This year, Liverpool Regional High School (LRHS) got its own cheerleading team after at least 10 years of not having one, and South Queens Middle School (SQMS) came into its second year of competing in the sport.
Joanne Ozon, head coach for both teams, says this year marks a major growth in the sport, not just in Queens but also in Nova Scotia.
“It's just exploded this year,” she says.
Both teams competed in a regional competition in Windsor recently. SQMS ranked second out of two teams, however Ozon says the scores were very close.
LRHS got in third out of three teams. Ozon isn't worried however, she says the teams have made a lot of progress.
“I think this competition was an eye opener... they're good teams,” she says.
The LRHS team is just getting started and is competing at the beginner level for high school – level two. Ozon says despite having such a new team, the cheerleaders are finding their current level a bit too easy. Ozon is pleased with her team's progress and with the fact that they now have three young men on the team.
“They're bored with it because they're good,” says Ozon.
SQMS is also competing at level two, however Ozon says that is the only level for junior high this year, there are no teams competing above that. The middle school team has one boy and 19 girls.
This year, Liverpool Regional High School (LRHS) got its own cheerleading team after at least 10 years of not having one, and South Queens Middle School (SQMS) came into its second year of competing in the sport.
Joanne Ozon, head coach for both teams, says this year marks a major growth in the sport, not just in Queens but also in Nova Scotia.
“It's just exploded this year,” she says.
Both teams competed in a regional competition in Windsor recently. SQMS ranked second out of two teams, however Ozon says the scores were very close.
LRHS got in third out of three teams. Ozon isn't worried however, she says the teams have made a lot of progress.
“I think this competition was an eye opener... they're good teams,” she says.
The LRHS team is just getting started and is competing at the beginner level for high school – level two. Ozon says despite having such a new team, the cheerleaders are finding their current level a bit too easy. Ozon is pleased with her team's progress and with the fact that they now have three young men on the team.
“They're bored with it because they're good,” says Ozon.
SQMS is also competing at level two, however Ozon says that is the only level for junior high this year, there are no teams competing above that. The middle school team has one boy and 19 girls.
Competing in Liverpool
The upcoming regional competition is being hosted at SQMS on March 24. The school hosted a competition last year as well.
“Last year we had seven teams competing and we thought that was a lot, this year we have over 11 teams coming so we'll have over 200 athletes coming, it's huge,” says Ozon.
Ozon says competitions are a very positive experience for cheerleaders and spectators.
“The one thing about the school competitions is that each team supports each team, although they're competing against them,” she says. “While the judges are doing their thing, (the cheerleaders) are out on the mats socializing, dancing.”
Councillor Bruce Inglis will play the role of master of ceremonies for the event. All proceeds from the competition are going to the SQMS and LRHS teams to purchase uniforms and equipment.
The competition is on March 24 at SQMS. Doors open at 6 p.m. Competition starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
