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Ascension Eagles celebrated ten years of record-breaking, history-making cheerleading this month by hosting a reunion for past and present members and their families. 

Held at the home of the Ascension Eagles – Ascension Church Centre, Baxter Road, Custom House – the reunion included “Champions Walk Timeline,” quizzes, photo cakes, a trophy auction and the premiere of Ascension’s “10 Year Reunion” DVD, specially commissioned and produced by asceNsion Digital Concept Creation Ltd.

Director Shara Brice MBE said, “It was a very special day.  I was delighted to see so many former members mixing with all our current AEC family.  Everyone really enjoyed watching the premiere of the DVD as well; so many highlights and special moments were captured.  It’s amazing how many kids have come through the program over the past 10 years.  It has been a privilege watching them grow up, and sharing their life journey.  But it’s not over yet – the best is yet to come!”

Members choose to sell approximately 100 of their 250 trophies to help raise funds.  Members decided which trophies to keep at Ascension to remember certain points of their journey and triumphs over the years.  However, they agreed that it wasn’t the trophies they valued most; it was the hard work and lessons learned in earning those trophies that really mattered.  Altogether, over £1000 was raised on the day.

Local Cllr. James Butler showed his support by coming along to the trophy auction.  While he was prepared to pay a fair price, he politely restrained himself from the trophies he could see the cheerleaders really wanted.  Ascension Eagles Head Coach Angela Brown said, “For some of the members, it was a great opportunity to bid on a trophy that they had won as a team.  Some of the trophies were hotly contended, but in the end, most people who wanted one came away with something.”
Cllr. Butler paid £33 for a UK Championship trophy, which he kindly donated back into the AEC collection.

The 2006 England team members were quite worried when their “Grand National Senior Coed” trophy – which marks their bid as “first-ever England team to Worlds” -- went on the auction block.  They bid fast and furiously to keep it at Ascension.  Britain’s best male cheerleader, Patrick Asante bid up to £100 to retain the trophy for Ascension.  At that point, it was announced that a private bidder was willing to go up to £250.  The hall erupted with surprise, and then applauded when they heard the bidder was Sir Robin Wales, and that the £250 donation would serve as a rental fee for the trophy to be showcased at the Town Hall, and then be returned to Ascension.

Founding member Natalie Baptiste said, “It was a brilliant day.  It was fun to look back at all we’ve done and how far we’ve come.  I came when I was 13, and now I’m nearly 24.  Like so many young people, I’ve grown up with Ascension and my life is certainly better because of it.  I look forward to giving back as I volunteer time coaching Ascension’s younger members next season.”