Home News Features Northside cheerleader has spring in her stop

Northside cheerleader has spring in her stop

Friday, 05 February 2010

A YOUNG Northside cheerleader is preparing for the trip of a lifetime this year when she will travel to America to represent the country in this year’s World Cheerleading Championships. Lauryn Keogh (9), from Clare Hall, will be one of the youngest cheerleaders to represent Ireland at this year’s championships in Florida. Lauryn, a member of the North Dublin Wildcats Cheerleading squad, is currently seeking sponsors to help make her dream come true and fund her trip to the US as each athlete is required to fund their own journey. Her mother, Wendy Keogh, told Northside People that she is overjoyed with her daughter’s success in the sport and hopes she can take her skills to an international stage. Ms Keogh believes that cheerleading is a challenging sport for young people, which keeps them fit and teaches them the importance of teamwork. “Lauryn started cheerleading when she was just seven-years-old,” Ms Keogh said. “She had been doing hip hop classes since she was three so she took to it quite quickly. “Her father and I never realised how exceptional she was at first as we didn’t know a lot about the sport. “When she was picked to join the Irish team we were ecstatic and so proud of her.” Ms Keogh said Lauryn is an All-Ireland National Cheerleading Champion, which is why she was selected for the national squad, Team Ireland, to represent her country at the biggest cheerleading competition in the world. “She won the competition last October with a performance of a solo piece,” she stated. “Cheerleading isn’t what people usually think it is; it’s a challenging sport with lots of flips, gymnastics and stunts. “It’s all about teamwork and trust; it’s a fantastic sport for both genders to take part in.” The Irish team will face tough competition from American and Japanese teams when they arrive in Florida in April. The championships will see the top cheerleading athletes from across the globe compete against each other. Due to the current economic situation, each athlete is required to pay all their costs to attend the competition. “Lauryn is a young star following her dreams,” Ms Keogh added. “It is an expensive trip and I want to try fundraise as much as possible. If anyone can help in any way at all I would be eternally grateful.” Donations can be made online via PayPal at www.cheerleaderlauryn.co.nr Contact details are also available on the site for other fundraising options.