This season has been an extraordinary whirlwind of diamantés, bright red lipstick, sweat, energy and fight for stunts to say the least. Here, for the last time, is a summary of what us Firebirds have been up to right from competing to touring to what is in store (or should we say on mat) for the future Firebirds.

Nationals at Legacy Alpha & Omega

On the 18th of March, Ignite and Heatwave made their way to Resorts World Arena, Birmingham to compete in Alpha and Omega Nationals. Firebirds flocked around the university at a very early 3am some attending straight from the library while others slept in both hair and makeup. We were on the road up to Birmingham from London by 3:30am.

The journey was a blur but soon we and a few other teams were waiting at the arena. Once entering, excitement spread swiftly through the athletes as we all placed our bags in where our base for the day would be.

First to compete was Heatwave and off to warm up they went where they stretched and drilled their routine.

Before they knew it on the speakers “SGSU FIREBIRDS HEATWAVE” was being announced. The audience was a blend of coloured uniforms, cheerleaders and spectators.

Ignite standing out at the front ready to cheer their team mates on. Once the routine began energy bounced across the room heatwave were really vibing together and fighting for their stunts.

Tumbles were clean and controlled to perfection. Their pyramid remained solid whilst cheering filled the room.

Dance soon erupted on the floor and the chemistry of the team really came together. The different spacing displayed throughout whilst transitions remained clean and concise.

Heatwave had finished their last routine of the season. The audience applauded, whilst the team paused for a moment to take in the atmosphere in their finishing positions.

Up next was Ignite who were ushered to warm up which again flew by quickly. They huddled together before entering the floor “SGSU FIREBIRDS IGNITE” and on cue flooded onto the floor waving to the crowd.

Heatwave watched intently as Ignite went to their starting positions. The upgrades of main stunt were soon underway – THEY ALL HIT!

Flyers were turned inwards forming a circle, they could all see one another beaming from ear to ear.

Next jumps took place legs rebounded of the floor so quick if you blinked you would have missed it.

Soon pyramid was being held by the strength of the incredible bases and back spots. They were cheering so loud a wave of enthusiasm spread amongst the audience. Up next was dance which drew everyone’s eyes in. The fun Ignite was having on the floor was unbeatable. Soon the routine drew to a close and a heap of the team hugging in the middle of the floor was present.

Ignite came off the mat and were greeted by Heatwave hugs were shared and some tears shed among.

We as Firebirds had competed for the last time for season 2022-2023.

But it all was not over just yet… results were in.

The teams gathered on the mat for the last time in a circle which looked like an explosion of rhinestones, bows and bright green. Everyone linked hands, gripping tightly to their teammates in silence. “LEVEL ONE UNIVERSITY CO-ED FIRST PLACE GOES TO… SGSU FIREBIRDS HEATWAVE” the team jumped to their feet hugging and holding each other tightly – they had won!

“NEXT UP WE HAVE LEVEL 2 CO-ED NON-TUMBLING” was announced “AND IN FIRST PLACE… SGSU FIREBIRDS IGNITE.” The Firebirds had not only done it once, but they had done it twice. But that was not all, soon after Ignite was announced as GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. The Firebirds had really left their last competition of the season with multiple titles and successes!

Pom Achievements

Our first ever competitive pom team, Inferno, began an early season attending their first Showcase at Brunel University, in Uxbridge on the 28th of January. With a crazy start to the morning of missing costumes, injuries and fake tanning on the scene, Inferno came out on the floor for the first time with a bang! Whispers from the front of the audience of ‘Oh my!’ and ‘They’re so good!’ instilled the confidence they needed and deserved for their first competition.

From the start of 2023, Inferno trained hard with sessions running twice a week for a total of 6 hours! With the amazing teaching from our Pom coach Ellie Buck, and our external Pom Coach Laura Carlton, Inferno placed 3rd at Legacy Cheer and Dance in February! An incredible first achievement for St George’s Firebirds! This greatly motivated the team to push even harder at training to prepare for Nationals in Manchester.

After numerous changes to enhance their routine, Inferno put out one of their best performances at Future Cheer Nationals, bringing parents and coaches to tears. Inferno’s division had a whopping number of 21 teams where they placed 15th! After a long day of cheer and travelling at 4am, the team finished off the day with a heart-warming meal in Manchester central. It’s safe to say Inferno have set an incredibly high standard for our following pom teams in years to come!

Once again, a huge thank you to both Laura Carlton, and Ellie Buck who has now come to the end of her unstoppable Firebirds journey as a graduating Doctor!

Having completed almost every role in Cheer Committee over the past 6 years, you will be forever irreplaceable.

Good luck Dr Buck, we will miss you dearly.

What happens on tour stays on tour… but here is a little insight

:By Veronika

This year’s tour laid in the hand of our Tour Secretary Mae who had planned every last detail for the team. However, one thing about tour for the Firebirds – they never know where they are going until two days before!

Mae had managed to keep the location a secret. After many bribes and guessing from the team it was now the Wednesday before we jetted off to the unknown. We all sat in a lecture theatre, beverages in hand, all attempting to guess where it would be. Where would we end up? The room was a buzz of energy. Mae took her place at the front of the room where the PowerPoint she had carefully crafted began to roll. First up… our personalised tour names and profiles. Each member of the Firebirds on tour was given a nickname ranging from Dumpster Diver to Cheesy Access it was a great way for the team to get to know each other even more. Soon enough there was a world map on the screen, and everyone was asked to put a sticker on the location they thought we would be going to. There was a varied selection of stickers spread across the screen – we could be going anywhere! Balloons were handed out in which we had to pop which had the letters where we were going. As the balloons were popped letters began to appear: An A, oh another A, C, L, hmmm E, N, O, B and R. Firebirds frantically positioned the words on the floor. Where were we going… can you guess?

…BARCELONA!

Everyone was ecstatic with excitement.

At the early hour of 3am (a time the Firebirds know all too well after the recent competition) all gathered to get Ubers to the Airport ready for our flight from one city to another – the only difference the sun was shining in one!

The flight flew by, many Firebirds drifting in and out of sleep. Before we knew it, we were in the centre of Barcelona’s Placa Reial.

This is where we would be staying for two nights. Mae had done an incredible job. The sun soon shone through, and we all made our way (after dropping our bags off of course) to the beach. On the beach stunts were held, baskets thrown and even some massages by the locals were given! Everyone was so happy to be there. After we all went for food, some getting tapas while others got paella.

The next morning a scavenger hunt took place we had to attend all the following locations: Placa Reial, Mercado de La Boqueria, Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Casa Batllo and The Bunker (Bunkers del Carmel).

The challenge was set, and we all went off in our individual groups to take pictures of the locations. The day was full of giggles and great views of the city. Mae really had planned everything so perfectly. Many groups passed one another on the scavenger hunt and met for lunch – even some angry chefs were also met! Finally, we all gathered back at our hostel where we had been staying to each debrief on the eventful day we had had.

Soon enough we all went out for the evening, all of us managing to get the Metro back (despite having lost a debit card in the ticket machine!) The next day was a relaxing day, Firebirds flooded Barcelona on the hunt for various items from the market and tourist shops – we all wanted a souvenir to remember the holiday we spent together. On the way back home, memories were reminisced as we soon landed back in rainy London. The weekend had been the best and we had all the memories saved on a senior, Tiri’s digital camera! The photos were incredible and really summed up what a great time we had all had.

“”Our tour this year will be hard to top! Planned by our amazing tour sec Mae, the Firebirds took Barcelona by storm in our matching t-shirts, stunting on the beaches by day and partying by night. Our itinerary was jam packed with fun activities from scavenger hunts to bar crawls, there was never a dull moment.
It was so much fun having the Firebirds back together after such a successful season, with the team now being closer than ever it will be exciting to see what the next year has in store for us” – Simona

A huge thank you to Mae, who had intricately planned the trip, each event and ensured we all had an amazing time whilst also doing her finals. Mae has been an integral part of the Firebirds for many years now and will be leaving us this year as she has qualified – GO DR ALLEN! Thank you for always pushing us to work harder at training, for lifting spirits when there were down, for bringing enthusiasm to the team and for stepping up last minute and learning a routine two days before and winning – you are truly an inspiration. Congratulations Mae, we are going to miss you!

A few words from Coach Ellie…

This season a new team was born… that being my pom team Inferno! I have thoroughly loved bringing a new element to the Firebirds and coaching the talented hard-working athletes that made up the brand-new team – they have really all started this legacy! Watching them grow as a team has been a pleasure, from improving on flexibility to get those high kicks, forming clean transitions and to giving the amazing pom face. This season has been the most amazing journey.

I am so very grateful for each and every one of them for being part of my final Firebird season. They should be so proud of themselves and will always be my winners – coaching them is the biggest competition I could ever win.

Firebird love always to my Firebabies,
Coach Ellie

A few words from Coach Libby…

This season I have had the pleasure of coaching not only one but two cheer teams with St. George’s Firebirds! With big changes to the scoresheet and taking on two teams for the first time, I knew I had my work cut out for me. 

The University Coed 1 division is a division that is very familiar to Firebirds, having competed in it many times. This season, with the new scoresheet changes, I’ve seen this division really step it up a level! Our level 1 team Heatwave have really shown that our little University can not only hold its own in such a competitive division but take home a National Champion title! 

This year, we took the leap to create a level 2 team, which I have never coached before. Many of our athletes were completely new to level 2 and even new to cheerleading, yet they took on the challenge headfirst. This team has shown such resilience, trying all of my crazy ideas and taking on some massive changes to their routine (very last minute!). Ignite has consistently put out amazing routines this year, earning themselves a massively deserved national champion title in the University Coed Non-Tumbling 2 division, and Non-Tumble Grand Champions! 

My goal going into this season was to give my teams a routine that they can feel proud of and show off to their family and friends and provide a fun space for them to let off some steam after long days at university or placement. I have been absolutely blown away by the talent of our athletes across all teams this season, and I can very proudly say I have coached national champions! 

It has been an absolute pleasure being your coach for the past 3 years, but it is time for me to pass on the baton. I wish all the best to our incoming coaching team and committee, and I hope they have as great of an experience as I have. 

Your no.1 fan forever and always,

Assistant Coach Aurora

“This year I have had lots of fun as the team’s Assistant Coach. Next year I have many plans for the Firebirds set in place and can’t wait to teach new skills and get the team ready for comps and hit some zeros on mat. I am excited to see what new talent we get next year and hope we can make the new freshers feel as welcome as other freshers and I felt this year.” – Aurora

Until next season

So, with that season 2022-2023 draws to a close for us Firebirds. In this moment I want to say a huge thank you to each member of the Firebirds for always bringing their A-game, despite any situation thrown in their way.

For the members of the Firebird Committee for always paying attention to each small detail, acting upon it to support the team. Finally, a massive thank you to our supportive and talented coaches Ellie Buck, Libby Gooda and Naomi. This season’s successes could not have been achieved without all these core members that make us Firebirds a Family.

… and finally, to all you readers for keeping up with what us Firebirds have been up to over this season. You can continue to do so next season by following on our socials! (Instagram: @sgsucheerandgym)

Firebird Love Always,

Lily (President) and The Firebird Committee (2022-2023)

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