PENANG: Four teams are all set to battle it out today in the regional final of Cheer 2004, Malaysia’s premier cheerleading competition, at Dewan Tunku Geodesic Dome in Komtar here.
This is the first time that a regional competition is being held since the inter-school national cheerleading competition was introduced in 2000.
The winner will walk away with RM2,000 cash, certificates, medals, Clean & Clear hampers and a chance to compete in the national competition in Kuala Lumpur on June 27.
The teams comprise the Titans of SMJK Ave Maria Convent in Ipoh, Victor of Penang Girls’ High School and Mutiara Girls and Siti Zubaidah of SMK (P) Sri Mutiara.
Titans captain Christina Chong, 17, said her team was confident of winning as they had been taking part in the national competition since 2001.
The Fifth Former said the girls, who were from the school’s cheerleading club, had also won the Best Showmanship Award and Best Dressed Award in 2001.
“We have been practising for the past three or four months. The movie Bring It On and its sequel, both focusing on cheerleading competitions, provided us with some tips and strategies,” she said, adding that her team comprised 15 members aged 16 and 17.
Victor's captain Vivian Tan, 16, said she hoped the team's name would bring them victory.
“Although we don’t have a cheerleading club in school, most of us have a ballet or gymnastics background. We also attended last year’s cheerleading clinic for exposure although this is our first time in the competition,” she said.
Mutiara Girls captain Wong Swee Ling, 16, and Siti Zubaidah captain Neoh Hwei Chien, 17, both agreed that close co-operation, not rivalry, was the best policy for both teams from the same school.
“We often practised together in the school field where we also shared ideas on suitable routines. All of us have also grown a shade darker – no thanks to the hot spell,” said Neoh.
They were among more than 200 girls, including non-competing school cheerleading teams and children from the Penang Gymnastic Association, who attended a cheerleading clinic at the dome yesterday.
The half-day clinic was conducted by the British Cheerleading Association’s instructors, Angela Brown, Amanda Bryan, Bonnie Crow, Robert Brown and Darren Adams.
Jointly organised by The Star's Youth2 and Clean & Clear, Cheer 2004 is supported by the Education and the Youth and Sports Ministries.
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