The competitive season in B.C. kicked off at the Richmond Olympic Oval earlier this month with the 16th annual PINK Cheer Championships.
Hosted by Panther Cheer Athletics, it is one the longest running competitions in the country. Many clubs choose it as the launch to their schedule to ensure they push their teams to get ready before Christmas for valuable feedback from judges prior to the new year.
“We strongly believe that those programs that (attend) our event have a definite advantage moving forward,” explained Panther Cheer’s Stephanie Kennedy. “We pride ourselves on running a smooth event in which we ensure all teams have a great experience.
“Our Panther parents are the main force behind the execution of this event and they amaze us every year! The hours they put in to ensure it is a top-notch event is amazing and we are so thankful to have such a strong support system beside us.”
For the Panthers’ own competitive teams, the PINK Championships provide a strict timeline in developing routines and guides for training
.
“We know that three weeks before the event all of our teams must be running full routines and that by the week before, all the teams are running ‘clean’ routines, meaning anything that coaches feel is not working has been changed and modified to ensure our athletes have success and feel proud of what they accomplished at this event,” Kennedy continued.
The strategy proved to be very successful once again with all Panther teams finishing in the top three of their division and many bringing home championship banners. The results provide plenty of momentum heading into the next competition Jan. 9 in Chilliwack.
“This event is also the first competition for many of our ‘new to cheer’ athletes who are on our Prep teams,” Kennedy added. “We had athletes as young as three out on the competition mat showcasing the increase in their confidence, skills and fitness that Panther Cheer has helped them gain.”
The club is now accepting new athletes for both competitive and prep teams for the January to April session.
For more information call 778-297-8437 or visit the club website at www.panthercheerathletics.com
