A member DBCP’s Technical Team is set to take on America at its own sport – cheerleading.
Jade Sheppard (25), who is a member of Rotherham-based Trailblazer Allstars, is heading to Orlando with the team next spring, which will represent England in The Cheerleading Worlds.
More than 10,500 cheerleaders from more than 500 teams and 40 countries are expected to take part in the three-day event at Disney World from 23 – 25 April 2022.
Ranked tenth in the world, the Trailblazer Allstars Senior All Girl Level 7 team secured themselves a place in the international competition after successfully competing in the European Cheerleading Championship in Germany.
Jade explained: “The Cheerleading Worlds is a much higher level at the Worlds – you’re competing against the best of the best so it’s easy to feel the pressure. Last time we competed, we finished tenth out of the 25 teams and it was all about keeping positivity, motivating each other and being confident that our practice sessions prepared us well.”
Jade, who is based at DBCP’s Chesterfield office, is a ‘flyer’ with the Trailblazer Allstars. Flyers are the people you see being lifted or thrown in a stunt and it is a very physically demanding role.
She began her cheerleading journey at Wickersley School and Sports College age 14. She explained: “I got into cheerleading in the first place because I love learning new skills and the adrenaline rush of competing, but my favourite part of cheerleading is working as a team. We are a very close group and are all very supportive of each other, always pushing ourselves to be the best we can be.”
Jade joined DBCP, Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands’ leading provider of building control services earlier this year, and she has brought her cheerleading skills into the office. She said: “In Cheerleading we’re constantly communicating with each other to ensure we’re organised and that’s something I try to bring into the office at DBCP.”
The Trailblazer Allstars practice twice a week, with a few extra sessions as they approach competitions, and have their own training regimes to keep fit throughout the year.
Allstar cheerleading is now recognised as a sport and discussions are ongoing about introducing it to the Olympic Games. Jade added: “For now, Worlds is the highest level we can get to but the ultimate goal, hopefully, will be reaching the Olympics once Cheerleading is introduced.”
To read more about the Trailblazer Allstars and their achievements, please visit here.
For expert building control advice and guidance across Derbyshire, please get in touch with the DBCP team here or call 0333 880 2000.