Isn’t that the sport where you stand on the sidelines, dance around and cheer with your pom-poms when the football players score? How often have I heard this phrase - and I am quite new to this sport. Followed by "That is not a real sport !", "Are you sure you can lift that ?" and "You are just shaking your hips"…

No, we do not.

My cheer team of about 20 GIRLS competes in senior all girl level 4. We also have a Pewee team (which are the smallest) and our Junior team. We build pyramids and stunts, do tumbling and jumps. There are different positions in cheerleading. The bases are the ‘main supports’ of the stunt. The backspot fixes the stunt from behind and the flyer is thrown into the air. However, a stunt only works if everyone communicates and coordinates with each other. Our golden rule is: Never let the flyer touch the ground!

Last year I stood on the mat for the first time at a cheer competition and it was overwhelming. I have never experienced anything more difficult, anything more stressful or anything more amazing than that. It is a 2:30 minute routine that you have rehearsed for months, and those few minutes seem like an eternity.

It is not always easy, especially with all these clichés, but whenever I'm sad or not feeling well, I think of the training days. Three times a week, two hours of full concentration, body tension and fun. That is what I most like about this sport, you always push yourself to the limit.

I would say it is one of the most dangerous and stressful sports, but at the same time one of the most powerful and beautiful sports. Team spirit and trust characterise this sport.