IT is the glittery A-team that started as a humble once-a-week class in 2007 at Dixon Park.
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By 2008, the East Coast Allstars competitive cheerleading squad had grown to 40 members and moved to a Gateshead warehouse to practise more regularly.
Now, its 130 members are lacing up their trainers and donning their best bows for the state cheerleading championships this weekend in Sydney.
Club co-owners Derrick and Kassandra Turner have personally coached all six teams since day one.
They will take the whole club to compete, hoping to win age divisions, couples routines and the all-girls stunt team round.
It will be their second competition this year, and Mr Turner said they had worked hard since regionals to refine their skills.
He said despite individual differences, there was a place for everyone in their routines.
‘‘You don’t have to have experience to be a cheerleader, you don’t even have to be flexible,’’ Turner said.
‘‘We’ve got a spot for short people, tall people, thinner people and stronger people.’’
Today, five East Coast Allstars returned home from Beijing where they attempted to break the world record for the highest basket toss, which was previously set by the club’s own Mr Turner at 5.4metres.
