Exciting times for local cheerleaders

UKCA Northern Ireland representative, Karen Graham, led a team of cheerleaders from Riada Rockets and Moyle Kestrels who exhibited throughout the day and also led a samba procession through the town centre.

The event was part of the Craigavon Intercultural Project in partnership with the University of Ulster. Five time gold medallist rower Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Mary Peters were among those who attended as well as TV and radio crews.

Karen said that the girls “certainly raised the spirits of onlookers and attracted very positive feedback, a great credit to our sport.

”Thank you also to the 16 gymnasts from Riada Gym Club for exhibiting a wonderful sports acro routine.”

Members also recently took part in the Fourth of July celebrations of the Irish American Football Association in Lurgan.

Karen said: “I accepted an invitation from Greg Loughan, President, to exhibit and promote cheerleading and the first ever Northern Ireland exhibition was formed in June. Many hours of hard work went into preparing and training the team.”

A Northern Ireland Exhibition team also took part in an event in Newry at the start of this month.

Looking ahead, a UKCA team will be involved in a six-hour programme to include taster workshops, come-and-a-try sessions with cheerleaders at a Belfast City Council 2012 sporting initiative on July 23.

A future taster event is also being held at Antrim Forum at a date to be announced.

For further details on cheerleading events visit www.cheerleadingni.com