A CHEERLEADING team from Okehampton have been crowned world champions after competing at a competition in Orlando. 

A group of cheerleaders have returned champions after competing at the AllStars Cheerleading World Championships this week.  

Brooke, Immy and Poppy are all a part of the Starts Elite Dance and Cheer team based in Okehampton. However, the trio have also earned their place on the MOB Adaptive Ability World Championship Cheerleading team. 

This team is a unified group and is made up of disabled and non-disabled athletes and the routines are adapted to be fully inclusive. 

Working with this group, the three locals bagged themselves a ticket to the cheerleading world championships in Orlando, Florida.  

The event brings together the best of the best from the cheerleading world, for four days of high-level competition.  

2024’s competition featured more than 1,500 teams, 24,000 athletes, 3,000 coaches, with each competing in 558 programmes.  

If this wasn’t enough pressure, each year the competition attracts more than 50,000 spectators, so it’s safe to say it’s a big deal.  

Bringing together the best of the best, the trio worked hard, training across the South West in order to secure their place.  

Sarah Hallet, who accompanied the trio, told the Post: “Not only is this amazing for Girls in Sport, but also fully inclusive of all. The girls were training up to five days a week, from Okehampton, to Collumpton to Bristol.”  

After making their way across the pond, along with their team, Brooke, Immy and Poppy took to the stage to display their skills, competing in the ‘Youth Kick’ category, MOB Adaptive Ability proved that the South West can perform with the very best, as they were crowned champions in the class.  

Sarah continued: Then Stars Elite Cheer and Dance submitted a separate team, “South West Cheer” - coach Imogen had Brooke, Poppy, Evie, Lissy, Annaliece and Alexandra entered in the Junior Level 1 division. Sadly, this group did not make it through to the finals Finally, we had Brooke, Evie, Lissy, Alexandra and Mimi enter the youth kick dance division and they came first, becoming world champions.” 

Since their return, emotions have been high and there have been plenty of celebrations, including a surprise party for the world champions.  

A spokesperson for the club said: “We would like to say our biggest thank you to Imogen Spooncer! 

“Without her hard work, dedication, none of the girls would have got where there are today.  

“The word “no” just isn’t in her vocabulary and he unwavering belief in her team is incredible. 

“Immy - you are amazing! The girls love you and you are the best coach. Thank you to you and Adam for giving up so much for us.”