Take a look at SA’s upcoming stars of cheerleading
Cheerleading isn’t just an American hobby – it’s now an official Olympic sport and these up-and-coming young South Aussies aspire to dance for gold.
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The sport of cheerleading has been officially welcomed into the Olympics so it’s time to see the talent SA has to offer the games.
Jess Fortune, founder and co-owner of Adelaide All Star Cheerleading, said cheerleading has developed in SA from small teams competing against each other as a hobby to thousands of athletes at local competitions.
“We’ve seen such rapid growth not just in popularity but also in Australia’s international competitiveness over the past decade,” she said.
“It’s always been an amazing sport to be part of and now that it’s been recognised as an Olympic sport, we are even more excited for our athletes.”
The Advertiser asked cheerleading clubs and groups from across Adelaide to nominate two of their cheerleaders/dancers for our list of upcoming cheer stars.
Here are their nominations.
Adelaide All Star Cheerleading
Ashley Nguyen, 12, Oakden
Isla Krasnov, 15, Walkley Heights
Isla has done “cheer” for nine years, Ash for six. Both athletes were national champions for cheer last year in a team together; they’re both hard working tumblers and were recognised as some of the top coming talent in SA at the Infinity Next Gen camp. Isla and Ashley will be competing in the national championships in November, and Isla has won the right to compete in the world cheerleading championships, in two categories, in April 2023.
Empire Dance Studio
Ashlyn Sparham, 17, Greenwith
Zoe Bray, 17, Paralowie
Zoe and Ashlyn are two experienced dancers, having trained in all styles from a young age. Nowadays, their passion lies with the Jazz and Pom dance styles. Their major honour to date was being part of the Junior Worlds Team to represent Empire and Australia at the Dance Worlds in Florida 2020.
All Abilities Cheer and Dance
Harriette, 8, Valley View
Harriette has autism spectrum disorder and ADHD but she has experienced great social, physical, and emotional benefits from cheerleading. Cheerleading has helped her to build balance and proprioception, spatial awareness, visual stabilisation, memory, strength, musicality and teamwork, all while making friends. Her coach says Harriette is shy in social settings but very outgoing while performing! Harriette will perform at the Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation National Championships on the Gold Coast in November.
Phoenix Cheer and Dance
Xavier Bubner, 11, Salisbury Heights
With only two years of experience, Xavier has used his hard work to achieve three levels of cheerleading skills. With a fantastic team-oriented attitude, his experience includes all stunting positions including flyer, base and back spot. Phoenix Cheer and Dance coaches say Xavier has a natural athletic ability and has shown commitment, patience and perseverance to develop his cheerleading skills.
Alexa King, 9, Glen Osmond
A dedicated athlete, Alexa started cheerleading when she was six years old. She has developed her flexibility, athletic ability and tumbling skills. Alexa is a focused and driven athlete who spends most of her time training and going over routines to ensure she is always improving.
Rubi Pierce, 12, Rosewater
Rubi has been cheering for eight years and is one of the most spirited athletes you could \\meet. During her eight years in the sport, she has been involved in youth age cheer and danceability teams. She is an all-round cheerleader — a flyer, base, and back spot. She can also jump, dance and tumble. At 12 years old, she already has multiple national championship titles under her belt.
Blitz Cheer and Dance
Kaelyn Earnshaw, 15, Greenwith
Kaelyn is a team player and empowers her teammates. She started the sport at age 11 and is now a level 4 tumbler, base and back spot. A huge lover of the sport, Kaelyn has become a huge part of the Blitz program and was awarded two positions on their travelling teams
In 2021 she was awarded national champion for her senior level 3 team.
In early 2022 she was voted by her teammates to be team captain of the junior level 3 and 4 teams. She also is in a mentoring program and has been awarded two positions in Blitz’s travelling teams competing at the Global Games in Hawaii in 2023.
Emily King, 9, Redwood Park
Blitz said Emily is mature beyond her age and takes on feedback and instruction to the same level as her older teammates. She is extremely advanced for her age and at just nine years old has moved from basic skills to elite skills. Emily was named national champion for her junior level 2 in 2021 and is the youngest level 4 athlete at Blitz.
Momentum All-Star Cheerleading
Blake Day, 34, Morphett Vale
Blake is a passionate athlete and coach who started cheer in 2018 as someone who didn’t even know what cheerleading was. His determination and drive for excellence in his technique and skills have turned him into both the envy and role model of his fellow teammates and younger athletes. He recently placed first in an assisted partner stunt routine at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and has ambitions to become a national champion.
Payton Perkins, 7, Onkaparinga Hills
Payton is a little pocket rocket who starting cheerleading this year and fell in love with it from her first class. She is a conditioning and tumble star, excelling in every aspect of the sport from tumbling, jumps, stunts as both a base and a flyer. She will compete in her first cheerleading competition next month.
Rebel 4orce Cheerleading and Gymnastics
Amalie Stewart, 9, Littlehampton
Amalie is a determined team player who is loyal and dedicated to cheerleading. So far she has achieved four national champion titles, seven grand champion titles and seven state champion titles. Amalie was named Rebel’s mini tumbler of the year in 2019, rising Rebel in 2020 and Rebel flyer of the year in 2021.
Isla Grace Harder, 12, Crafers West
Isla is a star cheerleader, hardworking and determined at Rebel 4orce. Isla is a valuable team member who is always committed to doing the best for her team. With a true passion for cheer, she strives to be the best she can be. In her cheer career, she has achieved three national champion titles, seven grand champion titles, four runner-up national champion and a number of first place awards from levels 1-4.
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