This gallery contains 20 photos.
Here are some photos of Aces at Future Cheer Nationals 2013 in their Worlds Qualifier Round. These are courtesy of Sophie Welton – Thank you – and document the routine where Aviator Allstars won their Bid to the World Cheerleading … Continue reading
Aces – Future Cheer Nationals 2013
#fcbythebeach
We have just returned from Future Cheer Nationals in Bournemouth that was held over the weekend of the 6-7th July.
Taking 5 hours to drive from Leeds, we arrived in the afternoon. After walking through the routine and refreshing everyone’s memories it was time to head to warm-up.
Everything went well on the practice mat, but it was clear that nerves were getting the better of some of our athletes.
With everyone working to calm each other down and encourage each other, the team waited backstage. There was a lot riding on this competition and they really wanted to hit a clean routine.
As they took to the mat, the anticipation and nerves were palpable. The lights were bright, the music started loudly and suddenly everyone exploded into performance mode, hitting a beautiful opening sequence and gathering confidence as the routine went on. Although there were problems with our pyramid we ended strong and were awarded third place.
Aces – Future Cheer Nationals 2013
The next day, we spent the morning in the sun on the beach and in the gardens stunting before heading inside for some team time.
Everyone was determined to hit a better routine today, you could see it in everyone’s eyes as they warmed-up.
Once on the practice mat, every stunt and tumble hit clean, sharp and on time. They really blew the coaches away! …They really wanted this!
When they entered the floor, all the athletes were composed and ready. The routine was sharper, cleaner and although there were some issues, overall a much better routine!
Next it was just a waiting game. There were no placings today, just the announcement of who has won a bid to the Cheerleading Worlds in Florida 2014.
Aces – Future Cheer Nationals 2013
It came as a complete surprise to hear our name “Aviator Allstars Aces” called out as an at large bid winner! Everyone was ecstatic and ran to the stage to collect the certificate and have their photo taken!
This was such a testament to all the hard work; literally blood sweat and tears that these 17 amazing, dedicated athletes have put in this season. Congratulations Aces!
Aces – Future Cheer Nationals 2013
We would also like to congratulate Coventry Dynamites on their amazing routines this weekend!
Worlds 2014 – here we come!
JAMfest Europe is easily one of the most fun competitions of the season.
We took 4 teams to compete at the competition held at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on the 23rd June.
First on the floor, at the crack of dawn, was our Mini Level 1 team, the Harrier Jump Jets. The routine went well, with lots of energy and placed 4th in a tough division! This team has only 6 little ladies on (and were against teams with over 20 athletes), but they really held their own in their division with their skills and teamwork really showing on the mat. Congratulations HJJ!
Harrier Jump Jets – JAMfest Europe 2013
Skyhawks were next in one of the biggest divisions of the day, Senior Level 2. They hit their routine, pushing the top end of Level 2 skills with only a couple of very minor issues! They placed 4th – congratulations, what an achievement!
Skyhawks – JAMfest Europe 2013
Spitfires took to the floor next in the Senior Coed Level 4 division. They were determined to hit their routine clean and did a fantastic job, taking the 2ndplace trophy.
Spitfires – JAMfest Europe 2013
Last to represent the Aviator Program were Aces in the Senior Coed Level 5 division. They had limited training before this competition, with their focus on increasing their confidence in their routine and gaining experience performing it well at this competition. Although they couldn’t hear the start of the music (until it was turned up) they managed to pull the performance together and were awarded 1st place – congratulations on the National/European title!
Aces – JAMfest Europe 2013
All in all, a great day for the Aviator Allstars Program!
Saturday 23rd March 2013 saw the beginning of Aviator Allstars’ Nationals season as the program headed to Nottingham Ice Arena for the ICC British Open – a huge annual competition that Aviators have been attending since 2009. There was a lot riding on this competition – Aviator Aces, the newest AV team, were hungry for success and recognition within a very tough Senior Co-Ed Level 5 division. The Leeds Metropolitan team had so far gone unbeaten all season, and with a flawless routine, expectations were high in an extremely tough Senior Co-Ed Level 3 division littered with Allstar teams from reputable squads all over the country. Leeds University Celtics had taken a huge leap of faith for this competition, and in just two weeks had transformed their level 4 and level 2 routines into Open routines – Level 6. The atmosphere amongst the teams was palpable as they all prepared to take to the mat and show what they had been working so hard for.
Aviator Allstars Program ICC Nationals 2013 (Photos courtesy of Andy Brown)
The first team to take to the mat was Leeds Celtics co-ed. This team had so far this season gone undefeated and even picked up the Grand Champions trophy at Jamfest Northern – but that was at Level 4. The team had put in the hours, the blood, sweat and tears, to produce a very strong level 6 routine. It hadn’t been an easy ride – they’d lost people with other committments, people were injured, people were sick, yet they managed to pull together through all of this and represent their university and the AV program fantastically. The routine that Celtics Co-Ed competed on Saturday was a valiant effort but not without its flaws and every single member of that team came off that mat determined to produce their very best on Sunday. However, the team were very pleased to finish Saturday in 1st place in the University Co-Ed division, and a clean routine would be the icing on the cake to end their season in style.
Celtic Coed ICC Nationals 2013 (Photo courtesy of Andy Brown)
Second, it was the turn of the Celtics All-Girl team. This team, made up of mostly complete beginners to cheer, have had nothing short of a fairytale season in 2012-2013. Placing first in a mammoth 24 team division at Future Cheer University (Saturday Night Fever) competition, and placing second in a large All-Star division at Jamfest Northern, the team were extremely keen to emulate their previous success. The jump from level 2 to level 6 is nothing short of huge, and the team had put in all their efforts to produce a very credible level 6 routine, and couldn’t wait to compete it. Apart from a couple of pyramid issues, the girls did extremely well and definitely raised a few eyes! They finished Saturday in 3rd place – with 2nd place tantalisingly close, but also with 4th place nipping at their heels – so the pressure was on!
Celtic All Girl ICC Nationals 2013 (Photos courtesy of Andy Brown)
Carnegie Aviators were next to take the floor in the Senior Co-Ed 3 division. As usual, they produced a stellar, clean routine, performed to the max. These guys have worked incredibly hard to produce one of the cleanest routines around this season and they definitely did themselves, and the program, proud. They finished Saturday in a very respectable 4th place in such a large division, and had faith that another clean routine would secure them a top spot on Sunday.
Carnegie Aviators ICC Nationals 2013 (Photos courtesy of Andy Brown)
The anticipation when Aviator Aces opened the Senior Co-Ed 5 division was almost unbearable. The team had worked so hard to produce a routine with insane stunting skills, death defying pyramid transitions, and impressive tumbles. They did not disappoint. The team absolutely destroyed their incredibly skilled routine and came off feeling incredibly proud that they had proved they could hit a difficult routine. They placed in 4th on Saturday and this gave them a huge fire to ensure they hit just as clean, if not cleaner, on Sunday.
Aviator ACES ICC Nationals 2013 (Photo courtesy of Andy Brown)
Sunday rolled around, and AV rocked up at the Ice arena, tired, but oh so determined.
Celtics Co-Ed went out on the floor determined to hold on to that top spot. They produced a much cleaner routine, to the enjoyment of everyone watching. They quite rightly came off chuffed with themselves – proving their hard work and adversity had paid off! What an incredibly difficult and visually exciting level 6 pyramid, lib skills that some allstar teams would be envious of, and some extremely talented tumblers. They did Leeds University, and Aviator Allstars, proud.
Celtic Coed ICC Nationals 2013 (Photo courtesy of Andy Brown)
Celtics All-Girl followed not so long afterwards, proving to everyone that the previously little-known Level 2 team could indeed step it up and compete in Level 6! The crowd’s amazement at the three thigh stand towers, and the half-up A-frame, confirmed that the team had cemented their spot in University cheer history.
Celtic All Girl ICC Nationals 2013 (Photos courtesy of Andy Brown)
Carnegie Aviators didn’t disappoint once again, showing that determination, fire and passion for what they do best, and why they’re regarded as one of the strongest university cheerleading teams. The double cupie, the countless pyramid transitions and dismounts, and amazing dance turned more than a few heads!
Carnegie Aviators ICC Nationals 2013 (Photos courtesy of Andy Brown)
Finally, it was the turn of Aviator Aces. I’ve never seen a team more determined than these 17 people, who absolutely smashed their routine, with no drops, and cleanliness throughout. The skills alone were impressive enough – partner stunt ball-up stretches, 1.5 twist ups, tic tock sequences, double fulls, a five-whip jump with a tuck, and the famous hand-in-hands to open the pyramid. Absolutely breathtaking. These guys, rightly so, exited the floor with their heads held high, and their last voiceover ringing in everyone’s head – “You wanna be on Aces!”
Aviator ACES ICC Nationals 2013 (Photo courtesy of Andy Brown)
Results time had rolled around and everyone could feel the nerves.
Carnegie were announced, and they had finished in 4th place. This is an incredible achievement for a university team in a National Allstar division!
Next it was time for the University division. Celtics Co-Ed had managed not only to hold on to their top spot, but picked up the Grand Champions trophy! A massive achievement.
Celtics All-Girl were elated to have jumped UP a place and finished in 2nd place. What an astounding victory for this team, who finished higher than some university teams who normally compete at a much higher level than them!
Aviator Aces finished in 4th Place. The team were extremely proud with the knowledge that they had produced a clean, skilled routine, and had more than done the program proud.
Well done to ALL Aviator teams who performed at this competition – you were all fantastic, and proved why we’re Flying High Forever. Well done to all of the coaches, especially Head Coaches Tim and Rachel who put in so much time and effort to ensure that your routines are ready for such a prestigious competition. We are so proud of you all!!
– Kelly Loughlin
This gallery contains 34 photos.
Photos of Aviator Aces (Coed 5), Carnegie Aviators (Coed 3), Celtic Aviators All Girl (University All Girl 6) and Coed (University Coed 6) taken by our fantastic photographer Andy Brown.
Aviator Allstars are proud to announce that their 2013 Worlds representatives, the ladies of F35 Lightning’s All-Girl Level 6 team, will be running a special one-off fundraising camp to help them raise the costs to attend this prestigious trip of a lifetime – and you’re all invited!
Date: Saturday 26th January
Time: 10am-4pm
Price: £20 for the whole day
Place: Lower Westfield House, Broad Lane, Bramley, Leeds LS13 3HA
This camp will be run by the highly experienced Aviator Allstars coaches, and assisted by the Lightning ladies, many of whom are existing coaches within their local dance and cheer programs and can offer a high level of expertise.
It will cover elements of stunting, tumbling, jumps, stretching and conditioning and is looking to be an exciting fun day. Whether you’re a highly experienced cheerleader wanting to work on rewind technique and standing fulls, or just starting out and want to refine the basics, this camp has something for everyone.
Please register via info@AviatorAllstars.com
We hope to see you there!
#FullOutFierce
Don’t forget OPEN GYM is on TONIGHT from 7-9pm for just (£5).
This is a fantastic opportunity if you do not already have the skill set or if you do not have easy access to practice space. It is the perfect time to film your tryout video if you can not make the weekend.
Don’t miss out on your chance to meet the coaches and other athletes trying out as well as using the opportunity to prospect your journey to the gym.
Tryout videos are also dues today; please send them to info@aviatorallstars.com along with your tryout documents. If you need help with what to include just ask.
See you tonight!
Tryouts are TOMORROW! …Are you ready?
Tryout Checklist:
Ensure you have read the Tryout Pack, looked through the Schedule and read through the Tryout FAQ’s on our website.
Registration is open from 9am and will run a lot smoother if you have all your tryout documents ready. Remember to plan your journey in advance to avoid any unnecessary stress on the day. For help planning getting to the gym, see yesterday’s post.
Tryout LIVE streaming…
A friend suggested that we create a Google Event for our Tryouts this weekend, so we can get all the athletes and coaches attending to interact by sharing photos, videos and comments as well as networking.
I have to admit I didn’t know what a ‘Google Event’ was, until I googled it! But it’s actually very easy to use, all you need is a google account (most people already have a gmail or googlemail account. If you don’t you can sign up for a free account here) and a camera phone!
So anyone attending tryouts this weekend…
We want you to enhance your tryout experience by making it fun and interactive, so please help us to create a storyline of the weekend and share your experiences.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
More information about our tryouts can be found on our website: http://www.aviatorallstars.com/tryouts2012.php
Aviator Allstars 