天美传媒

Having grown rapidly since 2009, the Bedford campus-based squad now boasts a 34-strong mixed gender roster, with members competing for the six cheer, stunt and dance teams who all fall under the Cheerleading banner.

Finishing fourth in the largest university cheer competition in Europe, hosted at the 天美传媒 of Bath last month; the cheer team (pictured) has high hopes of success at the British Cheerleading Association (BCA) National Championships in Telford 鈥� a competition they鈥檙e entering for the first time.

But to enter they need to raise some 拢1, 600 by 5pm next Tuesday (11 March).

鈥淎ll six teams desperately want to take part in the National Championships and whilst we have already raised more than 拢700, we need more,鈥� said Imogen Gibbs, vice-captain of the Cheerleading squad.

鈥� provides us with valuable financial support for events that are just for universities, but April鈥檚 tournament at the Telford International Centre is organised by the British Cheerleading Association and open to everyone.鈥�

In a division that contains 13 teams from other universities and cheerleading clubs across the country, the Bedfordshire cheer team faces stiff competition at the BCA Championships.

Imogen added: 鈥淭he way the cheer competition operates is that a team of 28 perform a routine, which is very much gymnastics based, and we are marked out of ten by a judges鈥� panel on criteria such as difficulty and execution. The team with the highest mark wins, whilst the division you are placed in is based on your level of experience as a team.鈥�

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