A Bournemouth University student has helped make history at a major international cheerleading event.
Bournemouth University student Abbie Harrington performed as part of Team ParaCheer GB at the International Cheer Union World Championships in Orlando, marking the first time a fully Paralympic eligible team has taken part at the event.
The championships ran from 22 to 24 April and brought together thousands of competitors from dozens of countries, with Abbie and her teammates delivering 2 routines that received zero points deductions from the judges.
She said “to represent Britain on such a grand stage was incredible”, describing how the crowd “cheered us on the whole way” during their performances at cheerleading’s biggest annual competition.
The team represents a new step in the sport’s development, moving beyond adaptive abilities cheer, which combines disabled and non-disabled athletes, to a team where all members meet Paralympic eligibility criteria.
Abbie only began cheerleading less than a year ago after responding to a social media advert, and says support from her university sports scholarship has helped her build the strength needed to compete at this level.
She said training has focused on developing her core and upper body strength, alongside support with travel and equipment costs, allowing her to compete internationally and help raise funds for the team.
Team ParaCheer GB now hopes its performance will encourage more countries to form similar teams, with ambitions for the division to become competitive in future international events.