AN ANDOVER cheerleading squad is celebrating becoming international champions after winning its division at a competition in Barcelona.
Charlton Rocks Cheerleading Academy (CRC), based at the Salto Centre in Charlton flew out to Spain to compete at the international cheerleading competition, Future Cheer Barcelona.
The competition was held at the Palau Municipal d'Esports de Badalona on Saturday, June 15 and was the club’s first international event.
The Charlton Rocks Cheer team called CRC Petra, comprised of 10 talented athletes between the ages of eight to 13 years old, dedicated themselves to months of rigorous training and preparation.
Their hard work paid off after the judges awarded CRC Petra 2024 International division winners in the Junior Prep Level 1 division.
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Their high intensity winning routine included group stunting, tumbles, jumps and dance to a custom cheer music mix, unlike the traditional form of cheerleading with pom poms which most would think of.
Academy owner and head coach Tierney Daley, who recently placed sixth as an athlete herself at the 2024 Cheerleading World Championships in Orlando, Florida, said: "As their coach, I am so incredibly proud of their achievement and seeing our club's name on the international stage is a dream come true.
“With only 36 competitive athletes at our club, this is an incredible achievement to place first over so many large programmes who have hundreds of athletes. It just shows what a small club can achieve and witnessing homegrown talent excel is a testament to what our club stands for.”
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She added: “This win holds great significance for our cheer family as it marks the first international title ever won by Charlton Rocks Cheerleading Academy.
“The team has made history and this would not have been possible without the fundraising and supporting put in by our exceptional club members and local community, who helped us provide such an incredible opportunity for our athletes which we are extremely grateful for."
CRC who offers both recreational cheer and competitive cheer has had a tremendous 2023-2024 season so far and they look to continue their success at their last two competitions of the season in Bournemouth and Blackpool in July.
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