The cheerleading team from a local high school recently placed fourth after participating in their first ever Cheerleading Association (SAMCA) National Championships. This was according to Lisa Parrock, head coach of Hoërskool Stellenbosch’s Stellies Cheerleader team.
The championships were held in Durban and took place at the beginning of July, stated Parrock.
“I was very proud that they were able to go [to the SAMCA Nationals] and make a good first impression,” said Parrock.
SAMCA is a recognised federation for majorettes and cheerleaders in South Africa, according to their website.
“They [the cheerleaders] were very scared, but I think it helped them so much to know many people were watching from their homes because it was streamed on SuperSport Schools,” added Parrock.
The Stellies Cheerleaders from Hoërskool Stellenbosch were proud to represent their school at their first South African Majorette and Cheerleading Association (SAMCA) National Championships, said Lisa Parrock, head coach of the team. PHOTO: Michelle Grobbelaar
An ambitious goal
Stellies Cheerleaders was formed in 2017, said Parrock.
“At the beginning, there were a lot of people who thought [SAMCA Nationals] was an ambitious idea,” said Parrock. However, the principal of Hoërskool Stellenbosch, Theo Pellissier, thought that it was a great opportunity for the school and the team, added Parrock.
The team kept each other motivated, said Nina Odendaal, matric student and cheerleading captain.
The other teams all had professional coaches, said Nadia Marais, matric student and deputy cheerleading captain. “Our coach is just a teacher here at the school. So, I think we [did really well] for not having a professional coach,” said Marais.
The team worked hard and stayed focused on their goals, said Parrock.
The Stellies Cheerleaders team from Hoërskool Stellenbosch held various fundraisers and raised R90 000 to compete in their first South African Majorette and Cheerleading Association (SAMCA) National Championship that was recently held in Durban. This was according to Lisa Parrock, head coach of the team. PHOTO: Michelle Grobbelaar
Generating exposure for cheerleading
“[Nationals] was amazing exposure for the team,” said Jeanine van der Westhuizen, team manager of Stellies Cheerleaders.
“When we go to the nationals next year we are bringing our A-game,” said Anri Malan, a grade 10 student and flyer for the team.
“They worked hard, and they are a group of awesome kids that put in the effort to get the results,” said Niel Retief, deputy principal of Hoërskool Stellenbosch. The Stellies Cheerleaders team from Hoërskool Stellenbosch recently competed in their first South African Majorette and Cheerleading Association (SAMCA) National Championship, said Lisa Parrock, head coach of the team. VIDEO: Michelle Grobbelaar