The group came first in seven different categories, second in two others and won the Grand Champion Banner at the NSW State Champion-ships in Penrith on Sunday, Septe-mber 14.

The team will go on to compete at the Australian Championships in Brisbane in November.

It was the first time the All Stars entered the competition.

Coaches Kassandra Brown and Derrick Turner started the team and run an American-style cheerleading gym in Gateshead – the first in Newcastle.

Both are accredited American-style cheerleaders and Miss Brown said the sport involved a lot of skill and proficiency.

“There’s throwing, flipping, stunting, tumbling and pyramid building.

“The routines are highly dynamic with no rests.”

The All Stars have come a long way since November from starting with only four kids that practiced at Dixon Park to more than 75 members at present.

The teams are split up in three groups – seniors (14 years and over), teens (11 to 18 years) and juniors (14 years and under) with the majority of members being female.

“I want to stress that cheerleading is for both girls and boys.

“It’s a very interesting sport and very different to anything we have in Australia,” Miss Brown said.

To find out more about the East Coast All Stars or to join visit www.eastcoastallstrs.net, email eastcoastallstars@hotmail.com or phone 0413 218 963.

– KYLIE ADORANTI