DanceCheerMove Spreads Inspiration Through International Cheerleading Camps



With the success of movies like Bring it On, cheerleading has become one of the fastest growing sports around the world. As a result, companies like DanceCheerMove are expanding their business operations to reach the global market. Last week, Drew and Shazia Edmonds, founders of DanceCheerMove, journeyed to Norway to make the dream of competitive cheerleading come true for a very special 14 year old girl.

Vilde D's229;st's216;l, of Horten, Norway (population 20,000), fell in love with cheerleading at age 13 and dreamed of one day competing with her own squad. She quickly gathered 5 of her closest friends and formed what is now the Horten Diamonds cheerleading squad. To market and grow the squad this young girl designed a website (http://www.horten-diamonds.piczo.com/cr=4) and organized gym space for their practices, all without assistance from an adult. In a small Norwegian fishing village, finding a cheerleading coach proved to be an impossible task, therefore Vilde acted as coach to the inexperienced group. To learn the various cheerleading stunts, motions, and techniques, the girls simply emulated what they saw on YouTube.

On September 24, 2008, Vilde received word from the Norwegian Cheerleading Association that a U.S. cheerleading instructor from DanceCheerMove would be traveling to Europe in November to work with a few cheerleading squads. She acquired the contact information for DanceCheerMove from the website, http://www.dancecheermove.com, and reached out to the owners that night. Vilde explained that her squad was, considered a joke in Norway because it was organized by a 14 year old girl. She expressed that the team wanted to learn a routine from DanceCheerMove because (they) want to prove that the Diamonds are a true cheerleading team.

Shazia Edmonds, owner of DanceCheerMove, quickly responded to Vilde'ss plea. She explains, Vilde'ss story is not a joke, but rather, an inspiration. There aren'st many 14 year girls who could have organized a squad on their own. Vilde is someone to be admired and revered! Shazia and Drew began working on the travel logistics, camp itinerary, cheerleading choreography, and cheerleading music immediately after this first contact with Vilde.

On November 10, 2008, Shazia and Drew arrived in Horten, Norway by plane, train, and automobile. Shazia instructed during the 3 day cheerleading choreography camp, while Drew shot video footage of what will soon become a documentary showcasing Vilde'ss story. The girls were taught a 1 's189; minute long routine set to customized cheer music. The girls were so excited about the opportunity to work with Shazia. They absorbed as much cheerleading knowledge as they could during the three days, explains Drew. I really saw them progress, which was very rewarding after all of the anticipation that had built up over the months leading up to the cheerleading choreography camp. With practice, they will be ready to take on the competition.

The DanceCheerMove duo visited two additional squads during the trip. While in Norway they held a two day cheerleading camp for the Solberg Spiders (ages 14-15), who are based out of Drammen. After visiting the Spiders (and Diamonds) in Norway the DanceCheerMove founders traveled to Dunmow, England. Here they organized a two day cheerleading camp for the Rumblebee'ss All Star Cheerleading squad (ages 5-18) who have been invited to the ICU World Championships held in Orlando in April, 2009. At these cheerleading camps Shazia provided instruction for advanced stunts, cheerleading choreography, cheers, motions, and techniques. Each team also received a CD with three cheerleading music mixes. Working with international squads has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, Shazia expresses in reflection. The squads have so much enthusiasm and show a real desire and determination to learn new skills.

Based on the success of this trip, DanceCheerMove is gearing up for more international trips in 2009. We have been asked to revisit the Diamonds, Spiders, and Rumblebees around Easter of next year, states Shazia. We have also been asked to judge the Australian World Cup and work with squads in Germany and Sweden in 2009. The next couple of years will be very exciting for DanceCheerMove.

DanceCheerMove was founded in March of 2006. Its core services include cheerleading camps and clinics, cheerleading choreography, customized cheerleading music mixes, and judging. Based out of Savannah, GA, the highly qualified instructors travel to cheerleading squads worldwide. DanceCheerMove owner, Shazia Edmonds, has 10 National Championship titles to her name. She has been a 5 year National Cheerleading Association Head instructor, 3 time All-American Cheerleader, and 4 year captain of the Georgia Southern University cheerleading squad. Drew Edmonds is responsible for all marketing and administrative duties within the DanceCheerMove organization. More information about the company can be found at http://www.dancecheermove.com.





DanceCheerMove Spreads Inspiration Through International Cheerleading Camps