A quick post from the home of cheerleading, or at the very least, where cheerleading takes its ‘vacation’, the amazing Sunshine State of Florida. That’s right, I’m in Orlando just in time for the Cheerleading Worlds (thanks to a very well timed family holiday!)
Upon arrival in Orlando, I just had to make a bee line for Barnes and Noble to pick up a copy of ‘Cheer!’ by Kate Torgovnick – for those of you in the UK who can’t pick it up from our own bookshops, I recommend you order yours from Amazon today as, even though I’m only three chapters in, it is the single most exciting book on cheerleading that I have ever read. Over the next few weeks, I will post a fuller review but until then, please check out Kate’s own blog here.
Speaking of cheer blogs, it was during that same Barnes and Noble trip that I picked up this months copy of American Cheerleader from the news stand and was very pleasantly surprised (read: actually extremely shocked!) to find that this site has been listed in American Cheerleader’s ‘best of’ list. Thanks guys and hello to any readers, I’ll be updating the links list with the other blogs listed soon.
I’m so excited about seeing Worlds this weekend, supporting AEC and the other UK teams that have made the trip out to compete in the ever growing International Division. I’m also very excited to see the teams that I’ve only been able to see on Youtube up until this weekend and hope to be able to update with pictures as early as Monday.
It’ll be in sharp contrast to another type of cheerleading I have seen on this trip, namely the NBA ‘Magic Dancers’ who shook their pom poms (and other stuff) at the Orlando Magic playoffs last night at the Amway Stadium.
To be fair, the announcer never actually uttered the words ‘cheerleaders’ (only ‘dancers’ and ‘number one fans’) but it was implied by the use of pom poms and the direction their performance was aimed.
For the unitiated visitor, it was an immense crowd to be a part of – all shouting ‘DEEE-FENSE’ at the same time and really getting into the atmosphere – the cheerleaders/dancers were an additional bit of glamour but of course were not the main focus of the game.
Inevitably there was some discussion among our party if they were actually cheerleaders and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that they were probably more ‘cheer-leader’ than ‘cheerleader’. I think they did a great job doing what they are paid to do; dance and distract the fans from the break in play. Whether or not it was appropriate for some fans in the stands is a discussion for another day but for now….
Best of luck to all UK teams heading out for Worlds this weekend. Can’t wait to see you Bring It!
Filed under: Cheer Blog | Tagged: Cheerleaders, Cheer-the-book, Worlds, nba magic dancers
