Coaching
The Coaches
All our cheer coaches are fully qualified with UKCA and fully insured through British Gymnastics. All have an up to date CRB check and First Aid certificates.
Vicky Smith
Vicky has also been a Rising Star for over 11 years, and after training in America over summer, she has a wealth of knowledge to pass on to the younger stars. Vicky unfortunatley doesn't compete with the national team anymore due to a recurring knee injury but has become the youngest member of the masters team not only competing with the team but coaching it aswell. Vicky is great at supporting the team at all events as well as helping with all the background stuff.
Carly Cheetham
Carly has also been a Rising Star for over 11 years and is full time employed with the programme doing both coaching and admin. She still competes with the team in cheer at both National and European level and has a passion for stunting - she aspires to take the team to new heights at this years nationals (just watch this space). Carly has competed as part of Team UK 3 times and was asked to captain the co-ed squad in Japan.
Rachael Burrows
Rachael has been with the squad for nearly 3 years, she joined us to help with conditioning and gymnastics. She was a cheerleader in Canada whilst at university so is always coming up with new ideas for the squad to try. She regained her title this year at the UKCA nationals as senior individual champion and went onto to europe to take the bronze medal again (well done rach). Rachael is a talented all round gymnast and cheerleader and has our flyers doing fantastic twists from stunts - she is definately an asset to the squad.
Alex Taylor
Aswell as training as a rhythemic gymnast and a dancer Alex has been with the squad as a cheerleader since she was six years old so has alot of experience when it comes to cheerleading especially in dance. Alex became a qualified coach at 17 and has now started to help coach the dance side of the programme. She has competed and won many national titles and will be taking part in the Cheerleading World Championships this year in Orlando.
Amy Taylor
Amy has also been with the squad since she was six years old and has been assisting in classes for many years now. She became a qualified coach at 17 and was asked if she too would like to help coach the dance side at Stars. Between them Alex and Amy come up with some fabulous routines which we are looking forward to seeing at this years nationals. Amy is also taking part in the Cheerleading World Championships this year in Orlando.
Adam Coogans
Adam is the newest member of the coaching team and joined us at the end of September 2008. Adam is a highly qualified gymnastics coach and runs our new tumbling class on a Sunday. The girls have instantly warmed to Adam and thouroughly enjoy his fun and exciting classes. Adam hasn't yet had any experience doing Cheerleading but just watch this space. Adam was out of action due to injury but is back now to run the tumbling class as normal.
Coaching Courses
Many of our own Stars are now qualified coaches if you are interested in taking a coaching course please speak to one of your coaches or visit the British Gymnastics website (links page) and look for courses under cheerleading. We aim to get as many of our squad members qualified in order to widen the knowledge that the team has and to enable the girls to coach their own teams.
