Amber, Mackenzie, Josie and Estella form a mini pyramid during a cheerleading class. Photo / supplied
Amber, Mackenzie, Josie and Estella form a mini pyramid during a cheerleading class. Photo / supplied
PHOTOS SUP080321NADlunge: Amber, Mackenzie, Josie and Estella form a mini pyramid during a cheerleading class. Photo / supplied
SUP080321NADangela: Angela Bradley pictured with Estella, Bahlee, Ariya and Leah, set up her cheerleading and gymnastics coaching business this year. Photo / supplied
SUP080321NADgroup: The Mangonui School Angel Athletics group is learningmany skills such as working together as a team. Photo / supplied
She helped coach her daughter to become a national tumbling champ and represent New Zealand overseas, now Angela Bradley wants to share her passion with the rest of the Far North.
Bradley, who works at Mangonui School, set up her business Angel Athletics in January, coaching girls in the art of cheerleading, gymnastics and tumbling.
The 37-year-old former Aucklander is also setting up a charitable trust to give all youth the opportunity of taking part in the sports by removing any financial barriers.
Her venture follows her decision to coach her daughter, Eleanor, who was a competitive cheerleader, gymnast and power tumbler from the age of 6 to 15.
Eleanor was the national champion for power tumbling in 2013, a silver medallist at the nationals in Auckland with the Northland team in 2014, and represented New Zealand at the Australian nationals in 2015.
Bradley decided to start coaching her daughter when they moved from Auckland to the Far North in 2014.
"With all the experience I gained watching her I decided to take on the coaching," she said.
"It's my joy, it doesn't even feel like a job.
"It's an artistic, beautiful sport that anyone can learn to do if they're willing to work hard."
Angela Bradley, pictured with Estella, Bahlee, Ariya and Leah, set up her cheerleading and gymnastics coaching business earlier this year. Photo / supplied
As well as lifts, pyramids, cartwheels, jumps and dance, children learn tumbling (acrobatic movements such as rolls, twists, handsprings, or somersaults on floor mats), gymnastics, showmanship, flexibility and working as part of a team.
Bradley has for the past three years been coaching the Mangonui School cheerleading team, which performs at the local Christmas in the Park and the Kaitāia Christmas Parade.
This year the school team has been split into three and renamed as the junior Minnows, the senior Mermaids, and the school's first competitive team, the Mantarays.
Bradley aims to introduce community classes outside school hours for others aged 3-17, from term 2.
Classes will be held in Taipa and Kaitāia at venues to be confirmed.
Bradley said she is passionate about bringing health and fitness to the youth in the community, and limiting financial barriers that stand in the way.
She hopes to have a charitable trust - where sponsors can fund a young athlete who might not have the opportunity to learn gymnastics or cheerleading due to finances – set up by the end of this year.
The Mangonui School Angel Athletics group are learning many skills such as working together as a team. Photo / supplied
Bradley said the sport "gets kids active and aiming higher".
"It really sets up a child for self-discipline, self-motivation, and always wanting to be their best," she said.
"It transitions into their schoolwork and into their lives. If they learn that in their competitive sport it trickles through into their life.
"That's why I wanted to start up the charity; it's expensive in New Zealand and the Far North is a lower socio-economic area. I want to be able to open it up through my business and the charity so more kids can get involved."
Bradley will also be selling active wear and cheerleading apparel from a website that is going live soon.
To contact her, check out Angel Athletics on Facebook.
