ASCENSION EAGLES WIN SILVER AND 2 BRONZE IN EUROPE

More than 2000 cheerleaders from Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland and the UK competed at the European Elite Championships at Movie World, Bottrop Germany over the Bank Holiday weekend.  With over 2000 competitors and over 8000 spectators, Elite Championships are the largest in Europe – and are probably the largest outside of the USA.

Three coach loads full of Ascension Eagles and their supporters traveled by EuroTunnel and then through France, Holland and Belgium to reach their German destination.  It was the first time Ascension has travelled to Europe to compete since 2001. 

“We wanted all our teams to compete at the European Championships to help them to focus and prepare for Nationals, which will be 8th July in Brighton.  We also thought it would be good for all our age groups to get to meet cheerleaders from ten other cheer countries,” explained AEC Coach and team member Petra Johnson, 18, Custom House.  “We fundraised to help ensure that maximum numbers from our program could take part.”

AEC Head Coach Angela Brown said,  “Originally when we signed up to compete, we thought this championship was using the same USASF rules that we use in the UK and in the USA.  However, when we learned that they were modifying USASF rules and divisions we decided to enter our Nationals routines anyway, to give our members more experience and preparation time, even if it meant we didn’t rank top.”

This meant that AEC’s youngest team – Cheer Excel, aged 4-8 – would be competing against older cheerleaders, aged 12 and under. 

It also meant that the skills performed by AEC Cheer Extreme, aged 8-12, set them in the more advanced Junior division (for ages 12-15); however, their young age prohibited them from competing at this level. 

A compromise was reached and AEC Cheer Extreme was allowed to exhibit at Junior level, but could not be eligible to win trophies.

In total, AEC competed with 80 cheerleaders in five entries. 

AEC member Patrick Asante, 20, Plaistow, won a Bronze in the Senior Individual section, ranking 3rd out of 17 top European entries.  Patrick, who is ranked number one in the UK said, “I was really proud to be ranked 3rd in Europe.  I was the only individual to set my entry to music, and I was penalized for this, so it was a big surprise to still come top three.”

AEC Cheer Excel was ranked 11th overall, against older Youth teams.  Excel team member Lariah Hawes, Beckton, aged 4, was recognized as the youngest competitor in the entire competition.  AEC Excel coach Gemma Harvey, 18, Custom House said, “Before she went on the floor, Lariah told me she thought she might have a heart attack she was so excited.  I told her to go out on the floor and smile and she’d be fine.  She did it and got a huge response from the crowd.  After it was over, we had to stop her from running back on the competition floor for more!  The whole team did really well.  We are so proud of them!”

In the Junior and Senior divisions, only the top five teams in each category qualify for the Finals on the Sunday.  AEC Coach Natalie Baptiste said, “It was our goal to make it through to the Finals, which wasn’t easy given the tough competition. We knew the rules and scoresheets were going to be different than what we were used to, so we weren’t sure if we’d be able to advance. We were delighted when all our entries got to perform in Finals.  We all had a tremendous sense of accomplishment!”

When Finals results were announced, AEC Cheer Extreme was ranked 5th out of 19 older teams.  Coach Mel Brown, 18, Custom House, said, “Extreme wasn’t eligible to win a trophy, but that isn’t what matters. To be ranked top 5 Junior teams in Europe when they are still a Youth team is phenomenal!  They work so hard and deserve this recognition.”

AEC Junior Coed and AEC Senior Coed, whose goals were to advance to Finals, were delighted to win Silver (Junior) and Bronze (Senior) at the European level.  In addition, both AEC Coed teams won bids to the 2008 Cheerleading World Championships. 

European Elite competition director, Dr. Jan Becker said, “Ascension Eagles performed excellently choreographed routines.  They really have the total package you want to see in a cheerleading program.  There are a lot of European teams that could learn from Ascension’s style and performance content.  They have an excellent choreographer in Angela Brown.”

AEC Director Shara Brice said, “Going to the European Championships was an excellent learning experience.  We have ten top AEC coaches – all local youth who’ve grown up with AEC -- who devote themselves to developing our teams.  Whenever they take 150 cheerleaders and their families away together, there are always opportunities for character growth and leadership and lifeskills development. Our AEC members and their parents represent Newham and England with excellence, and are always prepared to make the most of any opportunity.”

AEC Lifeskills and Leadership Coordinator Anna France said, “In addition to preparing our teams for the European championships, we’ve also been preparing them for new cultural experiences.  We’ve been studying maps, talking about languages and researching cheerleading in other countries.  Our members are preparing reports on their experiences.  The parents are getting into it as much as the kids.  For some, this is their first time to leave England and go abroad.  It is very exciting for all our AEC families.  Cheerleading is our common focus, but this journey together is about so much more than that.”

Dawn Williams, parent of 10-year-old Alex, said, “This was an experience I’m not going to forget.  Being our first weekend away with AEC, everyone is made to feel welcome.  With 150 people bedding down in a sports hall, it was a giant sleepover!  It was great going round the Movie Park together and watching all AEC compete.  I am so proud of all our kids.”

Jr. Coed member Anwar Louis, 15, Plaistow, said, “I thank God every day for what we do, and for the AEC program.  I hope this experience will come again, for good times, fun competitions, traveling and making friends.  I am grateful to my coaches and all the AEC members; we are here because we want to be, not because we have to be.  Everything about this program demonstrates commitment.”