Press Release 25 October 2016 – for immediate release
NATIONAL CHEERLEADING COMPETITION REGISTRATIONS SET TO BREAK RECORD
The New Zealand Cheer Union (NZCU) is holding its Cheerleading Nationals competition at The Trusts Arena, Henderson,
Auckland on 29-30 October 2016 and it is shaping up to be an electrifying event. The competition will involve over 1000
athletes which is the highest number of registrations the NZCU has seen since it started producing this event in 2015.
Athletes are set to travel from all over the country to battle it out for the NZCU Nationals 2015 titles. The
competition will also include performances from two of the country’s best top level teams, Cheer Dynamix “Queens” and
All Star “Legacy”, both of which have put New Zealand on the score board at the Cheerleading Worlds competition in
Orlando in recent years.
The type of cheerleading that will be showcased at this event is far from the sports game side-line stereotype that most
people would think of. Teams are judged on a two and a half minute routine that is crammed full of acrobatic tumbling,
stunting and basket tosses, where ‘flyers’ are lifted and thrown into the air to pull different tricks. The routines
also include energetic dance moves, high-octane music mixes and amazing uniforms, making the end result a definite crowd
pleaser.
Divisions showcased in this competition will include cheerleading teams from private clubs and schools from around New
Zealand. There will also be individual, duo and stunt team cheer speciality divisions as well as a special needs
division which is new for 2016. On top of that there will also be a dance division on Sunday which showcases individuals
and dance teams. This competition will have internationally qualified cheer and dance judges to ensure everyone is
judged fairly and at a really high standard.
The board of the NZCU consists of volunteers that donate their time expertise and knowledge for the love of
cheerleading. According to board member Sindy Gallen, “In the past few years the growth in cheerleading has been
amazing. There are many brand new cheerleading clubs opening each year, as well as more schools starting to offer
cheerleading. In fact, 2016 saw the registration of NZCU’s first two South Island teams. Existing clubs have increased
their team sizes or have created new teams to account for new athletes that have taken up the sport. Many clubs have
also started recreational teams for younger children who are not ready to compete but learn all the basic fundamentals,
which is a sign things are only going to keep getting bigger’’.
There has also been an active push to better the technical standards of the sport throughout the country with the aim of
bringing teams to an internationally competitive level. Due to increasing demand, the New Zealand Cheer Union holds
regular coaching and judging courses across the country to help increase the knowledge base of all coaches. This is very
crucial for the future of cheerleading in New Zealand. NZCU Chair and qualified judge Selena Duncan comments "We have
seen a much better understanding of correct technique being used, which is imperative for the safety of our athletes. We
have also had New Zealand Teams compete in both the USA and Australia, and proudly represent New Zealand and placing
well. This indicates New Zealand cheerleaders are a force to be reckoned with.’’
The NZCU Nationals will be held at The Trusts Arena, 65-67 Central Park Dr, Henderson, Auckland on 29 & 30 October 2016. Doors will open both at 7:15am on both days with speciality items up first and teams in the afternoon.
Entry for spectators is $10 at the door (free for under 5s), and will provide plenty of entertainment for the entire
family.
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ABOUT NZCU
The New Zealand Cheer Union (http://nzcu.org/) is a not for profit society that was set up to positively promote the growth of cheerleading in New Zealand by
providing the cheerleading community with support, advise, education and qualifications. If you are interested in
joining a cheerleading team, we can also point you to a team in your area.