Ascension Eagles culminate 2009-10 season of success

Newham’s Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders (AEC) culminated their 2009-10 season by competing at JamFest International in Liverpool on 3rd July 2010. Alongside teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Finland and Norway, AEC entered five teams, made up of 130 members, aged 7 to 24.
Ascension Eagles Mini Coed (aged 7-9) won first place in the JamFest Mini division, and overall Level 1 Champions, achieving the top Level 1 score out of all the age groups. Last month, at FutureCheer Nationals, Bournemouth, AEC Mini Coed were named National Champions and overall Mini Grand Champions. AEC Mini Coed are coached by Patrick Asante, Holly Gerard, Sammie Bromley, Philippa Raybe, Kaydia Small and Leonie Small.
Ascension Eagles Cheer Extreme (aged 9-12) won first place in the JamFest Youth division, and overall Level 2 Champions, with a score that topped older Level 2 teams in both the Junior and Senior divisions. This incredible feat reflects the disciplined teamwork displayed by AEC Extreme, who placed second at FutureCheer Nationals. AEC Extreme are coached by Mel Brown, Tovonya Raybe and Lisa Poblicks.
Ascension Eagles Synergy (aged 12-15) won first place in the Junior Jamfest division, as well as “Most Entertaining” performance out of the Mini, Youth and Junior teams. At FutureCheer Nationals, AEC Synergy won overall Junior Grand Champions. AEC Synergy are coached by Natalie Baptiste, Lorraine Ofori, Holly Gerard and Sammie Bromley.
Ascension Eagles Prodigy (aged 13-18) won second place in the tough JamFest Senior division. At FutureCheer Nationals, AEC Prodigy won National Champions. AEC Prodigy are coached by Tovonya Raybe and Patrick Asante.
Ascension Eagles Legacy (aged 15-24) retained their unbroken 13-year Champion record by winning Level 5 Champions. AEC Legacy also won “Most Entertaining” senior JamFest performance and overall Grand Champions of JamFest International. Highlights of the past season include winning European Champions at the ICU Open, winning 6th at the Cheerleading World Championships, and achieving 3rd overall Nation's Cup status for Great Britain in the world cheerleading ranking. AEC Legacy are coached by Angela Brown, Patrick Asante and Natalie Baptiste. Legacy member Alfie Glace serves as Tumble Coach to all five AEC teams. AEC’s competition music is mixed by Legacy member Steven “Pops” Gordon, whose mixes are rapidly growing in popularity within the wider cheer community.
As top overall scorers for Level 1, 2 and 5 at JamFest, Ascension Eagles received three bids to The Final Destination, U.S.A. in 2011. AEC Mini Coed, AEC Extreme and AEC Legacy are the first three teams worldwide to win bids for the 2010-11 Final Destination event. It is estimated that the world’s top 1300 teams will compete together and be ranked by video within each age group and division to determine ultimate overall World ranking. AEC Legacy have also received a Partial Paid 2011 Worlds bid from International Cheerleading Coalition and an at-large Worlds bid from Future Cheer.
As their final event of the season, AEC will hold a “Celebration of Champions” on 5th July at Talent Central, London’s premiere cheer gym, located at Gallions Reach Shopping Park.
Looking ahead to 2010-11, AEC will celebrate their 15th season by increasing their outreach and doubling the size of their core program. Ascension Eagles 2010-11 Senior team auditions will be held 10th July for guys and girls aged 15+ with advanced tumbling skills. Over the summer, cheer, dance and tumbling classes will be held at Talent Central to help younger athletes (aged 7-14) prepare for AEC auditions on 4th September.
Ascension Eagles, est. 1996, strives to develop Britain’s best cheerleaders while transforming and inspiring young people to reach their full potential. AEC teams are coached by members who have grown up within the AEC program and who achieve internationally recognized coaching qualifications. In addition to coaching and competing on the AEC teams, these young leaders serve over 1000 cheerleaders each week. Sessions are held in 30 East London schools and community centers, as well as open classes being led at Talent Central.