New cheerleading squad looks for members

Brian Armstrong is leaping for joy about the new cheerleading academy. Photo/supplied

Brian Armstrong describes competitive cheerleading as a "two and a half minute adrenalin rush".

He should know, he's been cheerleading since he was 19 years old. And before that, he was a competitive gymnast in Auckland.

Now he's coach of a new cheerleading squad called Astro Cheer. He was approached to start the group by New Zealand Cheer Union.

Cheerleading is taking off in popularity around the world, Brian says.

"It's really good for people with a background in dance, aerobics or gymnastics." It's a also a fantastic team sport, he says.

Brian, 26, has coached in Auckland and Tauranga for almost a decade and is an international athlete. He recently returned from the 2017 All Star Games in Las Vegas in April, representing New Zealand with Auckland cheer troupe iCheer. They were fourth in level four up against multiple international teams.

Brian says Astro Cheer is for all ages and stages of fitness levels. He'd like to point out that boys are just as important as girls in a cheer team. "They're the muscle of the team," he says.

Brian was a gymnast for 17 years. "I wanted to try something new but similar ... what appealed to me about cheerleading was to test my tumbling limits. For some it's stunting, others for dance, I really wanted to improve my tumbling."

Astro Cheer will operate with coaches that are fully qualified in various levels in line with the international cheerleading requirements. They will train every Sunday from June 11 from 3.30pm-6.30pm at Impact Gymsport Academy on Macdonald St.

* Contact via website www.astrocheer.co.nz or email brian@astrocheer.co.nz for more information.