Name: Molly
Age: 30
Team: Team England AAA and Phoenix All-stars
Position: Coach
Instagram name: @mjcheer_

Which team are you a part of or have you been previously a part of? – I coach for Phoenix All-stars and Team England AAA

How many years have you been involved in Cheer? – 12 Years

Have you been to Worlds before? – No, first time!

What’s your favourite coaching memory so far? – Outside of being selected for Team England, My Senior 1 team taking first place at FC Internationals 2022

Favourite skills to teach e.g. cheer stunt, tumble or dance move – Because of my gymnastics background I love coaching tumble

What does Adaptive Abilities Cheerleading mean for you? – AA Cheer is a great opportunity to be fully inclusive and allow all athletes no matter what their situation to participate. I’m forever in awe of some of the athletes I see that without AA Cheer would never have the opportunities they do now.

How did you get involved in Adaptive Abilities Cheer? – I joined the Phoenix Allstars coaching team in 2019 who already had an AA team. I helped out on a few occasions and actually stepped in as an athlete when they were a flyer down. I absolutely loved coaching it and the following season asked if I could take over the team.

Are there any stunts/technique or training adaptations you make which you find especially interesting?

Everything about coaching AA Cheer is interesting. I really have to think about the way that I coach and the way I approach both training and routines to ensure I stay inclusive to all.

Why did you want to apply to coach this team? – I have coached the AA side of the Phoenix programme since 2019 and loved being a part of helping it grow. When we were chosen to represent Team England AAA this season I begged to be a part of the coaching team alongside our club owners Miranda and Emma.

I wanted the opportunity to be a part of this amazing journey and provide a once in a lifetime experience for our athletes.

Your favourite memory from being a part of Team England AAA (So far!) – Having the whole team together for the first time with the amazing Paige from Next Level was a great experience. Seeing the potential and the talent on the team made it all feel real.

What will you miss about Team England AAA and why? – I will miss seeing this crazy, talented, motivated athletes all together every week

What does it mean to you to represent your country? – It means everything to me. I’m an athlete with a disability myself, and I have so much respect and amazement at the amazing athletes we have on this team. To get to see them experience this once in a lifetime opportunity and realise their dreams is really the pinnacle of my Cheer career.

What does Worlds mean to you? – Worlds is the top tier of any Cheerleader or Coach. As there are no AA categories at IASF or Summit (yet!) This is the only opportunity for AA teams to really show what they can do internationally. To get to do this while representing our country is just amazing.

What are you most excited to experience at Worlds 2023 other than seeing the team compete? – I’m excited for the cultural exchange, and to meet all the teams from around the world

Name a team from the United Kingdom and internationally that you are most excited to watch and explain why? – I can’t wait to see the other AA teams from the UK and see what they achieve! Internationally, it has to be Team Jamaica. I’ve always loved watching them.

Are there any other AA teams you’re excited to watch? – I’m excited to see all of them, it’s an amazing category to be a part of.

Name a quote that keeps you motivated – The only one who can tell you ‘you can’t win’ is you, and you don’t have to listen

Share something that makes you happy – Getting to see the athletes I’ve helped develop go out and achieve their dreams

What advice would you give to someone who was scared to try-out for Team England this year? – If you’re interested, definitely go for it! Our try-outs were a relaxed, informal session where athletes could show what they could do.

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