A YOUNG girl from Wolsingham is preparing to compete on the world stage in her chosen sport.
Nine-year-old Ruby Clarke, a pupil at Wolsingham Primary School, has been a member of the
Derwent Valley Allstars Cheerleading Club since she was five years old. She took part in her first
competition shortly after her sixth birthday and very quickly showed a remarkable flair for the sport,
competing in divisions above her age. There are 16 members of the team – boys as well as girls.
Ruby still attends her mother, Kerry-Ann O’Neill’s, dance classes when she can but now trains
with her cheerleading club in Leadgate four times a week. She is what is known as a ‘flyer’ and this
results in extra rehearsals for balance and strength because Ruby is the one who is held up and
thrown up in the air during the performances.
Recently, Ruby and her Under 12 team competed in their first international competition held in
Germany. Their performance was outstanding with the second highest level 1 of the whole
competition, just behind an Under 16 team and with the third highest score out of every team across
the whole weekend – again behind two Under 16 teams.
Ruby’s team learned yesterday that their performance has earned them the opportunity to
compete in the Youth Summit to be held in Florida, USA, next year. The club has had success in these
championships over the years with older age teams but this is the first time with an under-12 team.
Her mother, Kerry-Ann, said she loves the sport and is looking forward to the event in Florida
next April.
Well done to Ruby and her team-mates – and good luck in the USA.
