A Westhoughton cheerleaders group have excelled overseas as they are set to return from the USA as world champions.

Heirforce Cheer, a cheerleading squad based in Westhoughton, have been named Supremacy World Champions in the International Open Level 4 at the All Star World Championships and the team were brought to tears when they found out.

Katherine Madine, 33, head coach and owner of the squad, said: “We entered a national competition at the end of last year and in April we received a bid to go to All Star World Championships and the bid is if you are the highest scoring team at that competition you receive an at large bid for both of our teams to go.

“When the team found out they would be competing in the USA they were very very excited and thrilled.

The Bolton News: The Heirforce Cheer squadThe Heirforce Cheer squad (Image: Heirforce Cheer)

“We had our try outs and then we trained the whole year to be able to go.

“It’s not really sunk in yet that we have won and because we only train in the leisure centre as well competing against teams in America and Canada that have got their own facilities, we knew it was quite a big task to be able to do it, but the girls were determined and got stuck in and yes, I don’t think it has sunk in yet.

“When the team found out there were lots of tears and they were very happy.”

Cllr David Wilkinson, who represents Westhoughton, said: “Congratulations to HeirForce Cheer who are coming back from the USA as world champions.

“An extremely dedicated group of young women.”

Heirforce encourage children from the age of five to join the team, training in Westhoughton Leisure Centre and the team are desperate for their own premises.

Katherine said once they have their own premises, they will be taking on more cheer members.

Heirforce is a competitive cheerleading programme that trains in cheerleading and gymnastics with the teams competing in competitions throughout the year across the UK.

The cheer squad have won regional and national titles before and in 2022 the team took part in the Summit which is an American competition.

To find out more about Heirforce Cheer, head to: https://www.heirforcecheer.co.uk/

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