Manchester Diamonds Cheerleading Squad CIC aims to improve the wellbeing health, fitness and confidence of all members, all of whom are encouraged to shine as individuals but also to build team spirit and achieve as a team.
The Manchester Diamonds Cheerleading Squad CIC aims to develop health and fitness, team spirit, new skills and good behaviour through cheerleading.
Manchester Diamonds was set up as an unincorporated community group in 2006 by Coach Sara Ashpital, at first just cheering for fun and spending time at local events but the squad doubled in size and by November 2006 there were 45 members and some were ready for the first competition. The year 2007 was busy for Diamonds with 3 competitions and 2 festivals and the squad went from strength to strength. The squad was then split into 3 teams by age and there were 4 different practices a week.
The year 2008 was another busy year with nationals, community
nationals, street cheer and northern competitions. Diamonds
were also requested for performances at 3 local festivals. By then we
had a squad in Belle Vue, 3 in Moston, and a Mum's squad. There is
also a school squad which meant that by 2008 there were 10 different classes a week
reaching around 120 cheerleaders. Sara even won the National Street Cheer Coach of the Year Award. We now practise in Our Lady's Sports College in Blackley. As the squad is now much bigger and demanding a bigger management team, when Sara found out she was expecting a baby in February she took steps to convert the Diamonds into an Incorporated group, and has now set up Manchester Diamonds cheerleading Squad CIC, a Company Limited by guarantee and a social enterprise run by 3 directors and a small but dedicated committee. Lorielle, Tina and Donna are now coaching the squad, and took them to the UKCA Nationals in March 2009 National competition, where the teams came away with several trophies and awards, and when Junior B's qualified for European Cheerleading championships, Nykoping, Sweden 2009, worked tirelessly with a group of volunteer helpers to raise funds so that the team could get to Sweden with the best chance possible. Please contact us if you would like to help us in any way. In the interests of safeguarding our teams, all our volunteers require CRB checks and references, and to fill in application forms for the volunteer roles.
Nearly all squads are at maximum capacity. There is a waiting list reviewed regularly to fill the squad as cheerleaders move on, and the list is used to set up additional sessions where possible. A Seniors Group (16+) started in the Summer 2009. To add your details to the waiting list or to ask us a question Click here (Name of parent, name of child, DoB, address, phone, mobile, experience in dance, cheer or gymnastics.)
Manchester Diamonds Cheerleading Squad teaches two separate types of class for each age range.
In this class the members learn jumps, leaps, turns, and splits technique and also all the arm motions and basic dance skills needed for cheer and pom routines. Cheerleaders gain confidence in performing but also have fun. A typical class is warm up and stretch, followed by drills and technique practice, work on a pom routine then finish off with circle time to show off their skills.
This class works on strength and technique in gymnastics. The cheerleaders learn everything from forward rolls and cartwheels through to flips and walkovers to use in cheer routines, they work on vocal skills by playing cheering games and making up chants for routines. The main element of the class is using their strengths for stunts and pyramids. These are taught step by step to ensure safety. Stunts involve teamwork, lifting, throwing, catching, holding and linking together.
Glosupplies Limited (Office Supplies, Printer Cartridges and Stationery) has sponsored our web domains and web design and web hosting in 2008 and 2009
Thank you so much to Glosupplies for your support.
We now have many other opportunities for sponsorship, as we are raising funds for coaching courses for our squad members aged 14 and over, and courses to develop mums who would like to take an active role in running the squad. Please call 07764 821521 or email barbara@manchesterdiamonds.org.uk for details
Pictured above is our fabulous champion Teenies Squad who came first in their category in National championships in 2009 and reached the Semi-Finals of a local talent show in Friday 1st May.
If you would like to support us by donating to our running costs, please click on the "donate" button below (Secure payment via credit card/Paypal)
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May 2010
UKCA Community Championships
3rd place teenie
5th place junior B
UKCA Club Championships
6th place junior A
3rd place junior B
3rd place seniors
March 2010
5th place Junior B Cheer Dance
November 2009
3rd place Senior Cheerleading
5th place Peewee Level2 Cheerleading
3rd place Peewee Level1 Cheerleading
6th place Prep solo Tiana
1st place Junior solo Zanele
July 2009
ECA European Cheerleading championships, Sweden 2009
6th Place Junior Cheer Mixed
May 2009
UKCA Club Championships 2009
4th place Junior Stunt Group
March 2009
UKCA Nationals 2009
1st place Teenie cheer dance
2nd place Junior b co-ed cheer
2nd place Teenie cheer
3rd place Junior a cheer dance
5th place Junior a cheer
5th place Junior b cheer dance
6th place Teenie pom dance
7th place Junior a pom dance
11th place Junior b pom dance
AND Diamonds junior B qualified for ECC 2009 here
November 2008
IDTA northern classic results
November 2008
UKCA Street Cheer
March 2008 Stockport cheer competition Winners! 1st place (joint)
April 2007 National Schools Championships Winners 1st place in pom dance
March 2007 Stockport cheer competition Winners! 1st place
March 2007 National Cheerleading Championships Teenie individuals 5th place Junior A individuals 10th place, Teenie stunt 1st place Junior A co-ed stunt group 1st place
So we are the current champions in Junior Novice, Peewee pom, Teenie stunt and Junior A co-ed stunt!!!
Also coached by Sara are the Stockport Sapphires
November 2007 IDTA Northern Competition Prep cheer 3rd, peewee novice cheer 3rd, junior novice cheer 1st, peewee pom dance 1st
July 2007 Queens Park Festival
June 2007 Crumpsall park festival
April 2007 National Community Championships Teenie cheer 2nd place, Teenie Pom 10th place
Junior A Cheer 17th place, pom 13th place Junior B cheer 5th place, pom 9th place
March 2007 National Cheerleading Championships Junior A individuals 5th place, Junior B stunt group 8th place
November 2006 IDTA Northern Competition Prep quad 6th, pom dance 3rd
July 2006 Queens Park Festival
June 2006 Crumpsall Park Festival