Shropshire Star

Pictures: Shropshire cheerleading squad hopes to have plenty to shout about at European championships

[gallery] A cheerleading squad from Shropshire will represent England at the European Cheerleading Championships in Vienna.

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The group of 12, from Bridgnorth and Telford, has competed up and down the country this year, from Blackpool to Birmingham and Worcester.

The girls, aged 10 to 14, are part of CheerForce "pom dance" team, now based at Ketley Business Park, and will be among the 3,000 competitors and coaches at the competition.

It is the only team in the country chosen to represent England in the competition.

Rachael Swinnerton, director of CheerForce, said: "They've been fundraising all year because they have to pay for their flights and accommodation themselves. The British Cheerleaders Association funded their entry and helped fund raise."

The team were given the chance to compete in the European competition last year but unfortunately did not have enough members to take part.

Miss Swinnerton said: "They are amongst the best in the country for this style of dance. They know that the standard over there is insane.

"Their aim is to rank higher than England has ever ranked before as England has never ranked in the top half before.

"The pom dance competition is themed, and most dance to pop music, but we've gone for classical piece of music, Requiem for a Dream, it's very different."

Miss Swinnerton added: "If they were to rank well it would be a Cinderella story because they're from Telford and Bridgnorth, as opposed to some of the competitors who are from big cities. To have a team from Telford and Bridgnorth representing England is really special."

The senior national team is competing on Saturday in Vienna, and they will also be competing at the international competition in Florida in April next year.

The international team is made up of members from groups all over the country, with six members from CheerForce in the team.

CheerForce was launched in September 2011, and since then has been competing all over the country in stunt, cheer and pom dance. For more information, visit: www.cheerforce.co.uk or e-mail: Rachael at: cf10believe@hotmail.co.uk

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