Whangarei's Fantasy Cheerlead-ing Team have moved on from being robbed of nearly $9000 and have thrown themselves up into a new league - although it wasn't easy to get there.
The team of 78, including coaches and spectators, almost missed the Down Under Spirit Championships after their Pacific Blue flight to
Australia was cancelled due to the volcanic ash cloud from South America.
However, through the adversity the Fantasy Cheerleading Teams took out titles in the youth level two, junior and senior level three divisions.
Fantasy Cheerleading coach Toni Wright says after the start to their trip they had all the girls cared about was being there.
"Trying to get 78 people on a flight is a nightmare. Especially when you have an ash cloud hanging over you. After everything that we'd gone through to get there I think the nerves had gone." "The girls' just got out there and did what they knew they could do."
The Fantasy Cheerleading Team also won the overall top score for the level two division and their senior level three team won the top score for the entire competition.
She says part of the team winning means they have the opportunity to compete at invitation only competitions in America and Australia.
Two years ago a mother involved with the team stole $8900 from them to fund her gambling habit - money raised to send the team to the competition they have just returned from.
Included in her sentence was an order to pay reparations, and she began paying these in February.
