Hartlepool Hawks hope to swoop on cheerleading titles

The members of the Hartlepool Hawks cheerleading academy will represent the UK at the European Cheerleading Championships.

They will be held in Kopar in Slovenia on July 9 and July 10.

And today, Hawks founder Rebecca Taylor gave us an insight into her teams.

The junior level 5 stunt group called Fierce is one of two Hawks teams chosen to go to Slovenia.

The Hartlepool Hawks Movement – Youth level 2 cheer dance team – is the other to win the right to represent the UK.

This week we focus on the Fierce stunt group and next week it is the turn of the cheer dance team.

Two girls – Jessica Dodd and Kadie Bradly, both 11, are in both teams.

l Jessica attends Jesmond Gardens School and has been with the Hartlepool Hawks for around six years.

Rebecca said: “She is an amazing tumbler and dancer and an all-rounder in both teams. She is a hard worker as well and she trains for a lot of hours each week.”

l Kadie goes to Brougham Primary School in Hartlepool and has been with Rebecca and the Hawks for two years.

Rebecca said: “She is a beautiful flier, very hard working and a polite girl who is a pleasure to teach.”

l Ellie Lewis, 14, who is a student at Dyke House School. Another student who has been with the Hawks for two years.

Rebecca said: “She is a very good role model and very hard working.

“A lot of the other younger ones look up to her, and her strength is stunting.”

l Lauren May, 15, a student of the Manor Academy, and who has been coached at the Hawks for six years.

Rebecca said: “She is already training up to be a coach. She is an amazing tumbler and base, a hard worker and a really good role model.”

l Meghan Simpson, 14, from Dyke House School. She was praised by Rebecca for her “great team skills. Her role in the team is as a base. She is powerful and good at stunting.

“She is a very polite young lady and a hard worker.”

Watch out for a rundown on the members of the Hartlepool Hawks Movement – Youth level 2 cheer dance team – in next week’s Dance Fever.

In the meantime, Rebecca would love to hear from anyone who can help with the £8,000 cost of getting the Hawks to Slovenia.

Find out more about the academy at its Facebook page.