Plenty to cheer about as excited pupils try out new sport

Pupils from Longhill High School in Rottingdean enjoyed a PE lesson to remember when they were shown the ropes by the University of Brighton Panthers cheer squad.

Members somersaulted and danced their way through a performance before Year 7, 8, 9 girls and boys also had a go for themselves.

Year 7 student Mackenzie Stringer, 12, said: “I am really enjoying today. I’ve never done cheerleading before but it is really exciting.”

Oliver Skein, 12, also in Year 7, said: “I’m enjoying it so far. It’s fun because you get to lift each other.”

Pupils were very grateful to the 14-strong Brighton Panthers squad who were made champions in the BCA National Championships in Telford last month.

Squad captain Charlotte Wray, 19, said: “It’s really nice to come and show them what cheerleading is all about.

“Cheerleading is such a different sport so hopefully this encourages more girls to get involved in it at school.”

The event was organised as part of Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign which aims to increase participation of women in sport.

Following the success of the lesson, teachers are now considering forming a cheerleading club and Longhill’s very own cheer squad.

PE teacher Carla Clark said: “This lesson really targets the girls in particular, as we’re trying to increase their participation in sport at the school.

“But at the same time there are so many boys here willing to come and give it a go and embrace the cheerleading.

“We’d love to have a cheerleading after school club and the next step could be to put it into our PE lessons.”

A trampolining club has also been set up after pupils requested the sport which was not offered in PE lessons.

Headteacher Kate Williams said: “Engaging girls in sport is a national issue so we looked at the traditional sports we do and then we have tried to think outside the box.

“So it’s just about doing something different to get them healthy and involved in sport as much as possible.”