Biggera Waters’ Inspire Athletics named as best cheerleading gym on the Gold Coast

The owner of a Gold Coast cheerleading gym has shared how she took over the business at just 20 years old and turned it into the best of its kind in the city. See who made the top three

The owner of a Gold Coast cheerleading gym has shared how she took over the business at just 20 years old and turned it into the best of its kind in the city.

Inspire Athletics was recently voted by Bulletin readers as the best cheerleading studio on the Gold Coast.

Owner and coach Journey Hipwood, now 22, said receiving the title was a credit to the community at the Biggera Waters gym.

Ms Hipwood took ownership of the gym two years ago, making it her goal to “create a safe place for our athletes to be themselves” and “a second home” to everyone that walked through the door.

“Owning a business at such a young age has it challenges but I definitely couldn’t do this without my amazing staff, family, parents and athletes,” she said.

Ms Hipwood said she decided to start coaching when she was 12 years old to be a role model for younger cheerleaders.

Remi Wallace , Evie Wilson, Dani Manning Journey Hipwood ,Chloe Pienaar and Imogen Wallace as Inspire Athletics has won the best cheerleading gym on the Gold Coast competition. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“While it is difficult coaching alongside doing all the behind the scenes of the business, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said.

“Coaching is what got me to this point and I don’t see myself taking a step back anytime soon.”

Ms Hipwood became a cheerleader when she was nine and in 2021 her team won the World Championships.

Following the victory she took a break from cheering as she navigated her way through owning a business.

“I have made a return as an athlete this year which I am absolutely loving,” she said.

Gemma Willcock, Journey Hipwood and Brianna Toms are members of Level 5 Inspire the first team in Australia to win the World Championships

Ms Hipwood said she believed the “amazing culture” at the gym was the reason they took out the top gong.

“I am often getting messages and emails from parents at other gyms saying how much they love our vibe and energy at competitions.”

Inspire Athletics parent Dana Williams said the gym “deserved the honour”.

“Inspire Athletics is run by a very young, passionate coach and owner of the business,” she said.

“My daughter gained so much under her care.

“She really shows up for these kids and is an inspiration.”

Inspire Athletics claimed 47 per cent of the votes while Burleigh Heads’ Mega Cheer came second with 42 per cent and Burleigh Heads’ Zacs Allstars placed third with five per cent.

Check out the final results here:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Facebook nominations closed on Friday, October 11 @ 6pm.

Nominations, via the comment section on our Facebook post, will be calculated and finalists will be announced on Friday, October 11 @ 6pm.

Finalist voting will be a subscriber-only poll vote that runs on the Bulletin website.

The poll will close on Friday, October 18 @ 6pm.

The winner will be announced in the Gold Coast Bulletin paper and online.

**Note nominations from outside the City of Gold Coast will not be counted**

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Originally published as Biggera Waters’ Inspire Athletics named as best cheerleading gym on the Gold Coast