Future Cheer 2015: Most Successful Weekend in Diva History!

Whilst many were spending Valentine’s weekend wining and dining, Durham’s cheerleaders travelled to Birmingham with their minds only focused on one thing – securing yet more trophies to add to their rapidly growing collection. Over three days and two separate events they did just that, winning two of the five categories they entered and finishing third in the others, making it the most successful weekend in their history.

The squad got off to a flier in the University Nationals on Friday as the Level 3 Coed (mixed gender) Group Stunt recorded an incredible score of 251.6/300 for their stunt-based routine, claiming their third successive title year. Unfortunately, their unbeaten streak was ended at the Heart of England championships two days later as they finished behind the highly talented Twist Xtreme and Aberystwyth Tarranau. Despite this, the feeling amongst the team was a positive one, especially given that the group were forced into a change from their regular line-up just weeks before the event. ‘We are still very pleased with the third placed finish,’ reflected Tim Hughes. ‘We had high expectations after Friday but it just goes to show that you never know what the other teams can pull out of their sleeve.’

Elsewhere, the Level 2 Coed Stunt Group made their competitive debut at the Heart of England event on Sunday and were the first act of the day, arriving at the venue at 05:30 for a performance at 07:00. Although group member Gen Ainsworth admitted that the routine ‘could have gone better,’ they still did well enough to secure first place and ensure their first competition was one to remember. Flyer Katy Handley admitted that the performance was quite ‘nerve-wracking’ but that ‘considering it was our first one [competition], we did really well.’

The undoubted stars of the weekend, though, were the All-Girl Level 3 Varsity team. Although they may not have won either of the divisions they entered, they produced two sublime performances that left their captain Amy Rentell feeling ‘absolutely over the moon and bursting with pride.’ At the University Nationals they scored a highly commendable 104.5/150, narrowly finishing behind reigning champions Southampton Vixens and new title-holders Birmingham Pussycats. This was a huge improvement on last year’s competition and indeed Nationals before that, something Rentell was very aware of. ‘Last year we came ninth and to be honest we’ve always been at the bottom of the pile with regards to Future Cheers because lots of teams have so many more tumblers than us and are just so much cleaner. To come third is just the most incredible feeling ever.’

Varsity were then again beaten by the same two squads on Sunday but, given the difficulties the squad have faced this year, to come close to such well-renowned teams is a remarkable achievement. ‘We didn’t have any finances and we started off [the year] with 22 girls that had never cheered at level 3 before’ admitted Rentell, before adding ‘but everybody has worked their butts off and it has finally paid off this term.’

Next up for the Divas is the Jamfest competition in three weeks, which will see the Junior Varsity squad join Varsity for their first ever competition, whilst Rentell added her hopes for the 2016 Nationals are to ‘place in the top three again and maybe even beat Southampton and Birmingham.’ One thing that is for certain is that it will not be long before Durham’s cheerleaders will experience success yet again. To see videos of the performances click here. Article written by Will Moulton for Durham Palatinate Online