A TEAM of young cheerleaders from north Durham is celebrating after success in a national competition.
Fifteen youngsters from Derwent Valley Allstars, based at Consett, came second in the recent contest at Telford, in Shropshire.
Coach Ashleigh Sowerby said the Twinkles team, aged five to seven, almost won the British Cheerleading Association annual event.
She said: “They did a two-and-a-half minute routine and that incorporates tumbling, stunts, jumps and dance. We have to create routines that are difficult enough, hard enough and good enough for them to win.
“I think there was less than a point difference between first and second. It was incredibly close. I could not believe it. They did incredibly well.”
The team are already British Cheerleading Association and Legacy Cheer and Dance Tiny Level One regional champions.
Emma Raine, whose daughter Jade, is part of the team, said: “It was their very first time and they came second. We are so proud of them all for their hard work and determination.”
The clubs trains at the Dance Max Studio on Newmarket Street in Consett, on Fridays from 4pm-5.15pm and Sunday, from 10am-11.30pm.
The team will be looking for more members from early June.
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