New on the forum

Hi guys

Just want to say hello to everyone and would like to extend an invitation!

I am part of one of the best cheerleading squads in the country and we are based in Bristol. As someone who looks after an unwell mum and dad, and suffers from depression, being a part of the team has been so helpful to me and the families of other people on the team who come from similar families to mine so when i discovered this site, I thought why not! lol.

We are a really family focused team. The athletes are all very close and my team alone has 4 sets of sisters! Our parent committee treat us all like their own kids, and often provide a great support network for us as well as each other. 

As athletes, we do work very hard and you do have to be committed but thats not a bad thing. I see kids on our team aged 5+ and I am always so grateful that they have something to do thats productive and teaches them valuable tranferable skills. It gives them structure and discipline and a soft place to land outside of school and the home. 

The experiences that my team provides are things that I would never have had a chance to do or enjoy. We are a large extended family and while obviously we want to recruit more members for our program to grow, I am genuinely inviting people to come along because I know how much cheerleading has helped me and other kids on our team. 

I do suffer from depression and am a recovering anorexic. taking part has and continues to make me a healthier and happier person inside out. Feeling needed as part of a team is so different to feeling needed as a carer. Those few hours of training a week get me out of the house and allow me to be somewhere where I don't have any weight on my shoulders or having to think about someone else other than me. 

Its great for young people and great for parents too because you build a new network of friends and are able to support each other. Honestly, the mums and dad's on our team are hilarious and always have a good time. It's just as fun for them as it is for us. 

Im sorry ive rambled on for so long lol I just really love my team and can't put into words how amazing it has been for me, my self esteem and my confidence. It's the one place where I don't ever worry about looking after anyone else...just me.

I will share more about my family and myself later. Very happy to have found this site :)

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