Is their cheerleading in Scotland?

The roots of Scottish cheerleading trace back to the 1990s when numerous Scottish coaches, who had previously cheered professionally with the Scottish Claymore in the NFL Europe, began establishing cheer clubs. These clubs emerged as a means to support local American football teams, with children actively participating during games.

But first a quick introduction who is Cheer From Head To Toe

Cheer From Head To Toe (CFHTT) was born out of a need to address the inadequate representation of the UK cheer community online. Over the years, our platform has transformed into a comprehensive resource dedicated to empowering and educating athletes, cheer dancers, coaches, cheer parents, and anyone eager to accelerate their learning and excel in this dynamic sport. If you want to learn more about UK cheerleading make sure you subscribe to a newsletter

One noteworthy figure in the history of Scottish Cheerleading  is Steve Walls, who, was  amateur American Football in Dundee, alongside his wife Jo, initiated a cheer club to bolster the spirit of the football team.

Inspired by competitions witnessed in England, Steve took the initiative to organise a competition in Scotland, leading to the inception of Scotcheer at the DISC Centre in Dundee in 1999. Since its beginning, the cheer and dance culture in Scotland has flourished, evolving dynamically over the years.

Recognizing the growing need for a governing body in Scotland, Sport Cheer Scotland (SCS) was established in July 2018, filling a significant void in the Scottish cheerleading landscape. With invaluable assistance from the International Cheer Union (ICU), SCS was set up to provide structure and oversight to the burgeoning sport.

Today, SCS boasts a diverse array of national teams and doubles, encompassing cheer, pom, hip-hop, and jazz disciplines. Remarkably, Team Scotland has been a consistent contender at the World Championships since 2007, achieving remarkable success, including a gold medal in the pom doubles division in 2012. The Scottish presence in various team divisions has been significant, with commendable placements over the years.

The 2022-23 season has brought Team Scotland the biggest team yet with Scotland represented in 12 divisions at the ICU World Championships with a mixture of unified teams and bids for Allstar teams.  

Unified Adaptive Abilities Unified Freestyle Pom – 1st

Unified Youth Team Hip Hop – 4th

Allstar Bid (Champion Dance & Cheer) Junior Team Freestyle Pom – 4th

Allstar Bid (Firebird) Senior Team Jazz – 4th

Unified Youth Team Freestyle Pom – 5th

Allstar bid (Phoenix Flames Cheerleaders) Junior Team Hip Hop – 9th

Unified Senior All Girl Elite Cheer – 9th

Unified Senior Team Freestyle Pom – 9th

Unified Youth All Girl Median Cheer – 10th

Allstar bid (Firebird) Senior Doubles Hip Hop – 11th

Allstar bid (Rockstar) Senior Doubles Freestyle Pom – 13th

One of the most remarkable aspects of Scottish cheer and dance is its global recognition, with both national and club teams being celebrated for their excellence.

Despite the challenges posed by Scotland’s size, the country has nurtured world-class talent, thanks to the dedication and passion of its coaches at the grassroots level.

Beyond the competitive realm, Scottish cheerleading and dance thrive as vibrant community activities, with programs spanning across the country, from the borders to the islands. Pom dance, in particular, enjoys immense popularity, often featuring large divisions in Scottish competitions.

In honouring the legacy of Steve Walls, whose contributions have been instrumental in shaping the Scottish cheer and dance scene, various tributes are paid. From embroidered initials on national team uniforms to the lion rampant flag adorning jackets, Steve’s influence is palpable. The annual Steve Walls Award for Veteran of the Year serves as a testament to his enduring impact, recognizing athletes who embody the leadership and determination synonymous with Steve’s spirit.

These initiatives not only commemorate a pioneer but also underscore the resilience and camaraderie that define Scottish cheerleading and dance, ensuring its continued growth and success for generations to come.

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