Dance & Education

[divinecheerleader]

Cheerleading is NOT Sexist

Running a successful professional cheerleading team I have the sexism conversation a lot, and in light of the recent media attention I thought I would final publish this blog. The misconception that if a women is a cheerleader/dancer she must be being taken advantage of, or being exploited is ‘simply’ not true. Our main goal at sports or corporate events is to engage with children and women to make all sports more family and female friendly, and to entertain, which we do very well.

I am not afraid to say I am a feminist, not the man hating, burning bras type, I believe feminism is about choice. These women choose to perform, and they do it amazingly well, removing this choice or not allowing them to perform is a form of oppression it is a sexist action, you are not protecting these women you are suppressing their right to a choice.

I often say to people ‘I am a women running a team of women who are professional dancers, they have often worked from the age of 3 to be where they are today.’ I take my hat of to these women who have decided to enter the very difficult world of dance, to make their living through entertaining and bringing joy to people. They are athletes in their own right, and when they are not performing they are paying to take dance classes to refine their skills, teaching children and adults different forms of dance, working within the world of fitness as instructors and PT’s they also work for brands as promo staff and do temp work to pay the bills.

I am the first to admit that the standard of professional cheerleading in the UK before my company arrived on the scene was not great, this is what I have and am still changing. But for others to think the women who work for me are being exploited and taken advantage of is insulting, not only to me but to them. They are professional dancers who love to perform, entertain and engage with fans while always being paid. The opportunity to perform at events in front of thousands of people at an event is a dream come true - for them, and me.

I am sure I will continue having this conversation with different people, I will continue to challenge, re-educate, change hearts and minds with regards to these ideas and issues.

[divinecheerleader]

Silverfit Cheerleading

For active people there is a 20% to 35% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and stroke

There is an approximately 30% lower risk of colon cancer and approximately 20% lower risk of breast cancer for adults participating in daily physical activity

Over half (51%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone (ONS, 2010)

Two fifths of all older people (about 3.9 million) say the television is their main company (Age UK, 2014)

63% of adults aged 52 or over who have been widowed, and 51% of the same group who are separated or divorced report, feeling lonely some of the time or often (Beaumont, 2013)

59% of adults aged over 52 who report poor health say they feel lonely some of the time or often, compared to 21% who say they are in excellent health (Beaumont, 2013)

(All statistics taken from http://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/loneliness-research/)

Above are some of statistics relating to older generations in the UK. However there are a number of organisations trying to change the the health implications of loneliness in older adults,  including Silverfit. A charity set up by the incredibly talented Edwina Brocklesby - not only the UK’s oldest ironman but a vivacious 70+ year old who has more energy than most 20 year olds - Silverfit’s purpose is to get older people active. This will assist older people to live a longer healthier and happier life, and reduce stress on the NHS. Silverfit is also a fantastic way for older people to socialise, get out of the house and meet new people every day.

I am honored to work with Silverfit by running a Silver Cheerleading session on Wednesday mornings (I also have a second session starting on the 18th of February in the evening in Brixton). In my first class, I have the pleasure of teaching a number of older ladies and one gentleman cheerleading, and in our last session we completed learning one routine an amazing achievement! We have already been approached to do a demonstration at a festival in London celebrating women and I am sure there will be many more events to come.

Speaking to some of the ladies who attend my session it is evident how important having these social and fitness opportunities are to them; one lady was telling me how it had changed her life, how she has so much more energy and no longer spends her days in front of her TV.

I believe it’s in everyone’s best interest to stay active throughout your life, and encouraging people to try new things like Silverfit and Silver Cheerleading is the way you can achieve this. Its also a big goal of mine to see Silver Cheerleading demonstrations at sports events throughout the UK, how fantastic would that be!

Silverfit run sessions in: Hyde Park, Burgess Park, Crystal Palace, Brockwell Park, The Den Millwall, Academy of Sport, Brixton, Broomfield Park and Richmond. Running sessions in Nordic Walking, Pilates, Cycling, Bollywood, Cheerleading and Walking Football.

http://www.silverfit.org.uk/

http://www.thelondoncheerleaders.com/

http://www.energiseeducation.uk/

[divinecheerleader]

Energise Education offers Dance Education to schools, covering the National Curriculum as well as offering after school cheerleading, dance clubs and holiday programmes.

Energise Education is run by myself Zoe Rutherford, and a few other passionate teachers. I have over 8 years of experience teaching in schools, both primary and secondary.  My team and I are incredibly passionate about ensuring dance and the arts are taught at a high level, educating young people and giving them tools in how to stay active and fit, building a healthful lifestyle.  

Often dance is an area of the National Curriculum that is left till last or an afterthought, this is not the fault of the teachers but the fact they often don't have the skill nor confidence in how to teach dance. Bringing in qualified dance teachers is a way for schools to ensure that what is being taught is of good or outstanding level as well as covering the National Curriculum fully.

Dance is such a fantastic subject which helps children stay fit, develops their confidence through performing in front of their classmates, it helps to develop a child's creative thinking, and building team working skills.

If you would like further information on any services that Energise Education offers please email [email protected] or visit our website www.energiseeducation.uk.

[divinecheerleader]

We are very happy with our new video from the Barbarians Killik Cup Game at Twickenham. This video really demonstrates how having cheerleaders at events can really help with fan engagement and further exposure for sponsors.

I am so proud of all the wonderful cheerleaders who make up The London Cheerleaders team. They are professional beyond expectation, fantastic when talking with fans, and most importantly love performing! We always strive to be the best and uphold the title of the UK's Premier Cheerleading Team.

I am alway keen to talk to people about what I do, or if you are interested in utilising cheerleaders at your events please get in contact.

www.thelondoncheerleaders.com

[email protected]

07515699125

[divinecheerleader]

Changing Opinions

Over the last year and a half I have come to realise that a large part of my job is to change opinions about cheerleaders. I’ve heard in person and over email that cheerleading is perceived as very American - just dancing girls and not family friendly. It has now become a goal of mine to change these perceptions and get people to see the enormous value of effective use of cheerleaders at sports games across the spectrum.

Yes, cheerleading originated in the US (and originally it was all men!) but it is seen in South African rugby, Indian 20/20 cricket, New Zealand and Australian rugby league; it’s seen across Eastern Europe for both basketball and football and across a huge number of beach sports throughout Europe. Each of these sports see the value of have cheerleaders at their games, it makes the games inclusive, building a fanbase of all ages and sexes. It gives a club more engagement opportunities before the game, and sponsors a way to get their brand more exposure. And it’s fun and exciting!

Look at the States. They pack out stadiums of 80,000 on a weekly basis due to the entertainment provided in addition to the games themselves - not just cheerleaders but dance groups, bands, singers, acrobats all on show at games to keep people entertained - how can you go wrong with that?

I find myself repeating again and again, “All the cheerleaders in our team are young women 20+, professionals either in dance or other careers and they have worked from the age of 3 to get where they are today in regards to their dance ability. They are not ‘dancing girls’”. I spend an evening a week training with these women, and they are athletes. Being in a room with 20 cheerleaders doing a kick line is empowering, the room shakes with the power they create. Dancing in sync with 8 others on a pitch in front of thousands of people is electrifying. They love what they do and want to share their skill, and people love watching!

We work with Northants Cricket Club, and at these events the cheerleaders engage with fans before and during the game. They have a small stage under the scoreboard where they perform at every 6 and 4 and are always surrounded by children wanting to join in. The kids have fun learning the moves from the cheerleaders; they also teach the cheerleaders their own chants they then perform with the pom poms. We have had both young girls and boys come up to the cheerleaders to say “I love you” “you're my favourite” and “I'm going to become a cheerleader like you!” Hearing these words warms my heart, and I hope interaction with the cheerleaders is a catalyst for getting young girls active and inspired to dance.

I believe every football, rugby, cricket, basketball club in the UK should have amazing cheerleaders and it is my mission to make that a reality.  

[divinecheerleader]

Showreel of different events The London Cheerleaders have performed at. 

[divinecheerleader]

The ‘This Girl Can’ Campaign Rocks!

I am passionate about staying fit and healthy. I like the odd treat every now and again - who doesn’t? - but I want to be comfortable in my own skin, feel healthy and, if I have to run for that bus, I want to be able to do it in style. The ‘This Girl Can’ campaign is really striving to make it ok for us ladies to sweat and own it when we do, and I think that is awesome. Obesity is a major problem that must be addressed. Young children need to do physical activity and play sport from a young age, and we adults need to honest with ourselves and take charge.

The Lancet medical journal published last year that 67% of men and 57% of women are either overweight or obese, and more than a quarter of children are also overweight or obese – 26% of boys and 29% of girls. I find this incredibly worrying. Children are given endless opportunities to take part in different sports in schools - they can join football, rugby, cricket, swimming, athletics, gymnastic, dance and cheerleading teams. There are initiatives and campaigns such as ‘This Girl Can’ happening all the time, but are we doing enough to bring about change?

I believe to get change we need to start in nurseries. If children are encouraged to take up physical activity from a very young age it will become second nature to them, so that when they start school it will become a natural progression to join a sports team, to join extra-curricular activities after school, to stay active because they have been doing it from as long as they can remember. I was very active at a young age, I learnt to ski, ride a bike and did ballet all before I started school. This put me in good stead going forward - the whole way through school I was active and I played sport, I joined in every PE lesson, I represented my school and county in swimming and I did ballet and jazz dance up to a high level.

Adults need to take charge, we need to lead by example, we need to be showing children and young people the way in regards to fitness and staying healthy. ‘This Girl Can’ is a start to getting women into exercise; healthy eating initiatives are a start to educate people on how to eat healthy, but we as adults, mums, dads, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers and leaders need to lead the way in showing our children and young people it is OK to get hot, red and sweaty.

Its not about being skinny, it’s about feeling good.

Zoe Rutherford

Managing Director The London Cheerleaders

[email protected]