One, two, three, four - Cheer again cos we want more!
World of Fitness received funding from Leeds City Council Inner North West Area Committee, to offer free physical activity sessions to the local community of Leeds as part of their drive to improve physical activity access and participation.
One of the after school sessions they decided to offer was Cheerleading to local teens attending Ralph Thoresby School. The sessions commenced late 2007 and over 90 girls registered on the first day.
It proved so popular that when the 10-week course finished, continuation funding was found and 50 girls now regularly attend. Some of the girls want to compete and perform and have been invited to train with the Ladybirds Cheerleading squad.
Emma Ward, Cheerleading and Dance Head Coach said, “We have found that girls, especially teenage girls, who don’t seem to enjoy traditional school sports such as netball, hockey and athletics, seem to be particularly receptive to participating in Cheerleading sessions. It is an exciting sport incorporating all of the health benefits of high-energy cardio activity, plus crucial skills such as coordination, balance, teamwork and trust.
Emma adds “Popular films such as ‘Bring It On’ and ‘High School Musical’, have made cheerleading the ‘in’ thing to do for children and teenagers and we at World of Fitness are pleased to be able to engage so many young people in a new physical activity that they really enjoy.”
The World of Fitness team of experienced and qualified instructors are committed to developing programmes that enable affordable community participation at every level of ability.
They not only operate from the World of Fitness premises in Burley, Leeds but also from satellite sites across the region including schools, colleges and community centres. Although they place an emphasis on fitness and fun, they also coach talent for performance and competition.
Their Cheerleading team participated in a fashion show at the Hard Rock Café Leeds, and enjoyed every minute of performing for the public.
Anne Bateson, Executive Director of World of Fitness states, “We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways in which to engage with the community as a whole, and we are particularly pleased with the response we have had to our Cheerleading sessions.
We would undoubtedly like to offer more young people the opportunity to participate and would certainly welcome contact from schools and colleges interested in offering Cheerleading sessions to students.”
For more information or an interview with Anne Bateson please call Carly on 0113 2660655.