Hills residents Gemma Miles and Belinda Smith, centre, holding trophy, were members of the Australian Outlaws team that finished sixth in last month’s World Cheerleading Championships in Florida.By Paul Pickering
FERNY Creek’s Rosemary Sims admits that her team’s sixth placing in the World Cheerleading Championships surpassed even her own lofty expectations.
As coach of the Wantirna-based Australian Outlaws, Sims says she – along with the rest of the world – is still struggling to comprehend the stunning result.
The event was held at Walt Disney World in Florida on 22 April.
While the ultra-professional United States team predictably lifted the trophy, the Outlaws fast became the talk of the meet after surprising the more established cheerleading nations in Australia’s first World Championship appearance.
The Aussies finished just one point behind the fifth-placed Chinese team, with heavily American-influenced squads from Chile, Canada and Columbia also finishing in the top five rankings.
Performing beyond all expectations, the Aussie team – which included hills residents Gemma Miles (Upwey) and Belinda Smith (Upper Ferntree Gully) – thrived in the friendly and supported atmosphere of the event.
“It really was like being at an Olympics,” Sims said.
“There were 22 countries competing and all of the teams stayed in the same hotel.”
It was also an opportunity for the team to learn from the giants of the sport.
“The American’s were amazing,” Gemma said. “They make it look so easy.”
En route to Florida, the Outlaws stopped off in Los Angeles for a training camp at an All-Star Cheerleading gym – and a spot of shopping in the Hollywood hills.
After the meet had finished, the team had another week to do some sightseeing.
“It was so much fun,” Belinda said. “We had three days at Disneyworld and just went crazy.”
On returning home, the team is hoping to raise the profile of cheerleading in Australia.
Sims noted that there is still very little competition in the sport, with most of the cheerers only competing around two to three times each year.
“Cheerleading is still in its infancy in Australia, we really are the beginning of it all.
“The Americans are so far ahead, but we’ll get there… maybe in 100 years,” she laughed.
Sims was also keen to thank Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino and the Shire of Yarra Ranges for their vital financial support for the trip.
