Tameside cheer academy set for Orlando after stunning international success

A Tameside-based cheer and dance school is preparing for the trip of a lifetime after securing multiple prestigious bids to compete on the world stage in Orlando, Florida.

Elements Extreme Cheer, based at the Empire in Tower Mill Dukinfield, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year - and founder Becci says the club’s journey to international competition has been anything but rushed.

“For the first eight years, I never entered competitions that could get you to Orlando,” Becci explained. “I loved what we did and didn’t want it to become all about being ‘worlds or nothing’. I just enjoyed the environment we’d created.”

But as the standard of dancers and cheerleaders continued to rise, and Elements athletes began winning consistently at competitions, a turning point came.

“We were getting really good,” she said. “And then we started losing some kids to other local clubs that were competing internationally. That was when I thought, actually, this is something we could achieve.”

Two years ago, Elements put together its first travel team and entered a qualifying competition in Amsterdam, where teams could earn a bid to The Summit in Orlando, one of the biggest all-star cheer and dance events in the world.

“It was the first competition we’d ever entered where a bid was possible. We honestly thought it would take a few tries… and then we got it. We were like, ‘Oh my God!’” Becci told the Reporter.

Before the team had even travelled to compete at The Summit, another surprise followed. Attending a training camp purely for feedback, the squad secured a bid to the All-Star Worlds competition.

“So, before we’d even competed in Orlando once, we’d already qualified for Worlds, it was surreal.”

This year, Elements will be taking around 30 children and their families to Orlando at the start of April. The teams heading to the USA include junior lyrical, youth lyrical, junior hip hop and one of the cheer teams, with competitors aged roughly between 10 and 16.

Behind the scenes, an enormous fundraising effort has made the trip possible. Becci praised the parents’ fundraising team, who organise everything from raffles and themed parties to online campaigns and seasonal events.

“They’re absolutely amazing,” she said. “They run stalls, Facebook fundraisers, parties, they’ve done Halloween events, Valentine raffles, Christmas campaigns. It all adds up.”

The club has also received vital support from local businesses, including sponsorship from the owners of Tower Mill and a construction company connected to one of the parents.

“All of that money goes towards getting the children there and paying for training while we’re in America,” Becci explained.

Elements has also built a strong community culture, with a launch party held every September to bring new and existing members together.

“It’s about making sure families know each other and feel part of something,” Becci said. “We celebrate the season ahead, it’s competitive, but it’s also supportive and fun.”

Despite the recent success, Becci is determined not to chase international bids every year: “We’re planning to go every other year. If you try to do it annually, it loses its magic, and it’s a big commitment for families. This way, it stays special.”

Now, Becci says she’s seen the true value of the journey – especially for younger dancers who dream of following in their teammates’ footsteps.

“They can see what’s possible if they work hard,” she said. “That motivation is priceless.”

Elements Extreme Cheerleaders on their last visit to Orlando.