“As I did it, I fell in love with it,” is how Aidan Annandale describes his love for cheerleading, a growing sport in South Africa.
Now Aidan has a chance to represent the national team in America but needs R43 000 to get there. He is asking the community for assistance. His journey in cheerleading started two years ago in high school, on the hockey field during a training session when he was distracted by the cheerleading team practicing their routine. He was instantly fascinated by the routines and has never looked back, opting to drop hockey in favour of becoming the base in the cheerleading team. The base is the cheerleader on the bottom of a pyramid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ7NwAcrUiM&feature=youtu.be
“For me it was the adrenaline rush. Cheerleading is more than just a sport, it’s a lifestyle. Back then there was a fear of being teased but that is because of ignorance and not knowing what it’s about,” he said.
Since then, Aidan has participated in various competitions with his school (Hoërskool Noordheuwel) and has qualifyed for the Gauteng team and participated in the South African Majorette and Cheerleading Association (SAMCA). With an ambition to represent his country, Aidan competed in the South African trials. A competitive spirit and hard work from Aidan impressed the adjudicators and he was selected to be part of the national team that will be heading to Orlando in the United States of America. He will be participating in the ICU and IASF Worlds Competition taking place in April. This international event brings together more than 9 000 cheerleaders and 3 500 dance athletes to vie for world champion titles in senior and international club divisions and categories.
“It will mean so much to me because the experience will be life-changing. With the help of the community, my dream will come true and I will be able to step onto the biggest cheerleading stage,” he said.
For more information on how to help Aidan, contact Nicky Annandale on 079 336 7173 or visit https://www.facebook.com/AidanCheer/
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