CFHTT’s interview with Ryan Cleavers

Hi Ryan,

Hi CFHTT.

Why did you decided to join a cheerleading team , and what do you love about it

I first started coaching as I came from a gymnastics background, I was convinced into trying it and loved how different it was from anything else I had done before!

Ryan previously got accept to be on Cheer Athletics Wildcats but for unforeseen circumstance couldn’t be part of the team this season. In these questions he explains why he applied and what happen to cause him not to go.

 

Congratulation on becoming a Cheer Athletics Wildcats. What prompted you to apply for that team?

Thank you so much! It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for a while but wanted to make sure the time was right until I tried to make the team and luckily now I have its paid off!

What do you hope to learn from being a part of Cheer Athletics Wildcats –

The Cheer Athletics Program is one of the best in the world, I hope I can pick up the little tips and tricks of the trade in my time there and increase my knowledge as a cheerleading coach to then bring back to the UK and pass on.

What tips would you give to anyone who wishes to apply to be on a team like Cheer Athletics wildcats

Don’t be scared to try, keep pushing yourself, train hard and there is always a possibility it could happen. The athletes in the US are just like us in the UK added with that extra bit of drive.

It was very well know in the cheer community that you got onCheer Athletics Wildcats. Unfortunately you haven’t been able to join them this season. Please could you explain why you choose not to go and if you will try out again next season.

Receiving a place on CA Wildcats was such an achievement for me as it’s always been my dream team. In the sessions I did attend I learnt so much but complications delaying my visa and my first ever injury meant I decided to remain in the UK for this season. It seemed like the best thing to do with everything going on. They have said they would love for me to go back next year but who knows what meant to be! We shall see.

Your are back on Ignite this season. What goals have you set for your team and yourself.

Being back on Ignite after having those sessions at CA has made me so excited for the season ahead. Especially with attending the Allstars Games in Las Vegas as well as worlds. My goals are simply to try and better myself from last season and push the rest of my team mates to do the same!

Coventry Dynamite Ignite is a high profile team do you feel extra pressure whilst competing because of this

Not at all, I love competing and really wish we could do it more often in the UK!

Ignite have had great success last season, what hurdles have you had to over come

There are many hurdles we have had to overcome, practices are tough and situations arise that need to be sorted quickly, a prime example of many is worlds when we had to replace Chelsey due to injury 2 days before we competed!

Being on Ignite and running two business must be intense.

I would be lying if I said it wasn’t tough, but it’s so worth it and it keeps me busy! Power Nation is continuing to grow rapidly and at this point in the season we have over 40 team orders! Coaching at CD 3 nights a week means that some days are very long especially when your also trying to get in all the additional training 4/5 times a week outside the gym. Luckily I have a great business Partner (Sarah Biggs) an we have great staff working hard!

 What is a normal week schedule for you?

Always a busy one! Its pretty much the same day to day, into the office in the morning to return emails, complete designs and orders and make sure that everything is moving swiftly, around 4:30pm I head over to the gym and either start coaching or training until 10pm. Majority of weekends I try to relax and recover but additional sessions or sprung floor fittings/showcases can often take the weekend up! Despite it all I wouldn’t have it any other way!

You  attend worlds were you got a bronze medal and 5^th place trophy, can you describe that experience.

It was honestly the best feeling in the world, being able to compete for your country is such an honour and the bronze medal was just the icing on the cake, hopefully the start of much more success for Team England and UK Cheer.

Your back on Team England for another season, why did you try out again?

As soon as my decision was made about staying in the UK I immediately turned to Team England. It’s such a great opportunity, honour and experience to represent your country with some of the most talented athletes in the country. This year there is more talent than ever after our success with Bronze Medals in both categories last year. I think it’s too early to tell about gold or medalling but who knows.
Hopefully we can just top last year’s performance and then we know we have done our job!

What’s your favourite competition you have entered this season and why?

FC nationals is always my favourite competition with so many talented teams at this event and the crowd are incredible, worlds of course is always amazing but if I had to pick my favourite so far this season it would be FC Atlantis, it’s a smaller venue with some more local teams and we love putting on a show for those that attend!

How many years have you been a coach and what enticed you into coaching

This is my 4^th Year as a program director/coach, as I mentioned I have always been into sport and coaching, I coached gymnastics previously so it was great to continue this and pick up and expand my knowledge with stunting and other aspects of cheerleading.

What do you love most about coaching

Coaching has so many great values, the athletes you coach become like a second family and watching them grow and become a better athlete and person is so rewarding.

What is your favourite cheer memory ever

I would say it’s a choice between last year placing top 10 at worlds or this year with the 5^th place finish and obtaining that bronze medal with team England, something I shall never forget

Who has been your biggest influence in the Cheer community? –

I will always remember, as will many others, watching AEC Legacy a few years back, those athletes were such an inspiration with me being new to cheer, aside from AEC my own athletes as since becoming a coach they have pushed me to be the best I can be and to be a good role model.

Lastly what is your favourite UK Cheer team (apart from your team) and your favourite International cheer team and why? –

AEC & Crimson Heat are two teams I always want to watch, they have such precision in their routines its amazing! My favourite international team has always been Cheer Athletics Wildcats.

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If you want to follow Ryan on social media here are his links

Twitter – @Ryan_Cleaver

Instagram – @Ryan_Cleaver

love  CFHTT