Cheerleading championships heading to Glasgow

Published on 05/02/2013 13:38

The European Cheerleading Championships will be held at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena this summer.

Around 3,000 cheerleaders will compete in the event, the first European championships held in the UK, which the city council believes could bring £1.3 million to the economy.

The European Cheerleading Championships started in 2011 with the inaugural competition held in Prague. Organisers said 34 teams will compete in the two-day event and 5,000 people are expected to come to Scotland, including competitors, coaches and family.

Council leader Gordon Matheson said: “The European Cheerleading Union’s decision to bring their flagship event to Glasgow is a huge vote of confidence in the city and a real first for Scotland and the UK.

“We look forward to extending a warm welcome to the thousands of competitors and spectators who will come and soak up the colourful atmosphere of these championships, which will undoubtedly deliver a significant boost to the city’s economy.”

A range of titles are given out at the championships including best group stunt and best dance group, in junior and senior categories.

The bid to bring the event to Glasgow was made by Scottish cheerleading body Scotcheer and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

Steve Walls, president of Scotcheer, said: “We are delighted that our bid to bring the 2013 ECU European Cheerleading Championships to Glasgow has been successful and we’re now aiming to deliver a show-stopping event, which will really set the benchmark for future championships.

“Over the past decade we have seen a meteoric rise in interest and participation in cheerleading right across Scotland and hosting this event in Glasgow will allow cheerleading clubs from every corner of the UK to compete against the very best in Europe.”

Cheerleaders from Glasgow’s Dance and Cheer Academy will be among the teams competing on June 29 and 30.

Team member Fiona Brown said: “I competed in the European championships last year and it’s a spectacular event, so I’m delighted that this year it’s coming to my home city and to such an amazing venue as the Emirates Arena.

“As a club, we’re really looking forward to welcoming and competing against some of the best cheerleaders and teams in Europe - and to being cheered on by a home crowd.”