The first world cheerleading championships start this morning in Florida, and Team Canada has every intention of bringing it like it’s never been brought before.
The competition represents the latest step forward for a sport maligned by mean-girl stereotypes that participants say could not be further from the truth.
“Cheerleading is more than a couple of skinny girls wearing skirts and shaking pompoms,” said 24-year-old national team member Jon Cameron.
Canada is sending two “Elite Level 5” teams of 30 members each to the championships, one all-girl and the other co-ed. The event runs until tomorrow at Disney World in Orlando. It won’t be the first time most team members have competed State-side — almost all have travelled to the U.S. with club teams — but it will be their first time wearing the Maple Leaf.
