A cheerleading troupe of Hunter kids will take their high-flying act to the United States next year after a superb display at the Aussie Gold Cheerleading International Championships on Sunday.
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Team Immortal, which trains out of the Beresfield-based Oxygen All Stars cheerleading gym, will be the first ever Australian team to compete in the senior co-ed division of the 2018 USASF Cheerleading World Championships.
It comes after Immortal’s performance at the Australian championships on the Gold Coast over the weekend, where they won their senior co-ed section before being awarded the 'worlds bid’, which secures their place in the world championships in Florida in April 2018.
Husband and wife duo Courtney and Ryan Turton own the Oxygen All Star gym, with Courtney calling the team’s commitment to training “inspiring”.
“They train three to five times a week, with some kids travelling more than an hour each time – it’s pretty inspiring,” she said.
Courtney said the team’s reaction to the news reflected the effort they had put into their training.
“They were crying and hugging each other, it was so nice,”
“They were absolutely shocked.”
The team, which consists of 12 girls and two boys between the ages of 12 and 17, is made up of kids from across the Hunter.
“We’ve got kids from all over the Hunter – Singleton, Wallsend, Maitland, Ashtonfield,” Courtney said.
“I’m so proud for these kids. They’ve trained so hard for this event over the last year.
“To put in all the hard work and then get the worlds bid, they just deserve it so much.”
The team will keep training as they prepare to face the best cheerleading crews from across the world in America next year.
“They’ll be rubbing shoulders and warming up next to their idols,” Courtney said.
“It’s really exciting.”
Anyone who can support the group’s trip is encouraged to contact Oxygen All Stars on 0408 341 640.
