Mention the word cheerleaders, and one would most likely imagine a group of girls holding pom poms on the sidelines cheering on sports athletes. However, any good observer of cheerleading would be aware that they do just as much work during matches. And sometimes, they need some cheerleading themselves.
This is where supporters come in.
And at CHEER 2010, they came in droves. Armed with noisemakers, blowhorns and all manner of noise pollutants, there was never a silent moment as they lent their support to their schoolmates. Support which required months of planning and practice sessions even.
Nobody knows this more than the supporters from SMK Damansara Jaya, which is represented by two teams this year in the forms of Dynamitez and newcomers Mickeymitez All-Boys. They may not be competing, but they are just as serious about cheerleading as the teams.
“We started getting the supporters team together in April,” said Daena Marissa binti Iqbal Hakim, a hardcore veteran. “As the event drew closer, we became increasingly engrossed, even skipping classes after recess to make merchandise.”
Muhammad Syazwan, Stomper supporters team captain, concurs. Cheerleading does not receive much support from the administration of his school, SMK Bandar Utama (3). Thus, the teams acted as if they were a separate entity of the school and relied on themselves to make transport arrangements. Yet, their love of the sport overshadowed the obstacles they faced.
“We had to provide buses to ferry around 200 supporters to Bukit Jalil. We raised the funds to rent the buses from sales of merchandise and food.”
The lack of support did not just came from members of staff, but their peers as well. Day 1 was an especially stressful time for Daena. Many attendees usually skip the first day of competition because they assume the finals would be more exciting.
“Yesterday’s turnout was embarassing.” she laments. “We tried calling everybody but they were giving a lot of excuses.”
Fortunately, they made up for it today, decked in custom-made headbands decorated with small dynamites and Mickey Mouse ears. Amongst the other supporters, the Dynamitez and Mickeymitez supporters teams definitely stood out.
The meticulously-crafted merchandise is just one of the examples of the love the supporters share for cheerleading. Others, like Lim Pei Yee and Ooi Soo Yin, show it through their staying power.
Both of them have been members of the supporters team since Form 1. Now 16, they helm the positions of captain and co-captain respectively. This year, they have the added pressure of retaining the Best Supporters crown.
“Cheerleading enjoys a huge following in our school,especially from the First Formers,” said Lim Pei Yee. “The title of Best Supporters from last year actually encouraged more of them to join out team.”
Hazirah Syaza and Low Huei Chuen, attributes their passion to another reason altogether. The captains of the Shirtlift supporters team are cheerleaders themselves.
“Participating in the same sport, we develop a deep connection to the team,” said Hazirah. “Eventhough we are just exhibition cheerleaders, that does not stop us from supporting our team.”
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