CHEERLEADERS' SPONSORS APPEAL

THE SHIRES Shopping Centre, Trowbridge is sponsoring a group of Clarendon College pupils who have set up an afternoon club - the Street Cheer Squad.

The squad, started by part-time instructor Zoe Reeves, from Hilperton, go by the name the Urban Lions and now has 48 students with another 10 wanting to join.

The new squad has already taken part in the Trowbridge Thrive Festival, and a schools’ festival in May with another planned on July 13. Even more importantly the squad is taking part in the County Schools’ Cheerleaders competition in Swindon on June 29 and has  been invited to the Swindon street games festival.

But the group was a cheer team without any pom poms or uniforms and The Shires has come to the rescue with sponsorship.
The Shires centre manager John Grinnell said he was delighted to assist a local group with sponsorship and has agreed to help purchase pom poms to help them on their way.

The students , who give up their breaks and lunchtimes to practise, will shortly be giving a demonstration and performance in The Shires, although the date and time has not yet been decided.

Zoe, a keen dancer, who is helped  by the squad’s assistant coach Thaya Glass, a 14-year-old student at Clarendon College, said the idea had just snowballed.

“Thaya has been absolutely brilliant. She is so dedicated. With a youngster showing so much enthusiasm it has helped drive me on too,” she said.

“We started with about 20 but everyone was so keen to take part that the squad has grown to nearly 60. It’s open to everyone of senior school age from 11 to 16 year olds and as well as all the competitions we are now really busy going to various school and village fetes. It’s really been fantastic.”

Zoe said although they were really grateful for the backing they were receiving from The Shires the group still needs more pom poms to enable them to compete in their  competitions and shows and they are still looking for more sponsors so they can kit everyone out with uniforms.

If you would like to help, please contact Zoe Reeves on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it