Hey guys,
All this week we will be talking to different university cheerleading team about what cheer is like at their university and why you should join their team asap.
The first team we interview is EUCC Vixens
Hi EUCC Vixens
HI CFHTT
- Tell us about EUCC Vixens Cheerleaders cheer history.”
EUCC Vixens was formed as a University of Edinburgh society in 2004. We gained sports club status and joined the Sports Union in 2012.
We achieved our first BCA 1st place at nationals in 2013 and traveled to Disneyland to compete with Future Cheer in 2014 where we were also given the opportunity to open the Disneyland Paris Parade! In 2015 we won our first Grand Championship title at the Future Cheer University Nationals, and gained a second at BCA University Nationals the same year. 2016 was our most successful year to date as we made British Cheerleading history, achieving Grand Championship titles in Cheer, Stunt and Dance.
- “How many teams do you have and what does each team do?”
We have 3 competitive and 1 non competitive teams within our club. Our competitive cheerleading team trains twice a week and attends national competitions 2-3 times a year. The cheer team competes as a full squad at All Girl Level 2 and in Stunt Groups at Level 2, 3 and 4.
We have two competitive dance teams who also train twice a week and attend the same national competitions as our cheerleading team. We have one hip-hop squad and one pom squad.
Our non competitive team is a performance cheerleading team who take part in varsity and other performances and events throughout the academic year. They train once a week and perform at Level 2.
- How many hour a week do you train?
Our competitive cheer team trains for 4 hrs a week, with those competing in individual stunt groups training for an additional hour.
Our dance squads each train for 2 hrs each a week and our performance cheer squad trains for 3 hrs a week. This means our captains, and some members who are in all teams, are in the gym for around 12 hrs a week!
- Last year your team made history at BCA by being the first ever University team to win all 3 Grand Championship Titles at the University Nationals (Cheer, Group Stunt and Dance!) What did that mean to you? J
Winning all three titles was an amazing experience, we feel like all the hard work we put in throughout the year really paid of that weekend and these titles really recognised that. Being able to publicise these great achievements has really helped us improve the standing of our sport within the University and Scotland as a whole and we are very happy to be helping improve the recognition of the sport.
As a self-funded club, we depend on our own student members to coach our teams, raise money and manage the overall running of the club. It was great to be able to win these titles as reward for all the hard work these individuals put into the success of the club.
- What was your biggest achievement last season?
We believe one of the biggest achievements of our last season was the accomplishments of our dance squad. We have won national and grand championship titles for cheer before but last year was the first year we received any of these titles for dance.It really solidified the dance team as part of our club and it was great that they could enjoy the success that other parts of our club have had before.
- How do you decide what competition you are going to attend?
We like to attend competitions which are likely to have a large turnout of other squads so we can ensure high levels of competition as this pushes us to compete at our very best.
- “What was your favourite cheerleading competition of the past season?”
Our favourite competition of last season was BCA nationals because it was the first time we have secured a grand championship title against non university teams and this was a huge achievement for our squad. Although, we did love the backpacks we got from Future Cheer.
- What are your goals for the coming season
Our goals for the next season are to push the team to its highest and max out on what we can do. We want to hit a clean routine on the mat and know we gave our best. We hope to continue to grow our club, again increasing the awareness of our performance squad and really pushing this squad to see what they can achieve.
- It’s that time of year where you guys will be recruiting what you are looking for from student?
We look for students who are willing to work hard and commit to the club. We train very hard, but we also spend a lot of time together outside of the gym so its very important to us that we have a good team spirit. We train from the ground up in September, so experience isn’t necessary. We just want people who are willing to give it their all!
- Why should people join EUCC Vixen Cheerleaders?”
We find that the word cheerleading can still have some negative or incorrect connotations and that people don’t always realise how athletic and challenging the sport really is.
People should join EUCC Vixens if they want a chance to push themselves, be part of a great and supportive team environment, compete at a national level and be surrounded by hardworking and inspirational girls.
- “What useful skills has cheerleading taught you?”
Cheerleading obviously teaches you a lot about teamwork but it especially teaches you how to work hard as an individual for the benefits of the overall team. Our success has shown us that if you really commit to something and give it your all you will reap the benefits at the end. Our team is very supportive and really know how to encourage each other when we need it, in practice and outside the gym.
- “Are there any transferable skills that you have learnt from cheer that you can use later on in life?”
Cheerleading whilst at university really teaches us how to time manage effectively and work efficiently. We train a lot throughout the week, often have socials and fundraisers at the weekend and have challenging degrees to complete. It also teaches us to push through personal setbacks for the benefit of yourself and the team.
- What would your lives be without cheer?
Our lives at university would be completely different without cheer as a lot of our strongest friendship networks have been made through the club. Training is a great way to de stress from university and really helps us clear our minds after a long day in the library.
- What kind of social do you guys do, if any?
As we have lots of squads within the one club, we do a lot of socials to give everyone an opportunity to get to know each other. We also collaborate with other sports teams for socials so we get to know the wider sports network at UOE.
We hold ceilidhs, Christmas dinners and pub quizzes throughout the year. We also have a lot of chilled socials and there’s always a few opportunities to get dressed up. We have two new social sponsors for the upcoming year, Stramash and Floorplay Events so if you’re ever looking for the vixens on a Wednesday night that’s where we will be!
- “Do you guys use social media platforms?”
We LOVE social media. We use Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. We love documenting our time on the squad and sharing what we are up to with everyone! We can be found everywhere @ EUCC Vixen
Lastly what is your favourite UK Cheer team (apart from your team) and your favourite International cheer team and why?
Our favourite UK cheer team is Unity Ruby. They are another fierce all girl team and are the new squad of our old captain Bryony!
Lots of people on the team have different favourite international teams and we could never pick just one!
To find out more information about their taster session please click the link below
Until next time guys
love CFHTT
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