Competitive cheerleading squads forming in New Kent

New Kent Gymnastics Center is inviting all interested children to tryout for the Virginia Gems All-Star competitive cheerleading squads. Teams will be broken up by age and ability, and no experience is necessary to tryout.

Registration starts April 8 and tryouts are April 26-27. Children as young as 5 can tryout for the competitive program, and kids ages 2½-4 will be placed on an exhibition team.

Current middle and high school cheerleaders are encouraged to tryout to build on their current skills and increase their difficulty in a safe way. Competitive Cheer is an exciting and demanding sport bringing together tumbling, dance, stunting, performance and athleticism.

“Offering a program like this will elevate New Kent cheer at the middle school and high school level as well,” says owner Carissa Baldwin. “Most other localities New Kent schools compete against have active private cheer clubs that are training them in addition to their school practices. They have been working their skills since they were in elementary school, by the time they are in high school they are at a very high level. If we want to be successful statewide, this will help give them the best opportunity.”

New Kent Gymnastics Center choreographed New Kent High School’s competitive team’s routine this year. More information is available at www.newkentgym.com and by calling 557-3855.