CHEERLEADING
OAKLANDS WOLVES CHEERLEADING ACADEMY
Oaklands College is proud to be launching OUR first Cheerleading Academy in the UK from September 2023
About
New students will be able to study across a range of academic courses including sport, business and A levels.
Head of Basketball Michael Ball who is overseeing the development of this new venture said “recreational and competitive cheer is a fast-growing activity and is now set to be an Olympic sport in the future. The sport attracts individuals from all sorts of activities including dance, gymnastics and trampolining as well as individuals who just want to be part of a new activity and stay fit and healthy. I am really excited to launch this new Academy which will work alongside the already established basketball academy.”
“Having looked at several potential head coaches for the Cheer Academy and visited several clubs and organisations I believe we have found the ideal coach in Ben Vasey-Howe – head of Twisted Cheer and Dance.”
Ben Vasey-Howe studied Dance at the University of Roehampton where he joined the Cheerleading sports club. After graduating in 2012, Ben started putting plans in place to set up his own Cheerleading and Dance company. Twisted Cheer now competes at regional and national competitions every year. In 2022, two of their teams travelled to Florida to attend an invite only competition to compete against the world’s best!
Ben added “for those who might be unfamiliar with Cheer it is a team sport and each routine involves tumbling, stunting (lifting), jumps and dance – all packed into a two and a half minute routine, which culminates into a very fast paced and exciting sport. It is a great sport where everyone can contribute something to the team’s routine.”
“I am really excited to be partnering with Oaklands College and to start this incredibly exciting academy – the first Cheerleading Academy at Oaklands College!”
What will be included...
- Daily cheer training led by Ben Vasey-Howe and his coaching staff.
- Performance opportunities as part of the show at Oaklands Wolves home games.
- National competition opportunities at least twice per year.
- Strength and conditioning programme x 2 per week led by the Colleges professional S&C staff.
- Physiotherapy cover overseen by head of Physiotherapy.
- All training to take place within the Colleges sports zone and on approved Cheer surfaces.
All the above scheduled in alongside your study programme.
How to apply...
The College is now open to applicants for the first-year intake starting September 2023.
To apply please click here to sign up for our try-outs. Oaklands College Cheerleading Academy will cater to beginners as well as those student-athletes who are already serious about their cheer and have the drive and ambition to compete with the best in the world.
COACHES
Meet our coaches…
Ben Vasey-Howe
CHEERLEADING ACADEMY HEAD COACH
Some of Ben’s additional achievements include performing at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics and competing at the Cheerleading World Championships in Florida in 2018 and 2019 where the team placed 8th in the world in their division. Ben is also a cheerleading judge for a major competition provider in the UK.
TEAMS
Oaklands College Cheer team will cater for individuals from beginner up to elite level.
The level (USASF/IASF) that we compete at (level 1 to level 7) will be determined by the individuals that we recruit in year 1 and the decisions made by the coaching staff and cheer team.
However, irrelevant to the competitive level, Oaklands College Cheer Academy will always focus on developing each individual as well as creating a positive successful cheer team environment.