Training 10 hours a week has paid off for a Keilor student who made Australian cheerleading history in April.
Overnewton Anglican Community College student Rebecca Reissis, 17, has just returned from the World Cheerleading Championship at Disney World as part of a 24-member Australian contingent.
The Down Under crew finished second out of 29 countries, the first time Australia has reached the top three.
Reissis honed her cheerleading skills at school after giving up gymnastics – in which she represented Victoria several times – because of an ankle injury.
She trains six hours a week with her local team, plus three hours on her own, focusing on tumbling and strength training.
“I have always been interested in cheerleading. When I decided to retire from gymnastics, I wanted to look into starting a new sport where I could make good use of the skills I had already acquired from years of gymnastics.
“That’s when I rediscovered cheerleading,” she said.
“I also decided I wanted to begin to focus more on my studies and not miss out on as much school.
“I am planning on going to the US for a year to compete on an American [cheerleading] team for a season.
“After I get back I hope to go to ACU (Australian Catholic University) and do a bachelor in paramedicine and nursing.”
Details: cheerunion.org/home/
