Scotland’s largest school-based cheer team, based in Midlothian, is appealing for sponsors to help break down cost barriers and make dance accessible to all.
The award-winning Newbattle Community High School Tigers cheerleading and dance programme has grown significantly since its launch – from around 30 cheerleaders to around 120 today.
It is run on a voluntary basis by staff and senior pupils, who give up more than 150 hours of their time to provide free opportunities to be involved in cheerleading and dance through weekly training sessions, performances, and competitions. Participating pupils gain access to high-quality competitive sport and performance development.
The programme has also driven a real growth in interest in the school’s creative, aesthetic PE and dance pathway, with some classes more than quadrupling in size and an additional highly qualified dance specialist has been recruited to expand these opportunities further.
Headteacher Gib McMillan added: “Thanks to the passion and commitment of our PE and Dance Teacher Amy Duvall and our brilliant school community, the Newbattle Tigers really are going from strength to strength, with more than 10% of our pupils now taking part. The programme exemplifies our school’s AIM Higher values of achievement, inclusion, motivation and respect, and shows how equal access to opportunity can be transformational for young people. It would be wonderful if we can secure more sponsorship, to build on this and provide even more opportunities.”
Amy Duvall, who has championed the growth, added: “We’re so proud to be challenging assumptions about who can access high-quality sport in schools. It is incredibly rewarding to see how much this programme means to so many young people, with pupils telling me it has given them some of the best experiences of their lives.
“However, sustaining this level of inclusive participation requires ongoing support for uniforms, kit and competition costs. We are fortunate to have some backing from some existing sponsors already, but with growing teams, new opportunities and a challenging financial climate for many families, we now need to raise around £3,000 more.”
Encouraging others to get involved, existing sponsor Graeme Chadwick, owner of Eskvalley View Business Directory said: “The cheer team is about more than performances and competitions – it builds discipline, teamwork, leadership, and confidence in a positive environment. The commitment from the teachers is incredible, and we’re proud to support a team that has such a positive impact on students.”
Evidencing the impact on pupils, Chloe Clarke, an S3 Newbattle Tiger leader from Gorebridge said: “Being part of the Newbattle Tigers has given me so much confidence and helped me grow as a leader. Coaching the younger pupils is really rewarding because you get to help them learn new skills and believe in themselves. It feels amazing to be part of such a supportive team where everyone encourages each other to do their best.”
The Newbattle Tigers have competed successfully at a national level across multiple advanced, intermediate and novice cheerleading categories, winning numerous awards. They are the only school team to have entered every category across both the dance and cheer divisions at the Scottish Schools Cheerleading Competition, including pom, hip hop, lyrical and cheer.
They also delivered The Newbattle Cluster Cheer Competition in partnership with Midlothian Council’s Active Schools Programme. The event provided coaching and leadership opportunities for high school pupil leaders, who delivered nine weeks of free activity sessions for primary pupils in local catchment schools.
Carolyn Cameron from Active Schools said: “The outcome was hundreds of primary pupils trying a new activity – many of whom weren’t already participating in other clubs or sports. The competition showcase was inspirational for these pupils to work with high school leaders and perform their routines in front of family and peers; to watch their leaders’ performances and be part of something special.”
Jamie Dougal, Principal Teacher at Easthouses Primary added: “It was hugely positive and very well received in our school. The pupils from our school thoroughly enjoyed the process of practicing on a weekly basis and the performance day. This was a new sport for many and allowed them to perform and be exposed to positive role models within the community.”
Anyone interested in supporting the Newbattle High School Tigers should email [email protected].
To keep up-to-date with the programme’s continued success, follow @newbattle.cheer.and.dance on Instagram.
