at the ICC British Open. 
Rob Horton, aged 21 said, “We learned a great deal by competing this weekend.  It was the first time this team of individuals had competed together, and it pushed us all to perform under pressure.  We did well, winning our division, but we know we are capable of much more.  We were not perfect, and we have each identified ways we can improve our individual and team performance.  It was an incredible learning experience, and we are so glad we now have another five weeks to improve before Worlds.”

Teammate Oishin Lastrollo, aged 15 agreed, “Competing today I was reminded that each of us has to pull our own weight so we don’t let the rest down.  We must push and strive for only the best; in our remaining six weeks, we have to work as hard as we can.”

Tyra McKenzie Gray, aged 14 added, “Competitions are NEVER easy, so we need to make every practice our own competition.  We need to work harder in and out of practice hours.  We cannot be complacent.  To gain good results at Worlds we will have to worker hard than we ever have before.  As a team, we embrace that challenge.”

Holly Gerard, aged 17 said, “We need to learn to focus on the present second of what we are doing – not think about what has just passed, or what is coming next.  We need to make the most of each second so we give it our absolute total investment to every aspect of our routine.” 

Mel Brown, aged 19 said, “It’s important to remember that our reputation doesn’t solely depend on our performance, but also on our attitudes and actions off the competition floor.  It is an honour to be the England team, and to represent the 15,000 cheerleaders nationwide.  Our goal is an excellent performance at Worlds, underpinned with top sportsmanship so that we retain the respect of all we represent and influence.”

In addition to training for the World Championships, Ascension Eagles continue their emphasis on community outreach and development.  In partnership with the London Borough of Newham Sports Development and ExCeL London, Ascension Eagles are hosting the Newham Cheer & Dance Showcase at ExCeL on April 5th, 1.30-4.30, followed by open cheerleading workshops on April 7th-8th, 10.30-12.30.  To register for either of these events, please email registration@cheerleading-academy.org.uk.

“We were especially excited about Nationals this year because the best teams from across the UK were going to be there, and while we knew that meant we’d have to work harder to succeed, we also knew it would be great to watch all these talented teams together in one place,” said 17 year old Tovonya Raybe, Beckton.  “The atmosphere was electric as everyone checked out the competition and saw friends on teams from across the UK demonstrating how far they’ve come in this past year.”

Patrick Asante, Plaistow, retained his title of the UK’s best cheerleader, winning the Eagles first 2007 National title.  Thirteen year old Ascension Eagle mascot Glenn McLoed, assisted by Debbie Haynes, delighted the crowds with his mascot entry, and was crowned Mascot Champion.

With two National titles secure, each of the five AEC teams had to work together to win their respective divisions. Ascension Eagles youngest team, Cheer Excel, had nine teams in their Pee Wee division.  Coach Leonie Linton, 18, Custom House, said, “I’ve competed for England twice on the World stage, and I love the buzz of competing at Nationals myself.  But I must say, the feeling I got watching these kids I’ve coached all year be crowned National Champions was a feeling like no other.  I was so proud of them and what they worked to accomplish.”

The Pee Wee division win was followed by success for Ascension’s Youth Advanced team, Cheer Extreme. 

Ten year old team member Kelly Hayward shared her competition experience:  “I was really excited about performing.  I’ve changed since I started cheerleading, and at this point I wasn’t embarrassed about smiling or getting up in front of thousands of people.  I went onto the competition floor and did my best.  When it was time for results, I was in a group with my friends from Cheer Extreme holding hands and praying.  When the announcer said, ‘2nd place, Goldstar’ – which is the Scottish team in our division who are amazing and we really respect – my face was amazed and tears came into my eyes because I knew that it meant we had won.  Then the announcer said, ‘And your 2007 National Champions are AEC Cheer Extreme.’  I was really proud and I will never forget this experience.”

The Juniors were up next.  Coach Petra Johnson, 18, Custom House said, “Juniors always have it tough, as being 12-15 years old isn’t an easy time in life. 

Our Junior Coed team has really grown up a lot this year; they made a choice to unite their strengths to accomplish their team goals. Nationals is the place to measure progress and see how far the team has come.

They gave a stunning performance and we were delighted when they were crowned National Champions.”

As the 50 Ascension Seniors prepared to compete, five National titles had already been secured by AEC’s teams. The pressure was on for the Eagles Senior members to deliver in their divisions as well.

Within the Senior All Girl division, three of the top five teams had competed on the World stage in 2007. 

In the Senior Coed division, Team USA was competing with an elite team of American cheerleaders, who were previously unbeaten in the international arena.

Team member Mel Brown, 18, Custom House said, “While these top teams are our rivals, they are also people who’ve earned our respect.  We know they’ve been working hard, and they want to win just like we do.  It’s exhilarating to see how many talented teams exist in the UK, and to know that winning Nationals is tougher than ever before.  After we’d competed, regardless of what the judges decided, we knew we’d given our personal best.”

The atmosphere was charged as the final awards were announced.  AEC Senior Coed not only won the National title for the 10th consecutive year, they also beat Team USA!  The entire arena erupted as they witnessed the first time an international team had beaten the much-respected Team USA. 

AEC Senior Coed member Rob Horton, East Ham, said, “No other British team has ever held onto a National title ten years straight.  To beat Team USA at the same time is just so incredible!  Team USA is so talented; this win is particularly meaningful as it says a lot about the standard Ascension has achieved.”

Building on this unprecedented success, Ascension’s Senior All Girl team not only won their extremely tight division, they were also named overall Grand Champions, winning coveted team jackets.

The final announcement of the day was the revelation of 2008 Cheerleading Worlds bids.  Ascension’s Senior All Girl team won the endorsed bid for the UK.  Ascension’s Senior Coed team won an At-Large Worlds bid, as did Scotland’s Goldstar team.

Team member Daisy Scott, 17, Custom House said, “To come top in the UK, to win Worlds bids and to beat Team USA was incredible.  We were ecstatic!"

Director Shara Brice MBE said, “Ten years from now, our members may not remember what the trophies they won look like, but they will never forget all the hard work they put in to come this far, the memories made along the way, and exhilaration of winning with their AEC family.”

AEC’s Leadership & Lifeskills Coordinator Anna France said, “We start the season in September, recruiting local kids and engaging them in a championship level cheerleading program, which also builds leadership and lifeskills.  Less than a year later, each of these local kids are National Champions.  This is defined not just by the trophies they’ve won, but also by the personal and team growth they’ve achieved throughout the year.  It’s through dedicated training and ongoing commitment that Champions are built.”

AEC Head Coach and Choreographer Angela Brown agreed, “We knew this year’s Nationals was going to be tougher than ever, and we made sure each of our members knew that while it was important to do our absolute best, our program is about much more than competition results.  Winning is great, but it’s the work you put into winning that really counts. Regardless of what the judges decide, we know who are we and what Ascension stands for.  Having said that, we are elated with the results and are savoring the moment before we move on to our new season where we will start all over again.”

Ascension Eagles go on summer break after the Newham Town Show, making an exception to perform at the FA Community Shield at Wembley on August 5th.

Over the past year, AEC coaches have worked with over 2000 young people through their London Cheerleading Academy outreach. Ascension’s coaches will continue to work in the community throughout the summer break.

Ascension Eagles hold their 2007-08 auditions on September 8th.  Tryout workshops will be held on September 1st, 1.30-4.30 at The Royal Docks Community School.  For more info, visit www.ascensioneagles.com