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Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders, from London's 2012 Olympic borough of Newham, returned from their two week trip to USASF Cheerleading Worlds and COA Ultimate Championships with trophies, a banner, team jackets, a wealth of new experiences and memories to last a lifetime.

Ascension Eagles spent the first weekend of their tour competing at COA’s Ultimate Championships. They won their division, earning them a coveted first place trophy and banner, and Championship jackets for each of the 34 member coed team.

Steve Wedge, COA president said, “We were proud to have the Ascension Eagles represented at COA’s ULTIMATE Nationals.  They did their country proud by winning the International Junior Coed Level 5 division.  In addition, the Ascension Eagles put on an impressive performance at the USASF Cheerleading Worlds the following weekend.  COA looks forward to next year when the Ascension Eagles return to Orlando, Florida to defend their title at COA.”

Overcoming obstacles

This victory was especially meaningful as team coach and choreographer, Angela Brown, experienced an injury during day one of the COA competition. Despite this mishap, the Ascension team still managed to maintain a 20 point lead. Angela was treated at hospital and spent most of the following week in a wheelchair, trying to rest her injured knee.

Meanwhile, Ascension’s Senior Coed team spent the week training at an Orlando’s Mac All Star cheer gym, reworking their routine in case team leader Angela was unable to compete with them at Worlds.

On the final day of training, as they ran their routine one last time, team member Hayley Rivers, 20, injured her ankle as she completed a 360 degree stunt rotation.
“It really hurt, but we iced and elevated it. It didn’t swell, and I kept trying to rest it,” said Hayley. “We had a 48 hour training break before the Saturday at Worlds, and we all hoped this would be enough time for my ankle to recover.”

Unfortunately, two days later, when Hayley tried to stunt again, the pain was too great, and she was unable to compete. Coach Angela asked to be seen by the trainer of the world-famous Georgia All Stars. He examined her knee, gave her treatment and a knee brace, and the team began to re-work the routine once again, with less than 24 hours to go before the World finals.

Hayley said, “With all the injuries, I think it would have been easy for everyone to feel defeated and want to quit, but AEC strive to live life with no regrets. We picked ourselves up and carried on like Champions.”

Cheerleading Worlds

To save money during the trip, Ascension Eagles stayed in budget hotels. However, for the Worlds, Ascension Eagles were required to stay on Disney property, in an Olympic-style village for the 700 competing cheerleaders and their coaches.
Twenty-six countries were represented at the third annual Cheerleading Worlds, held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.

All Star Cheer magazine reported, “The Cheerleading Worlds will live up to its name again this month as the U.S. All Star Federation, host of the annual competition, honors the best of the best – nationally and internationally. This year, the upper echelon has grown to include 30 and 40 elite all-star teams hailing from countries around the globe, from Chile to China.”

“While we were in awe of the big-name teams and their reputations, one of the funny things is that we didn’t feel out of place or intimidated by the outstanding talent around us; on the contrary we felt as though we deserved to be there and felt proud that we were representing 11,000 cheerleaders back in the UK who had so much faith in us,” said Mel Brown, 17, Custom House. “A highlight for me was when we had finished our routine on the Sunday at Worlds and were holding our ending positions. For that moment in time I felt like a celebrity knowing that the most talented and inspiring teams in the world were watching and cheering for us. Knowing that we never had as useful facilities as the other teams, hearing the cheers we received made me feel like a real champion on that floor!”

When the results were announced, Ascension Eagles placed 12th, out of 21 international teams. Eight of the teams above AEC were American teams, while only one of China’s eight teams, one of Columbia’s four teams and a Canadian team placed higher than Ascension’s England team.

Founding team member, Samantha Lee, 24, Custom House said, “Competing at Cheerleading Worlds is the ultimate achievement for any cheerleader. I always wanted to compete in America, and to do it in such a big way is more than we ever dreamed. We ranked 5th best cheer nation in the world, and 12th team overall. We are very proud of what we have accomplished.”

Jim Chadwick, USASF President said, “There are American teams that competed at this year’s Cheerleading Worlds who have been undefeated for five years at major national competitions, and placed 4th-6th at Worlds. For Ascension Eagles to premiere and rank in their first attempt is a major accomplishment. When a country enters an Olympic event for this first time, they expect it to be a learning experience. Ascension Eagles have exceeded expectations and made their mark on the world stage.”

Andrea Kulberg, Future Cheer President said, "The Ascension Eagles have truly accomplished some landmark "firsts" for the world-wide cheerleading community. After a great performance at the Future Cheer International Cheer & Dance Championships last July, the Ascension Eagles were the first team to win a bid to the 2006 USASF Cheerleading Worlds. Competing at Worlds is the ultimate accomplishment for any all-star cheer athlete -- it truly is the competition for the best of the best. With only 21 teams able to qualify for the International Open coed division, Ascension has clearly come a long way to represent UK cheerleading just by getting there. Considering the thousands of teams that could have been viable contenders for this division, the AEC final ranking of 12th in the entire world is no small task. We are so proud of each and every member of the Ascension Eagles -- athletes, coaches, parents, and supporters -- for their outstanding accomplishments. With such a strong representation from international cheer teams, there is most definitely an entirely new chapter beginning in the cheer community! Congratulations again to the Ascension Eagles!"

Reflections on Worlds trip

Looking back on the trip, coach Angela said, “We have obtained COA champions jackets which is something we have strived for, for a long time. We have also achieved being ranked the 5th best country in the international division proving to everyone that no matter what obstacles and challenges we are faced with, as a strong AEC family, we were able to use each other for encouragement and strength to overcome the difficulties.”

Hayley Rivers, 20 Beckton, reflects, “Spending time with the same group of people for two weeks is definitely a test of character and I think with all the highs and lows of this trip we’ve not done too badly. Being with each other through the many emotions has brought us closer together as a team and as friends.”

Team member Jenna Dawson, 21, Stratford, agreed, “On the plane on the way back, there was a real sense of achievement in everyone. After experiencing the injuries we had, I think each of us knew that whatever life throws at us, we can work together to determine the success of the routine at the competition and of the trip overall. Everyone has learnt some valuable lessons about respect, determination and perseverance. We were also successful as a team in working together to fundraise and to gain match-funding support, and that made us value the experience a whole lot more. Even when we were all exhausted, individuals went out of their way to speak to other squads and to represent the Ascension Eagles and England with pride and maintained a good attitude.”

Tovonya Raybe, 16, Beckton, said, “It’s amazing to have experienced a trip like this; no one other than those present could go through the emotions that we did. It’s a memory I can treasure for the rest of my life. A memory I can tell my kids and grandkids who can tell their kids who can tell their kids what the first ever England team to attend the USASF Cheerleading Worlds accomplished and overcame. I thank God that He sent me on a trip like this. I also thank our director Shara Brice for being the person she is because without her and those who work alongside her, there would be no AEC who are the best in England and 5th best cheer country in the world!”

Mel Brown, 17, Custom House, said, “We would like to thank our supporters -- the Jack Petchey Foundation, The Royals Business Park, London ExCel, London City Airport, Urban Futures, Royal Docks Trust, NewCeys, Stagecoach, Barclay’s, Gallions Reach, ELBA and FutureCheer International -- for having so much faith in our team. When we performed, we performed for those people who showed true faith in us. Knowing that we had so much support from those people at home really pushed us to be at our best and to represent our community and country with excellence.”