finishing third and fourth at Australian National Championships, a first placing in the Virtual Internationals Championships as well as the recent placings at Winterfest,” Suzanne said. “We also measure our success by watching our athletes build their team skills and individual confidence, strength and resilience.” Cheerleading, akin to many other sports, develop so many more skills than just those specific to the sport. “Cheerleading teaches athletes strong team values,” Suzanne said. “Athletes learn how to trust each other and the importance of team commitment. In cheerleading there are no superstar athletes, all athletes have a purpose and have individual skills they need to reach. This teaches our athletes the importance of showing
up and doing the work, to not only help them push through their own challenges but to show up and support their team mates. It builds important life skills and it’s great fun.” Routines include standing and running tumbling, jumps, stunting and pyramids, finishing with a dance break and back when Josie first set up the squad, she was quick to point out it is a sport for anyone. “Eight of the people who competed at that first Winterfest started cheerleading with no dance or gymnastics background,” Josie said. “That’s the beauty of it, you don’t have to be a certain size or shape. Every single person is important to the team. Everyone has their strengths and is better at something than someone else.” Purple Thunder is currently preparing their four teams for the Aussie Gold State Championships at the end of August, then they will return to Adelaide in October for the Aussie Gold Internationals Competition. The final competition for the year is the Cheercon State Championships in November and after that final competition it is straight back to work in December to start preparing for Team Placement Days for 2023. Purple Thunder have Recreational Tumble Classes that train once a week and in those classes athletes learn foundational tumble skills which is a great starting point, including cartwheels, forward and backward rolls, front and back walkovers.
They also run a Conditioning & Flexibility Class, which is cheer specific. Purple Thunder’s competition athletes train two and a half hours a week plus any additional classes they are doing on top of their team training. “All our competition athletes complete Recreational Tumble class for 1-4 Terms minimum before joining a competition team so now would be the best time to get started,” Suzanne said, suggesting anyone interested in giving cheer a try message the facebook page so Josie and Suzanne can match you with the best class for you. “Cheerleading is a very good physical activity and you really build friendships and build your own self confidence,” Josie said. THIS PAGE TOP: Team Storm MIDDLE: Team Warriors BOTTOM: Team Hurricane
COONAWARRA CELLAR DWELLERS VARIOUS CELLAR DOORS COONAWARRA July 1-31
BACKSTAGE INC. EISTEDDFOD DANCE, MUSIC, DRAMA & SPEECH SIR ROBERT HELPMANN & WEHL STREET THEATRES • MT GAMBIER From July 10
FULL THROTTLE IN WATTLE (SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM) VARIOUS TIMES & LOCATIONS Until July 22
MR SNOTBOTTOM (CHILDREN’S COMEDIAN) ROBE INSTITUTE July 20
BACKSTAGE INC. EISTEDDFOD CALISTHENICS SIR ROBERT HELPMANN THEATRE MOUNT GAMBIER July 21-24
DAVE GRANEY & CLARE MOORE ALBUM LAUNCH PORTLAND ARTS CENTRE July 23
OPP. PAGE TOP: Team Storm in action BOTTOM: Team Hurricane in action
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELIZA COLE
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