It's been a minute

So it's been a minute, ok more than a minute. More like 4 years since my last post. These last few years have been a roller coaster of events for my now not so little cheerleader. The pandemic, a house move and a new school have all played their part in the struggles she has had, but once again cheerleading has rescued her.

After doing her BGU coaching course last year (bought for her birthday present in an attempt to remind her of the love she has for the sport, and that she was still more than capable) I half coaxed half duped her into doing a "trial class" at the local village hall. To her utter shock and amazement over 40 children turned up and loved her! Almost 12 months later and she has more than 60 little cheerleaders of her own to pass her wisdom on to in her own unique, funny, crazy way. As a mother I am beyond proud of all she has achieved over this last year, and to watch her coach is a new high in my parenting journey. She has 7 classes a week, teaches an after school club, and is constantly planning choreo, booking performances and choosing costumes! She adores each and every student, and teaching them is like oxygen for her.

Enter her childhood cheerleading team...the one who embossed her adoration and dedication for cheerleading upon her heart. With top tier coaches and athletes this team has had her love from the age of 4.

So, to be invited to join them for their pom and jazz teams in Allstar Worlds 2025 was a dream come true, and naturally was accepted.

There is nothing like your heart team, where everything just gels, the routines are immaculate and each athlete encourages the next like it was their sister.

On a personal note I have watched a lot of these now young adults grow up. They are all so talented, so passionate and it makes me ecstatic that I have been able to watch them grow throughout the years, not only in stature but through their training and successes. They really are an extraordinary group of girls, each blazing their own paths though life with a ferocity that can only come from the heart of a true cheerleader.

The joy it has given me to see my once shy little girl, who so lacked confidence find her self belief through these coaches and the girls she dances with is immeasurable. Over the years she has been uplifted in spirit (and body) by these athletes.

All the team sleepovers, sharing makeup at competitions (Ruby Woo, if you know, you know) tearing round hotel corridors at stupid o'clock laughing with each other, spa days, shopping trips, birthday parties, Christmas shows (my personal favourite) bow making, they were always together! Not just these amazing girls, but their coaches too, so happy to join in with every part of these kids lives, because they weren't just a team, they were and forever will be a family, which still shows now they are all grown.

Of course that is what she hopes to do with her own team, all the fun, the love, the laughs and the legacy will live on through her in her athletes and the opportunities she creates for them.

So now we are finally heading off to Worlds, the archetype of every cheerleaders career, and I cannot wait to see my daughter on that stage. I wonder if she knows, that next to her will be the 4 year old little girl who could only dream of the successes, accolades and joys that cheerleading has brought her throughout the years... I wonder if she knows how excited I am to finally see her on that stage....I wonder if she knows that we all knew she would make it one day...I wonder if she knows...