Eagles will represent England at world championship finals

THE final leg of the Olympic torch relay through London was cheered on by church cheerleaders Ascension Eagles.

The Eagles were chosen to take part in the event in the O2 arena because they represent the highest
ideals of the Olympic movement. These athletes also perform at events to promote the London 2012Olympics in Newham, the host borough.

The club aims to transform and inspire young people to reach their full potential and in turn make a
difference to others in their community and the world.

The Eagles have grown from a church outreach programme at Ascension church in Victoria Docks in 1996 into the country's top cheerleading team.

Last month, Ascension Eagles senior coed team returned from the 2008 British Open Cheerleading and Dance Championship at Nottingham Arena with another first-place trophy to add to their 300-plus trophy collection. As The Month was closing for press, Ascension's finest were preparing to fly out to represent England at the World Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Eagles won the Worlds bid at FutureCheer Nationals last July - only the top one per cent of cheerleading teams worldwide are invited to compete at the World Championships.

The Ascension team has been training and fundraising earnestly, and welcomed the opportunity to test their skills at the British Open.

Team member Mel Brown, 19, said: "It's important to remember that our reputation doesn't solely depend on our performance, but also on our attitudes and actions off the competition floor. It is an honour to be the England team, and to represent the 15,000 cheerleaders nationwide.

Our goal is an excellent performance at Worlds, underpinned with top sportsmanship so that we retain the respect of all we represent and influence."

And team-mate Tyra McKenzie Gray, 14 added: "Competitions are never easy, so we need to make every practice our own competition.

"We need to work harder in and out of practice hours. We cannot be complacent. To gain good results at Worlds we will have to work harder than we ever have before.

"As a team, we embrace that challenge."

Eagles are the only International team to represent their country for three consecutive years. They were 12th in 2006 and seventh last year with their final score just three points away from third place.

While some teams draw their membership from elite recruitment, Eagles are committed to working with local youth and transforming them into national champions.

Eagles director Shara Brice said: "Many of our Worlds rivals train in purpose-built gyms, with competition standard sprung floors, while we train in a church hall, just three panel mats wide.

"We learn to make the most of what we have, and not to waste any opportunities to improve our skills and life experience.

"We have worked hard to raise funds to represent England again. We are grateful to the supporters who have helped make this possible."

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