Squad takes routine to the world

A group of Hamilton cheerleaders is set to take on the world at the USA All Star Championships in Anaheim, California next month.

Two coaches and 13 girls, aged 11-17, will fly out on March 25 to compete in the champs.

Head coach Tracy Hemingway said this was the first time a squad from the Hamilton All Star Xtreme franchise had been shoulder-tapped to compete at the champs.

Tracy said top American choreographer Matt Goto has been travelling to New Zealand to work with All Star Xtreme teams in Auckland and at cheer camps.

She said he'd extended an invitation to the Auckland squad to send a team and that snowballed to Hamilton sending a team.

"We held try-outs and 13 girls from our elite teams were selected to travel and compete," said Tracy.

"They will have a two-and-a-half minute routine to do tumbles, stunts, tosses, dance, jumps and pyramids. They'll go out there, do their routine, and be best they can and hopefully win gold."

Tracy said the girls will be up against teams from the United States and Canada in their draw.

"We've been doing a lot of fundraising but basically it's up to the girls and their parents to pay their way."

To donate to the squad's fundraising efforts, you can do so into the All Xtreme Fundraising account, 12 3454 0085364 51.