Episode 5 My Team: The Cheerleaders

Three teams. They all want to win.

But only the team that can throw highest, flip fastest

and pull off jaw-dropping stunts will take home the prize.

First place goes to...

They'll have to be totally fearless,

because the journey ahead could make...or break them.

Forget pompoms, THIS is the world of cheerleading.

We've spent the last four months following three of

the UK's top cheerleading teams, as they train

to compete against each other

to win a major cheerleading championship.

Now, they're going head-to-head as training time is over,

and the day everyone has been waiting for

and working for has finally arrived.

It's competition day, I'm really excited

to go out and smash a perfect, clean routine.

It's our first competition and we want

to prove to everyone we are good and we've worked hard.

To compete, that's what everyone's in it for, to compete,

to try hard, to win the first place trophy.

Today, all three teams are joining hundreds of cheerleaders

from across the country in Birmingham, for one of

the biggest competitions in the cheerleading calendar.

Unity Allstars...

Rising Stars...

and Ascension Eagles have

worked their hardest to perfect the tough jumps,

stunts and tumbles that make up a cheerleading routine.

They've all battled against the odds, overcoming injury

and digging deep to be here today.

They are the only three teams in their division,

so competition is direct and fierce.

But with just two-and-a-half minutes on the floor,

there's no room for mistakes.

Now, it's all or nothing.

Coming Up...

injury hits Eagles' top tumbler, Zach...

nerves make the Rising Stars crumble...

and could Unity's championship dreams be shattered?

East London is home to

European Cheerleading champions Ascension Eagles.

Team-mates Layla and Lillie are packing

for today's National Championship.

Lillie is one of the team's star flyers,

but has struggled all season with her stunts.

Today, the Eagles are competing for the first time this season,

and she's worried the team have left it too late to be on winning form.

I think we need a few more practices, cos I like to

go to competition confident, instead of worrying.

We should have worked harder at the beginning instead of right now,

because we would have been perfect.

Come on, Lillie, let's go.

The team are meeting coaches Angela and Gareth

at Eagles HQ, ready to make their two-hour journey north.

Any more athletes that need wristbands, come get one.

Today is the big day obviously, it's our competition,

and I'm feeling really excited and I'm just, like, buzzing,

I just want to get to the arena.

But not everyone's as confident

about the competition as Zach.

"Anxious" is the word for today,

it's been a good couple of weeks' build-up,

and this week's been especially good,

but for me, everything's a little bit good...too late.

I'm really hoping we get in first, but I'm...kind of nervous.

There's no going back now!

It's time to get on the bus and head to the competition.

We leave now, and then drive to Birmingham and win trophies.

# We're all in this together... #

200 miles away, the Manchester-based Rising Stars

are on their way to the competition.

# We're all in this together... #

The Rising Stars have already won

their first competition of the season.

First place...Rising Stars!

THEY SCREAM

So 11-year-old Freya and her team-mates are riding high.

Really excited but nervous at the same time.

We've got a really good routine, but it all depends

if we hit or not.

THEY LAUGH AND SING

-I think we'll be all right because we have trained a lot.

-Yeah.

I'm not feeling that nervous.

# The champions are us. #

-We're going to win.

-Rising Stars are going to win.

We. Are. Going. To. Win. Today.

SHE CLICKS FINGERS

-What's all this about?!

-Sassy!

Some Rising Stars are already in Birmingham getting ready.

For 15-year-old Emily, the prep routine

includes her medicine as well as her make-up.

Cos it's a competition it doesn't mean

I don't have to take all my tablets.

I've still got to take them all through the day.

Cos I have a chronic disease

called cystic fibrosis, this affects my lungs.

This season has been tough.

Today means a lot, because being able to do this competition

definitely proves I won't be beaten by cystic fibrosis.

I'm looking forward to showing everyone

that Rising Stars can pull out an amazing routine.

But today's competition is going to be hard for everyone -

because every team wants to win.

Who do you think the main competition will be today?

-I think it will be Unity.

-They're a really strong team.

-They're amazing.

-They hit perfectly

every competition they go to, they're really clean and everything.

Unity Allstars are last season's reigning champions

and the team everyone's looking to beat today.

For new Allstar 12-year-old Ajay,

it's the first time he's ever competed nationally.

Today is a big day for our team cos we're up against

Ascension Eagles and Rising Stars.

I really, really want to win.

Two weeks ago, Unity Allstars smashed their competition

at the Southern Regional Championship.

First...Unity Allstars!

SCREAMING

And news of Unity's knockout routine has reached their rivals -

the Ascension Eagles.

Everything's different to ours, but they've got the skills that we have.

-Whoa!

-They hit most of it, so it's a good routine from them.

-It's actually really good.

-Going to be close.

-I'm scared!

Unity Allstars have arrived and are ready for battle.

But the pressure's on the team to keep up their winning streak,

and when the competition is so strong,

nerves can even affect the champions.

I'm feeling really excited

but really nervous at the same time, because we are against

two really good teams.

Ascension and Rising Stars, they're amazing,

so it's more pressure for us, cos we know we gotta step up.

One member of Unity hoping to help her team win is 14-year-old Becky,

who's back after breaking her ankle early in the season.

I'm just really pleased and happy,

I'm recovered and I'm really excited.

Becky might be fit for competition,

but there are new injury worries for coaches Tori and Dave -

and lots of them.

We have had a few dramas this week since training.

On Tuesday, Georgia was doing a stunt and she hurt her wrist.

Darcy - really, really ill, her mum wasn't going to bring her.

So, yeah, now I think about it, the realisation is hitting me

that actually I'm probably not in a great place.

Coach Dave knows that now it's down to the team

to support each other.

I'll be honest with you, Darcy's not well.

You need to support and encourage her, same for Georgia,

she's hurt her hand.

-APPLAUSE

-Yes, clap for this.

Support and encouragement! You will be fine.

Captains, look after them, OK? See you soon, guys.

Unity's rival teams Rising Stars and Ascension Eagles arrive

at the arena and are ready to compete -

even if they don't know where they are!

I think we're in Birmingham, not sure.

-We're in Birmingham.

-Yeah, we're in Birmingham.

Yeah, that's it.

The Eagles head straight to see where they are going to compete.

Beyonce has performed at this arena,

but Zach's not sure it's big enough for the Eagles.

The floor looks quite small, I'm not sure.

-Compared to the one we've been training on it looks tiny.

-Yeah.

It's small!

-Cos we're up here!

-Oh, whatever.

The competition is getting closer by the minute,

and all three teams are making final preparations for their big moment.

It's an important day today for Unity's Megan.

Thank you very much, that's lovely.

Cheerleading has meant more to her than going for glory,

as her team has been a big support to her since her dad died.

It is a special day, but sometimes I do get quite sad because of

my dad, he's not here and I have to bring something to remember him.

This is my lucky necklace. It was my dad's and he gave it to me.

So I have it with me all the time now and it brings me good luck.

Just once have I forgotten this, we came second

against Ascension Eagles, so this time I made sure I brought it.

Hair and make-up is done. Now every team needs to warm up,

so they can perform their complex routines safely.

The teams will be judged by

cheerleading experts from the UK and US, and they're tough.

They'll spot every slip and stumble.

Today I'm looking for teams that are strong and confident on the floor.

Cheerleading's a very dynamic, artistic sport,

I want to see teams that have a high degree of difficulty

and a strong level of execution.

You may have had the best practice sessions leading up to today,

but it comes down to today.

Our teams have just two-and-a-half minutes on the floor

to perform their routine.

There's going to be a lot of pressure,

because if anything goes wrong, there's no fixing it.

This team means the world to me, and I think if we go out there,

we will prove to everyone what we're made of.

If we won today it would mean so much, not only to me

but to everyone in the team.

Rising Stars head backstage to run through their routine

for the very last time.

Wasn't nervous this morning, but now it's here, I'm really nervous,

just want to go out and it's all perfect.

COACH: Three, four, five, six, seven, eight...

The team has struggled with their high-level stunts

all season, and now, at the worst possible moment,

their problems are coming back to haunt them.

It doesn't work, you have to squeeze your bum.

My section didn't hit properly,

so we need to make sure we fight for it on the floor.

The team has one last chance to test their tumbles,

and just when it really matters, Aimee loses her nerve.

Throughout training, Aimee has battled with a knee condition

which affects her tumbling.

What's up, chicken? What's up? Why have we got tears?

Come on.

You can do this.

Even though I keep wanting to do it,

I just think it's going to hurt even more.

But Aimee doesn't want to let her team down.

And she pushes herself to conquer

her tumble troubles for the big performance.

Yes, Aimee, good girl!

Right, come round.

Calm down, everybody do their job, and you're fine.

Go out there and enjoy it, that's all you need to do now.

The moment Rising Stars have been waiting for has finally arrived.

ANNOUNCER: Please put your hands together for Rising Stars!

Months of preparation...

illness...

tears...

are now behind them

It's time for the Rising Stars to shine.

UPBEAT HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS

The Stars kick off their routine with some synchronised tumbling.

It's a strong opener, but here comes the tricky stunt section.

CHEERING

And Emily and her team are flying high!

After their months of hard work, their stunts are spectacular.

The Stars' teamwork could score big with the judges -

even by landing on their backsides!

Woo, yeah!

And top tumbler James adds his magic, before going for

the part of the routine they've struggled with the most -

the pyramid.

Can they pull it off?

Amazing!

It's all come together for the Rising Stars,

they've put on a show like never before.

CHEERING

That went really well. I'm really pleased with that. Really pleased.

Guys, that was amazing! That was really good.

Every stunt hit, so it's really good.

I think we did really well, I feel amazing.

It was really good.

I'm really tired.

The time has come for the Ascension Eagles

to prepare for their performance.

And an old friend pops by to calm their nerves.

What are you doing?

Early in the season, top coach Kenny

put the Eagles through their paces

with some tough American-style coaching.

Get your thumb under the shoe.

-Feeling strong?

-Yes!

-Feeling clean?

-Yes!

-Filling wicked?

-Yes!

I'm so excited to see the Eagles, I really hope they do well.

It's now minutes to go before they compete,

and just enough time for some final tumble practice.

But as top tumbler Zach warms up, he lands badly on his final tumble.

It looks likes Zach has injured his shoulder.

He's got a bad shoulder, he's just appeared, I don't know.

Not wanting to let his team down, Zach pushes on with the run-through.

But his shoulder is becoming more and more painful,

and he's finding it hard to complete the moves.

He can't carry on, and Emily, the team's physiotherapist,

steps in to give him emergency treatment.

I'm just rushing to try and get it as comfortable

for him for the routine.

Does that feel better when I pushed down?

Yeah, slightly.

It's such a crucial part of the routine,

so we're going to have to try and work hard to get him through it,

and I think he will do it, because he is Zach, he's awesome.

If Zach can't tumble, this will be a disaster for the team.

Reigning champions Unity Allstars are getting ready

to fight for their title.

Coach Tori can see that the team's nerves

are starting to get to them.

A bit nervous because they are panicking, which we do not need.

Guys, come in a sec.

Listen, we are about to go on the full floor,

let's recap what we're going to do. OK?

You guys need to calm down.

Right now you are all like this.

Guys, standing opening tumbles, let's go.

Team Unity are under pressure

to perform a bigger and better routine than ever before.

But just when they need to pull it together, they start to fall apart.

Star flyer Scarlett can't pull off her complex stunt.

Unity's Championship dreams are hanging in the balance.

Guys, listen.

What is this?

This is not a team that's out to win,

this is a team that are nervous and scared and panicking.

You guys need to calm down. That is not going to win.

Scarlett's lift, let's go.

Seven, one, three...

Vital points could be lost

if Scarlett's group can't keep her in the air,

sp they have one last chance to crack it or it's out of the routine.

It's out, it's cut.

It's a shame, but she can't do her stretches,

her foot's like that, it's cut.

With seconds to go before the performance,

head coach Tori takes drastic action

and drops a stunt from the routine.

All the team can do now

is hope their performance will be enough to win.

Time has come for the Ascension Eagles to take to the stage,

and despite Zach's shoulder injury

he is pushing on for the sake of his name.

I am so, so proud of you.

So go for it, 100%, forget everything else.

Just be the routine, sell it, own it,

and perform like I know you can, all right?

Good luck, see you on the other side.

Do your best.

All they can do now is hope that their best is good enough to win.

Ascension Eagles.

CHEERING

Months of training...

disasters..

injuries..

are now all in the past.

What matters

is now.

The Eagles are off to a great start.

And despite his injury Zach is smashing his tumbles.

Next up, it's the stunts.

And Lilly is on fire.

CHEERING

The team are tearing up this routine.

CHEERING

Now it's time for the all-important tumble section.

It is Harry's first-ever championship tumble

and he nailed it.

Yes!

Come on!

Now for the hardest section of all, the show-stopping pyramid.

All through training they have struggled with this showpiece.

But just when it really matters the Eagles crack it.

If they keep this up through the dance section

this could be a winning routine.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

There they go, ladies and gentlemen, give them a big round of applause.

That was terrible, everybody was hurting themselves,

but on the floor it looks good, and felt that it was good.

They did really well, I'm very proud of them, very happy.

It deserves not even to come first place, like, past first place.

Rising Stars and Ascension Eagles

have each pulled off the performance of a lifetime.

Now the pressure is on like never before for the Unity Allstars.

This is the only thing I'm going to say.

Go out there at have fun. OK?

Go out there and be the best you can be, and enjoy it. Quick hands in.

Then we're going.

THEY CHANT

Good luck, guys.

All eyes are on the reigning champions.

Welcome onto the floor,

Unity Allstars Pearl.

They have battled their toughest ever season.

They have everything to live up to.

But success in the past means nothing.

Unity explode onto the floor with synchronised tumbles.

And here comes their stunt section,

which flyer Olivia totally blows out of the water.

Unity are keeping their routine tight to wow the judges.

So far the routine is going to plan.

But with Tori's last-minute changes,

will they be able to pull off their ambitious pyramid section?

Everything rests on what happens now.

With Megan at the centre, the team's pyramid is sensational.

Like the other teams,

Unity have pulled off a spectacular performance,

but will it be enough to win?

CHEERING

There we go, ladies and gentlemen,

give them a big round of applause,

Unity Allstars.

They were really good.

It went really well,

I couldn't have asked for the girls to be any better,

they were absolutely amazing, we hit absolutely everything.

Thee performances are over,

and our teams have given it their all.

But winning or losing,

will all boil down to who the judges decide are best.

You know what I love about today's performance,

is I really feel like every team was at their best,

Rising Stars did a great job,

they showed a lot of improvement from last season.

Ascension probably had the run of a lifetime,

I think that they really stepped it up today,

and gave an amazing performance

and a lot of athletes had a personal best,

and then Unity, they really captured the crowd,

they had tremendous energy.

It was a close competition.

Between first and second there was less than a point,

it was 0.5 difference between the two.

So, really, really close.

Now the scores are in and the time has come to reveal the results.

It's the moment everyone has been waiting for.

Fingers crossed that we've won, we're really excited to find out.

It's going to be so close.

But after months of hard work, which team will be crowned champion?

We now go to Junior Coed 3.

There are three in this category.

In third place,

please put your hands together...

..for...

Rising Stars.

CHEERING

Well done.

Now we have the top two.

In second place,

this year, Junior Coed 3,

second-place trophy,

2014, the award goes to...

..Ascension Eagles.

CHEERING

Therefore the winner

of the Junior Coed Team 2014

goes to Unity Allstars Pearl.

CHEERING

I'm so excited.

I'm so happy now, I can just relax and I'm going to sleep tonight.

So chuffed, brilliant day.

It couldn't have gone any better.

They consistently perform well,

they deserve to consistently do well.

So, Unity are crowned champions.

But everyone can be proud of their amazing achievements today.

We're definitely all proud of each other, aren't we?

We know we've worked all so hard,

we're just really thankful that all our hard work paid off.

They put out a really good routine, I'm really proud of them for that.

It's so wonderful when everybody can win and lose at their best,

and I think that is what we saw today.

The Eagles may be beaten by half a point, but they are not defeated.

We all tried our best, I am really proud of everyone.

Unity were better on the day,

and no team minds losing to the team that's better than them on the day.

The best team won today, they were really good, sharp.

Well done, you're amazing. Just proud of the team.

I think Unity really deserved to come first,

cos they really did work hard. But now we are coming to get them.

The best is yet to come.

For Unity captain Lilly

this is her team's moment and she couldn't be happier.

I am 100 million percent proud of my team.

Cheerleading is all about laughter,

having fun, fighting for what you love doing.

I could never live life without cheer.