The trials and tribulations of a Paralympic hopeful – Chapter Two

I am in a world of pain. A world of pain I have never experienced before, and wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. A pain that SAS hopefuls pray won’t happen to them in the selection process, and all this pain from sporting exercise. One day I will learn my lesson – I hope from now on I remember padded shorts will forever be my friend on a bike, and use this version of hell as a horrific anecdote of what happens if you don’t.

Rewind one excruciatingly painful week…

Hearing your alarm go off at 3.45am is about as pleasant as gauging your eyes out with forks whilst standing on hot charcoal. I’d imagine. I’ve never been particularly good in the mornings, let alone on a pitch-black night in the middle of November, so I was pleasantly surprised I managed to get out of the house and into the car without waking up everyone else down the street. The tricky part was to get my incredibly patient boyfriend awake enough to sit in the driver’s seat and do the four-hour journey up to Manchester for the second time in the space of two weeks – mission successful… just about. Two Red Bulls and a Square bar later anyway!

I’ll be honest, the drive up is all a little bit of a blur to me, mostly because I was seeing it through my eyelids. Clearly a distinct lack of sleep was catching up to me, but I woke up just in time to arrive at the National Cycling Centre. To my surprise, only eight of us were there for testing, but recognised a couple from the Athletics trials so I felt right at home. (Feel free to have a read of the Athletics blog – it explains a lot more about how I got here!)

I’d been to the Manchester Velodrome a few times before, but not in the same capacity, at all. Cheerleading competitions seem to have no relation whatsoever to going round and round in circles on a bike that weighs about as much as my left arm. The actual cycling part of the trial was eventful in itself. Considering I haven’t been on a bike since I was about 14 and my lack of balance on two feet – let alone two wheels – is almost non-existent, I wasn’t expecting to become Laura Trott after just one attempt.

Much to my relief, and everyone else’s, we were on static bikes for the day and not let loose on the Velodrome just yet. Baby steps Chachi. Instead, we were introduced to speed and endurance testing – a whole new version of fresh hell! We knew roughly what we were getting into, but jeez, I don’t think I was quite prepared for it.

For starters, it took about 20 minutes to get all eight of us set up on the bikes, and it was the first time I’ve ever been strapped onto a bike. Definitely a new experience, especially when you wanted to get off for a drink or needed assistance in order to fall off after interval training. Four sets of six-seconds flat-out to show your top speed, followed by three gruelling minutes of pedalling as fast as possible. And all this includes changing the gears with my right hand that has no co-ordination and no way of defining which handle I’m moving.

Trust me, it doesn’t show just how steep it really is…

 

My body isn’t used to hard-core physical exercise (or exercise in general) at the moment; after just a minute, my legs were burning, 30 seconds later, my knee was cracking with every single rotation and two minutes in I was literally screaming in pain. I’d say that was most probably the longest three minutes of my life, quickly followed by collapsing on the handlebars, and then falling off the bike. I’ve never been a particularly graceful person, but trust me, that wasn’t exactly one of my proudest moments…

Leaving the inside of the track walking like John Wayne also wasn’t pleasant, but still, the comedic value was worth it for everyone else watching. Three and a half long hours pass waiting for my personal classification testing – the minutes elapse, time is killed walking around the local shops and the Etihad Stadium with my ever-patient boyfriend, and yet we still have more than two hours to kill. Perfect. Eventually, the safest solution is for him to kip in the car for an hour or two in preparation for the drive home, whilst I aimlessly sit around in the café in silence. At least the Rugby is on.

Finally, I’m called into the medical room to determine whether my disability is actually severe enough to even be classified (if not, the morning’s cycling efforts would have been for nothing). Technically, each individual session was supposed to last 30 minutes – Me be awkward as always, mine lasted 75 minutes. Never one to fit in with the crowd and be (in relative terms) normal.

 

I’m in the red top and clearly suffering with sitting down already!

It turns out that amongst many of the tests I had done, I have no reflexes at all on either side of my body, leaving the physiotherapists completely dumbfounded as to why. But after endless poking and prodding from two different people, it’s official, I have a classification. I would be a C5 athlete (the least severe of the categories) but I thought I wouldn’t even be put in a class. The pain, the genuine screaming, the burning legs hotter than an erupting volcano was all worth it.

My dream is slowly becoming a reality – Tokyo 2020 is almost impossible, but with every step, the closer I will get and there will be light at the end of the tunnel. I have been defying expectations since I was born, why stop that now?

The trials and tribulations of a Paralympic hopeful – Part One

 

 

4:45am: (Beep, Beep, Beep…) The never-ending, dreaded sound of the alarm in the morning. Except it doesn’t feel like morning when it’s pitch black, and trust me, this was no ordinary day. Today was my first ever paralympic trial, and I had no idea what to expect. Not a Scooby.

I applied for the Paralympic Talent Scheme back in September, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, watching Team GB earn their highest medal haul in history and thought to myself, ‘why not?’ thinking nothing of it at the time. Yet, three weeks later, not one, but three emails confirming my place for the trials made their way into my inbox if I wanted it them, and I sure as hell wasn’t about to turn down that kind of experience.

However, when I signed up, I was expecting a regional event somewhere fairly local where I’d get to try out a few different sports, meet a few people who may actually make it to Tokyo in 2020 for the GB Squad and I could finally put my sports journalism skills to good use. No. Couldn’t be more wrong if I tried. Instead, I’d be given a 10-12pm session slot half way up the country in Manchester – ridiculously early start it is then…

Whilst I may have been the one getting all hot and sweaty with the gruelling drills, I managed to avoid the four-hour drive each way (thankfully, because I would have fallen asleep at the wheel more times than Garfield says he hates Mondays): That job fell to my fabulously supportive boyfriend – I wouldn’t have been capable of doing half of what I did today without him… or allowing me to kip in the car.

I had no idea what I was walking into or how to react when I arrived at the Etihad Stadium today. I met and spoke to The Last Leg’s Adam Hills (famous for his Paralympic coverage) last weekend, and asked him what to do when being in a room full of ‘disabled’ people. He came back with the best response: “Everyone you’ll meet will be in exactly the same situation as you – no-one knows how to react cause you don’t really round up disabled people often! I had no clue what to do the first time, just be yourself and enjoy the experience.”

He couldn’t have been more right. Most of us were completely new to trials and had been inspired by Team GB; it didn’t matter what we did today, the main aim was to get the most out of the experience and meet people with similar disabilities.

It’s probably time for a bit of context. I am a mild right hemiplegic suffering with Cerebral Palsy. I say suffering – it’s not remotely obvious to the naked eye and I don’t class myself as disabled (I can do pretty much everything… except do buttons up with my right hand…) because I had so much physiotherapy as a baby. But I was unbelievably lucky, I was caught at six weeks old. Most people with CP -including many that I met today – weren’t diagnosed until 18 months, even later.

So I turned my hand to sport, mainly gymnastics, from six months old as a form of physiotherapy to keep my muscles active. Turns out, I may have stood out in the crowd in the warm up alone at the Athletics trials today because of it – my flexibility (which I thought was non-existent) resulted in one of the GB coaches calling over the Head of Paralympic Scouts to watch me lift my leg higher than they had ever seen before whilst sitting in a particularly awkward position on the floor. I’m sure it was a sight to behold… and most certainly something I’m glad I don’t have photographic evidence of!

My first area in Athletics was jumping (mainly long jump for the day) and as it happens, I’m not too shabby at it. As a cheerleader, my jumps are the only thing I can do and do well (tumbles are a no-go with a back like Quasimodo, stunting – not a chance, and I’m more of a show-off than Beyoncé when it comes to the Dance section), and apparently impressed the GB jump coach – I believe his exact words were, “You clearly have a natural talent and ability for long jump. Have you got springs in those trainers?!” Not bad for a person who has no ligaments left in her ankles and rolls both of them on average about five times a week.

Our group of seven were starting to interact a lot more by the time we made it to rotation 2 – sprinting. Of course, I’m not one to keep quiet for very long and ended up talking more than Lorelai in Gilmore Girls, but it was the first time I’d ever had a full-blown conversation with people with CP and I couldn’t help myself; my inquisitive nature kicked in. Or another way to put it – I’m nosy.

I’ve never really been one for running; between the gammy ankles and a distinct lack of stamina, I wasn’t really expecting miracles, but I thought I’d have a crack at it. Maybe sprinting would be better because it’s a shorter distance? Wrong again. Admittedly, it was only 40 metres for the coaches to get an idea of our speed. I’ll give you a hint, I wasn’t about to beat Usain Bolt in a race anytime soon, but there may be a glimmer of hope if I put a pair of roller blades on instead!

The throwing events aren’t exactly my cup of tea either. I’m more akin to doing the splits on a crate of fire rather than managing to do anything more than a pansy throw. Still, it was all part of the experience, which I wouldn’t have changed for the world. I’m not expecting anything out of the trial, for me it’s just another story to tell and possibly a chance get some journalism work out of it; a callback for phase two would just be the icing on the cake.

But I’m not done yet. One trial down. two to go. Track Cycling should be interesting considering I struggle immensely with cornering on a bike, let alone balance, and Triathlon may be the death of me, but I promise to write about it before collapsing in a heap.

Three Paralympic Trials, five weeks – what could possibly go wrong?!

Snipers Cheerleading Academy smash their first ever competition

The Senior Cheer team before going on stage

DESPITE being formed just seven months ago, Snipers Cheerleading Academy placed all seven of their routines in the top three at the Autumn Allstar competition in Eastbourne last weekend.

The squad, based in Hounsdown, topped the standings in four different categories, coming first in all three pairs dance routines, as well as in the highest level senior stunt team in the entire competition.

In addition to the first placed trophies, Snipers also came home with a 2^nd and 3^rd in the open and junior level 2 stunt teams respectively, but it was the Senior Cheer routine that was the most pleasing result of the weekend for the club.

This was the first and only chance for the full squad to show their potential before Nationals in March. With only one fall in the two and a half minute routine, the 18-man squad produced a stunning performance, taking 2^nd out of eight teams, and just 0.75 away from category favourites, Vista Twisters in first.

Sam works alongside a committee to run the club

Snipers Head Coach, Sam Youren, believes her squad have achieved everything and more from their goals they set for their first competition, but wants to push the team further for Nationals. “I am completely overwhelmed by the results this weekend.

“For a brand new squad, we have exceeded every other teams’ expectations of us, and even though we had brilliant results, there are still a lot of things we need to work on for March. Nationals will be a bigger competition and we can’t become complacent, just because of what we have already achieved.”

Dance Coach Eva Newton with Junior Pair winners, Amy and Chloe

It is not just the Head Coach who is looking to improve the squad. Dance Coach, Eva Newton, who choreographed the senior cheer routine, as well as the three winning pair routines, says: “There were some mistakes and need to work on tighter arm lines throughout the dance sections, but all the hard work paid off.

“Now we have competed for the first time, we now understand what the judges like and don’t like so I know what to work on for the next event, but our team is a family. I am so proud of them.”

And this is not the first time the club has been noticed in the local community. In September, Snipers Cheerleading were recognised in a national competition run by Miller Homes, and won a £500 grant to put towards new training facilities.

Miller Homes came down to Hounsdown and got involved with the stunting!

They have all ages and abilities within the squad, as well as boys and girls, and welcome beginners and ex cheerleaders/gymnasts for training sessions. For more information about training times or queries on starting with the club, contact Sam on samyouren@yahoo.co.uk

Snipers Cheerleading Head Coach is vying for top spot at Nationals with brand new squad

Snipers Cheerleading Academy may have only been up and running since Easter, but their coach targets a National title in their first full season.

The squad, based in Hounsdown in the New Forest, are aiming for the same success they had with Southern Sirens Cheerleading Squad, before relations within the team broke down and all members made the transition four months ago.

Head Coach Sam Youren is taking 7 routines to the Eastbourne competition in just 10 weeks’ time

Sam Youren, Snipers Head Coach, sees their first competition in Eastbourne in early November as a warm up to the National Championships in March, but doesn’t want to pressurise her new team.

“We’ve had a lot of success in the past few years at Eastbourne and I want the team to do well after putting in so much time and effort over the last few months. But I know that it may be a little scary for some of the newest members.

“There’s a lot of good competitive squads going in November, but I don’t see why we couldn’t place in the top three – our stunts are harder, our dance is faster and tighter, we could do really well as long as no-one panics.”

Lia Jackson raised over £300 alone to help Snipers reach their target

However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the new team, and uniforms do not come cheap for cheerleaders. To kick-start their sponsorship, one plucky parent completed a 10,000ft skydive just two weeks ago raising over £2300 to cover the costume costs of everyone in the squad.

There are other fundraising ideas coming up for Snipers, with bag-packing at their local stores and performing at events being the main options for new safety equipment and training facilities.

Lia caught in the act on the way down

If you would like to donate to their JustGiving page, please follow this link:

http://www.gofundme.com/y8wa9h6x?fb_action_ids=10154061945224922&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_ref=fb_cr_n

To hear more on the skydive story, click the link below for video footage:

Bournemouth Falcons Cheer Squad celebrate a great season with awesome showcase

BU Falcons’ opening number at the Showcase

Bournemouth Falcons Cheerleading Squad capped off an impressive season with a brilliant showcase of their talents in Southampton.

The event at Redbridge School was to raise money for next season’s team, going towards entry fees for competitions, costumes and cheer uniforms and travelling costs, and built up a total of £400 just from Sunday’s showcase.

Bow and Arrow in extension

Cheerleading routines involve a number of areas of gymnastics, dance, jumps and acrobatics, which the Falcons showed to family and friends, as well as moments of audience participation, where they were taught stunts and competed in dance-offs.

Georgia Daniel, a second year student and club treasurer, saw the event as a way to show family and friends how the sport can bring people together:

“Showing off the result of all our hard work to the people we love was a great way to finish off a great year. I’ve been lucky enough to be on the team for two years now and I’ll definitely be trying out again next year.

“We are all such good friends and it’s amazing to be able to spend so much time together training, at events and competing. We’re like a family!”

This isn’t the first fundraising event they have attended this year; they have also helped out at the children’s charity, Hadland Foundation and raised money for the British Heart Foundation amongst many others throughout the academic year.

Their first competitive meet in Exeter in March came with great success, coming second in their category for the cheer routine and placing third in both the level three stunt team and small pom – the first time they have attempted a dance routine.

This continued at the National championships in Telford just a month later, with the biggest surprise produced by the pom team, coming third again, but this time, out of 15 teams from across the country’s universities.

Since Anna Busby (an ex Bournemouth University student) formed the cheerleading team three years ago, the squad have gone from strength to strength, with tryouts at the beginning of each season attracting over 200 students from all academic and sporting backgrounds.

Stunt teams showing off their heel stretches

Busby still remains as the Head Coach of the Falcons, with support from Lucy Darrall, who has been captain of the squad for the 2014/15 season.

If you are starting or are doing a course at Bournemouth University in September and are interested in joining the team, follow the Falcons on Instagram and Twitter (@BUFalcons) or click on the link below for more details:

http://bufalcons.com/index.php

It’s my anniversary!

For most people, today is just another crappy Monday morning where they’re stuck at their desks until at least 5pm trying to catch up on the weekend’s work and deal with the mother of all hangovers from Saturday night. But for me, it’s a little different. For me, today’s an anniversary. Of sorts…

Six months ago today, I was surrounded by sick people, doctors still trying to wake up and a ward-full of elderly women’s asses on show. Yes, I was stuck in a hospital bed. I think I would have preferred gauging my eyes out with forks than being there (and after some of the sights I saw, that actually became a viable option!).

But it was for a good cause; I wasn’t just there because I was bored and had escaped from the Priory. That gloomy Tuesday in November was the day I would finally get my shoulder fixed after three and a half years of constant agony. Admittedly, I thought the pain would dissipate straight away, maybe a week or two of no driving?

How wrong was I?!

It became pretty obvious I had set the bar way higher than I should have done, but I was about to be brought back down to earth faster than Usain Bolt runs the 100 metres. My estimations were a little out – the pain wouldn’t disappear for a good eight weeks, I wouldn’t drive for nearly three months (well, I may have attempted to a little before that date, but the doctors don’t need to know that) and wouldn’t be able to do strenuous fitness for a whole year.

Well this post is to show that these dates are just guidelines. I’m aware that my shoulder will still keep improving until November and I will only get stronger from here on in, but I am finally back doing what I love the most; cheerleading.

It may be 6 months earlier than the doctors predicted, and I’m still gently easing myself back into it – like the good little girl I have to be – but after over four years of pain and stressing of making the reoccurring injury worse, I can actually relax and enjoy my passion again. I have to tell you, it’s the best feeling in the world.

And to top It all off, Saturday was the first time in about two years that I was able to tumble properly. I’m fully aware I’m nowhere near being able to call myself a gymnast, I’m not sure I was ever able to call myself that, and I’m certain a sprung floor was working wonders, but I was doing handsprings and pushing off my shoulder without it even hurting. I’m back!!

Despite these last few months probably being the toughest of my life and feeling so degraded the whole time, (the worst by far was not being able to wash my hair without assistance, and the physical impossibility of cutting up food. I felt like a two year old) there is light at the end of the tunnel.

That’s the main message in this – if there’s anyone reading this post and is going through something similar, it will get better. Your confidence may get shattered, but the people around you will help to build it up again, until you hit that stage where you’re smiling more than you were before the pain. Those long days of agony, popping pills like they’re candy and not being able to sleep on one side will improve. There is hope!

Just keep smiling through the pain until you’re just smiling. Honestly, it is worth al the suffering.

Southampton’s Max Cater bids for Taekwondo gold in first European Games

MAX Cater has been called up to the Great Britain Taekwondo squad for the first European Games aged just 17.

Cater picking up his Gold Medal at the Swiss Open in March

The games held in Baku, Azerbaijan, will be a big test for New-Forest-based Cater, and a step up in character for the under 54 kilogram fighter, however, he has held his own against international opponents in recent years.

Not only has he won titles in the Swiss Open and Bosnian Open already this year, but is also the reigning Commonwealth gold medallist from 2014, proving that his place in Team GB is well deserved, and his move to Manchester to train with Great Britain’s elite has paid off.

The seven-strong team of athletes competing travelling to Baku also have the opportunity to gain valuable points at this event and challenge for Olympic qualification; a dream that Cater has been working towards from the age of five.

“My inspiration for Baku is to go out and perform my very best, hopefully bringing back a gold medal.

Jordon sparring with black belt teacher, Fallon

“It’s the first major event for me, and is a great achievement to be picked at 17. But I’m always looking to improve for Rio next year.”

However, Cater isn’t the only Southampton-based interest; Jordon James, who has been scouted by the Panther Taekwondo academy, competed for the first time on Sunday taking home bronze, and is tipped to be a star for the future.

James showing her strength against a black belt in warm up

James came third in her first competitive bout after only eight weeks of training in the sport, but believes her background in cheerleading and dance has helped her to adapt to the martial art.

“It’s not been hard to make the transition, because a lot of it comes from flexibility that I got from dance, but it is much more disciplined.”

For extended interviews with James’ coach, dad and herself, click the link below:

By Talia Jones

@TaliaSofia16 @SouthCoastSN

Chapter One – There’s nothing like a cosy hospital gown

“Well this is a story all about how, my life got flipped, turned upside down” – The Fresh Prince himself, Will Smith, explains this adventure perfectly!

So I’m a little late in writing this stupid story, but apparently I’ve been told it needs to be documented. Welcome to the most injury-prone person and her story about recovering!

As some of you will know, I’m a cheerleader: (well, ex/retired cheerleader now… Had to hang up my cheer shoes and poms for good after this joyous exploit) actually, that’s partly how I ended up here!

Quick background for why I’m having shoulder surgery – about 3 years ago, whilst warming up at a competition, someone fell in a stunt from more than twice my height. She landed on my nose, then both of us landed on my shoulder. That’s about it.

Ended up competing twice before being sent to Manchester A&E with concussion and a broken nose. Overall, a pretty standard day… Since then though, rounds of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, all the ‘therapies’ basically (even the Electro shock treatment was fun) led me back round in circles.

In hindsight, working on a checkout probably didn’t do me any favours when it came to Repetitive Strain Injury, especially now I know I tore all the cartilage in my left shoulder. I realise now that possibly wasn’t my best move.

So it was pretty surreal to get a phone call whilst sat in a KFC in Eastbourne (so us cheerleaders don’t always keep to a ‘healthy’ diet) on the Friday of a competition weekend, to come into hospital just 5 days later!

Stuck in Southampton General Hospital on a freezing cold Tuesday morning in November wasn’t exactly part of the plan. Neither was having to wear the most ill-fitting, tasteless and thinnest hospital gown known to man. The only place those gowns belong is in a fire because no-one would willingly want their ass on show to a ward full of people they’ve never met before.

And yet, that’s where I found myself – the youngest person on the ward by about 30 years and surrounded by women wanting to tell me their whole life story. I could have been at university writing sports stories and videoing events, but no, I was in my own personal hell; the hospital version of Loose Women.

Post surgery selfie with the monkey mum bought!

The only joy was going down to the operating theatre and being knocked out by the anaesthetic! At least I had a bit of peace and quiet for a couple of hours. But of course, my dearest mother was by my side on the ward, so I sent her away to do the one thing that would take her mind off the operation – Christmas shopping. She’s like a machine!

Coming round after the surgery was hilarious – for the rest of the day, my whole arm was a dead weight. They’d given me a nerve blocker and couldn’t even hold anything in my hand. Turned out to be a bit of a problem going to the toilet though.

Despite being told I’d be in overnight, just 8 hours into my stay, I was happily discharged and flying as high as a kite on medication! This was clearly just the beginning of my recovery, I had no idea what was coming.

Honestly, I don’t think I prepared myself for it very well!

Southern Sirens smash it in Paris!

New Forest-based Cheerleading squad, Southern Sirens, defied setbacks galore to return home as international champions, with 16 European trophies to their name.

Overcoming everything from a missing passport to endless hospital visits due to illness and injury, the squad coped brilliantly under immense pressure, changing patterns and the routines up to 15 minutes before performing.

The Future Cheer event in the French capital was the squad’s first international competition, and placed in the top three in all but one of their 17 routines, despite only having 16 cheerleaders taking part.

Months of hard work and determination came down to single performances on the day, with a range of individual and group routines. The Hampshire team rose to the occasion, winning seven of the categories, including both senior dance routines.

Roxanne Edmonds, Head Coach of the Sirens, said: “Despite the unfortunate setbacks, we have performed amazingly, and the results show it. I’m very proud of the squad and how they were able to adapt to changes so quickly, as well as produce outstanding routines.”

A mixture of gymnastic tumbles, jumps, stunts (or throwing people in the air) and choreography are the key components to a successful routine, but the execution of these moves are what distinguishes the elite teams.

Sirens’ fiercest opponents came from Carshalton Crystals, based on the outskirts of London, and also travelled the English Channel to compete in Paris. However, the local team outwitted their rivals, beating them in most of the categories.

Southern Sirens’ next challenge is in three weeks’ time in Telford, as they take on the UK’s best at the National Championships; with a bid to earn their place on the world stage in their sights, they will be fighting for the title of ‘champions’ even more.

If you would like to get involved in Cheerleading, email roxanneis@hotmail.co.uk for more details. Classes are open from the age of four up to open seniors (anyone over the age of 18) All are welcome.

Whoever said “sport is good” was clearly lying!

Okay, I’m saying this as an athletic and sporty person, but I swear half the time, I’m a walking injury just waiting to happen. I have got to be one of the most accident-prone people known to man.

And to make it even worse, I’m a cheerleader; the most dangerous sport you could do. I’ve be better off playing Rugby with 20 stone men. The problem is that it is what I love doing, whether I’m medically fit or not!

Truthfully, I’m not the only one in our cheerleading squad who’s going to end up crippled for life. Some of us don’t warm up enough before chucking people up in the air, some have bad accidents whilst training, and then there’s me.

I’m the tool who walks down the street after my university lecture in the pouring rain, (wearing boots that have no grip whatsoever…) slips whilst walking round a corner and lands on my wrist. In front of everyone walking back to their halls.

The joys of embarrassment AND injury.

Admittedly, not the worst I’ve done though. Concussion, a broken nose and a frozen shoulder all in one fell swoop, thanks to a training practice incident, and a cheerleader’s arse on my face. Well, I want to do it properly if I’m going to injure myself!

I think the medical staff realised there was an issue when my eyes were going off in different directions, so a trip to A&E was on the cards for that one…

I’m starting to get the feeling I’m going to be that person who ends up having a double hip replacement on the geriatric ward by the time I’m 25!

Whilst waiting to recover from any injury takes time, (and a lot of rolled eyes and sighs when having to watch practice on the side-lines) it takes even longer to get back into training again.

As I’m running around for part of our warm up, I wonder to myself: “Why on god’s earth did I not do any conditioning whilst I wasn’t training?” I can see me collapsing in a heap and hyperventilating, just saying “You guys carry on, I’ll catch up in a minute. Or sometime next week!”

Maybe I’m better off not doing any sport, but that wouldn’t be me. I love a challenge, even if it does involve wrapping most of my body up in blue strapping/tape. I do have a habit of looking a bit mummified when I compete.

But the thrill of it all, broken or not, is what keeps every single one of us going. Life wouldn’t be the same without sport for me, despite having paid for two of my osteopath’s three holidays last year for the amount of treatment I needed!

He’s off to the Seychelles in May whilst me and the cheerleaders are slumming it in ‘sunny’ Southampton…

Cheerleading (and sport in general) is the one thing that I wholeheartedly love every week. We have our little family and we stick together through the amazing highs and the difficult lows. Sport gives us a reason get up in the mornings, and we can’t be more thankful for that!

Even my career path is leading me towards being active – I tell a lie, being a sports journalist is more about watching others pushing themselves to their limits instead of me for once – but surely I’d still be burning calories by seeing someone else sweat!

But at least as the age of 18, I have learnt something: I shouldn’t be allowed to ride bikes. There’s still a dent in the fence down the road from a stabilisers incident 14 years ago.

I’m clearly not balanced on two feet walking down the street, let alone two wheels!