Cheering To Success
Oxford Sirens celebrate victory.
The hitherto little-known Oxford Sirens, the university’s own cheerleading squad, raised their profile significantly during the Easter vac. After cheering Oxford to victory at the Varsity boat race they gained second place in their division at the British Cheerleading Association University Championships in Reading. Twenty-three cheerleading squads from universities across the country took part in the prestigious competition in cheer and dance divisions for squads of various sizes and levels.
Despite being one of the newest squads to take part, the Oxford team had trained hard for the event, with gruelling 7am training sessions at the end of Hilary Term. The Sirens came second out of five in the large squad dance division, beaten only by the experienced Southampton Vixens.
Though well prepared for the event, the squad was disadvantaged by the surprise departure of one key member just days before the competition, and suffered further misfortune when they lost a second member of the squad with a broken foot. Incredibly, another injured cheerleader Lydia Tanner saved the day by taking part despite doctor’s orders.
The Sirens’ success was a fantastic send-off for the squad’s founders, president Christie Smith of Queen’s and vice-president Beth Shackleton of Magdalen. New President Amy Royce- Greensill of Univ is optimistic about the club’s future. The girls have a busy term of cheering ahead of them, starting with the National Ultimate Frisbee Tournament to be held in Oxford on Sunday of second week.
Despite only recently celebrating their first birthday, we can expect the Sirens to be wowing crowds at sporting events for many years.
28th Apr 2005