Kiwi cheerleading team win gold

A cheerleading team from New Zealand has won a gold medal at the Cheerleading World Championships in the United States. This 23-member All Star Cheerleaders Academy All Girl team is the first from New Zealand to achieve this honor. They competed against more than 550 teams from 21 different countries.

Kimberley Ramsay, the head coach, described the win as a “huge achievement,” especially since this was their 19th year participating. The competition, known for its difficulty, requires teams to perform flawlessly to win. The New Zealand team, comprising young women from Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Taranaki, and Christchurch, excelled in the International All Girl Level 5 Division. They outperformed teams from countries like Canada, England, Australia, and Costa Rica.

Despite only hoping to place in the top five, the team was thrilled to find out they had won first place. “We were beside ourselves, it was very unexpected,” said Ramsay. Overwhelmed by their victory, the team members couldn’t help but drop to the floor in tears.

The competition, held in Orlando, Florida, includes various categories based on team size, age, and gender. Teams must perform a 2.5-minute routine that includes gymnastics, jumps, dance, lifts, and formations like those seen in the show “Cheer” on Netflix.

The New Zealand team began their training in November and intensified their efforts in the months leading up to the competition. They participated in a rigorous boot camp and committed many hours to perfect their routine.

Participating in this event also requires a significant financial investment, as it is self-funded. Despite these challenges, the team’s hard work and dedication paid off with their historic win.