Cheerleading Squad has something to Cheer about!

Ribblesdale High School cheerleading squad have finished off a truely amazing year with yet more success at Blackpool Tower recently. The squad which now comprises of over 60 pupils from all year groups in school now compete in 5 competitions a year and have amassed in incredible 63 individual trophies since they started from scratch 2 years ago. As well as solo events they now have a Y8-11 team who have also enjoyed success this year.

52 pupils, including 24 new Year 7 and 8s have just taken part in one of the largest and toughest events in the north of England with teams competing from as far away as Scotland. The following girls reached the semi finals in their age category; Age 11 Dance 1; Jordan McTear, Eve Whaling, Eliza Ferris, Ellie Clayton, Morgan Pickup, and Emily Docherty. Age 12 Dance 1 Caroline Dewhurst and Ellauise Dickinson also reached the semis. In the same age group Nina Telford achieved 1st place in the final with Megan Dickinson 5th and Kate Hopkins 7th. Fantastic in their first ever competition! Dance 1 age 13 Leah Ormerod was placed 4th and Age 15 Dance 1 Toyah Clifton came 5th. The Year 8-11 Team were very unlucky not to make the top 3 in the U17 team dance, but they danced incredibly well and in many cases against much older girls.

However, it wasn’t just the pupils who enjoyed their moment of fame in the Grand Ballroom. 4 very brave cheer mums volunteered to take part in Mum’s Dance 1 to raise money for the squad. Denise Hargreaves, Judith Myhill, Lucy Parkinson and Sharon Rawson strutted their stuff in front of 2000 people and were all fantastic, cheered on by the pupils! Between them they raised an incredible £500 which will go towards providing coaches to future competitions. Teacher Dawn Robinson can’t thank them enough for their efforts as they are always very supportive at all competitions, as are all the parents who attend. The squad are currently looking for sponsors, so if any local businesses feel they could lend their support then please get in touch with Dawn on 01200 422563. The club is not funded by school so any support whatsoever would be appreciated especially towards coach travel and competition entries.

Success has followed the girls throughout this year. In June they competed in their first local interschool competition at Hyndburn sports centre and won a staggering 17 individual trophies and also achieved 1st place in the U17 team event. At the Winter Gardens in Blackpool in September, they received 10 awards and were placed 3rd out of 8 teams in the team section.

After Christmas it is likely they will enter 2 teams in future competitions and will be training hard towards their next outing at the Tower on March 11th. Miss Robinson is extremely proud of all the girls particularly as they are the only high school which take part in these competitions with the rest being dance schools from the rest of the North West.