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| In this video interview with Annalise (and her trainer Nuria Novia) she tells us about her training regime and how she plans to take over from her fitness idol Adela Garcia! | |
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| - Routine round
(90 seconds). Attire: optional. Similar like in women’s fitness.
Should include strength and flexibility elements, with gymnastic,
acrobatic, dance and aerobic moves. Tempo, choreography and proper
technique are also important factors. Bronzers and other body cosmetics are not permitted. Info from femalemuscle.com |
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April 2011 Update
 click above pic to watch amazing routine! |
I didn't actually know what went on during a
cheerleading routine until I saw a video posted by Raechelle
Chase of her daughter Annaliese who was in the New Zealand
Team that won the recent World Cheerleading Champs in Anaheim
on 9 and 10 April. I thought cheerleading was just all about pom poms and shouting corny catch phrases but was I wrong! |
 Raechelle and her daring daughter Annaliese |
When I watched the video I was just blown away and astounded by what these teens did during their high energy routines. Tumbles, jumps, splits, lifts, you name it these fearless girls were doing it. Their at times dangerous routines obviously required hours of practice and I honestly don't know how Raechelle watches her daughter Annalise doing these moves with constant fear of her falling from great heights. I wondered just how much work was required to put the routine together so I've asked Raechelle Chase to write about the World Champs and what was required of Annaliese and the NZ team to reach the pinnacle of cheerleading. Raechelle will be making a stop at the Pittsburgh Pro in May on her way to reach her own pinnacle of Pro Figure competition at the Olympia in September. |
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" Annaliese started Cheerleading
with ‘All Star Cheerleaders’ when she was 7 years old. She
started in the team called ‘Junior Star Elite, she had a break from
cheerleading when we moved to Fiji for a while and moved into the
next team up which was on her return which was ‘The Angels’. |
| The Angels were a great team and were known to win almost all
their National and International competitions in NZ. They trained
twice a week, for an hour and a half each time. From there Annaliese was moved into the next team up ‘Spirits’ (level 3) but was quickly scouted to be a ‘flyer’ in the next team up which is a level 4 team ‘Stormz’. The girls in this team range from 11-15 years old. Annaliese is 11 years old so she is one of the younger girls in the team. She was totally happy about being recruited to this team, as it had been her dream for quite some time, she had written it down as one of her goals for the New Year. This also meant that her weekly practices would increase to Wednesdays & Friday 3 hours each practice so 6 hours total plus a 3 hour ‘Flyer Class on Saturdays.   As the World Cheerleading Competition in Anaheim drew closer, the ‘Spirits’ asked her if she could also be a flyer in their team so she agreed. This meant she now trained Tuesday 4-7pm, Wednesday 4:30-8:30pm, Thursday 4-7pm, Friday’s 4:30-8:30pm and for the final weeks leading into the competition she also trained on Sundays. Her dedication to her team and the sport I found totally inspiring. She never complained just got on with it, spending her lunch times at School catching up with home-work because she knew she didn’t have time to do it at home. The Competition ran over Saturday the 9th & Sunday the 10th of April along with thousands of teams from all over America. Stormz placed 2nd in level 4 and Spirits place 1st in level 3. They both competed with about 8 other teams in each level. So both placing’s were massive achievements especially since cheerleading is not such a big sport in NZ like it is in America.     It was a very emotional prize-giving, especially for the Stormz, who after the first day were only ranking in 6th place. They bought their A game on the 2nd day and managed to take out 2nd place. All the girls were crying including all the Mum’s and coaches. They had all worked so hard and it was such a proud moment for us to see them recognized for their dedication. I’m not sure that we would commit to 2 teams again but in the end it was an amazing achievement for her to place so well and to be part of such an incredible team of girls that all put 100% into their training. Cheerleading is ranked the 2nd most dangerous sport in America, interesting to think the cheerleaders on the side-line of a rugby game are more likely to be injure than the rugby players themselves! Annaliese plans to try out for the next team up on her return which is a level 5 team called ‘The Vipers’. She would be one of the youngest in this team but she is super talented so I have no doubt if she aims for this she will make it. This will mean she will be competing in Vegas at The World Cheerleading Champs next year! Raechelle Chase 15 April 2011 |
