It was like a scene from the movie Bring It On. The cheerleaders from eight universities – NWU-Mafikeng, NWU-Potchefstroom, University of Pretoria (Tuks), University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Vaal University of Technology (VUT), University of the Free State (UFS) and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) – took to the field for the 2nd Varsity Cheerleading Championships, proudly brought to you by Samsung and FNB at Senwes Cricket Stadium in Potchefstroom.
Competition was tough, the stunts were unique, and the atmosphere was electrifying. With opposing teams cheering each other on as their routines were judged by the South African Majorette and Cheerleading Association (SAMCA), this was more than just a competition that included cartwheels, backflips and tosses. It was about team spirit!
Judging took place and Tuks, UJ and NMMU were named the three finalists. NMMU went on to win the coveted title for the second year in a row.
“To be able to bring this back home, to the team and the university, is a humbling yet huge feeling for us,” said Nicky Ann Raepen, NMMU Varsity Sports cheerleader manager.
NMMU has a balance of dancing, stunts and pyramids, and a discipline like no other – they have been practicing their routine for three to four hours each weekday, and six hours on Saturdays and Sundays, in preparation for this epic showdown.
Diane Ruth, the Deputy Chief Adjudicator, said that they judge the difficulty of tosses, pyramids and stunts, as well as the the variety of all these. Dance, the synchronization of all their routines, and how organised each routine is, are also key areas to be adjudicated.
“All teams have improved a great deal since last year,” said Ruth. “What set NMMU apart, was that they have added more difficulty to their routine. Their throws and tosses were a lot higher, they used less people to hold up their stunts, their dance was a lot more difficult, and they had the neatest routine in their competition.”
By Marisa Calvert
