FEATURE STORIES

The collaboration that lifts all

In the large hall of the English School, there is a flurry of activity. Someone takes off, jumps straight into the air and lands softly in the arms of their teammates. Teamwork, technique and precision – all in a split second.

– Cheerleading is an extreme team sport. Everyone in the team has to trust each other, otherwise it doesn't work, says Ida Lindberg, sports manager and coach of the association.

We're on hand during one of this week's practices to get an insight into the fast-growing sport, both in Skellefteå and in Sweden. For many, cheerleading is associated with cheers and pompoms from American high school movies – but inside the gym, it's a different world order. Ida laughs when the stereotypical image of cheerleading comes up.

– We compete in our own sport, we don't cheer for other teams. It's a combination of gymnastics, stunts, pyramids, throws and choreography. We definitely have pompoms and cheers, but beyond that, it takes a lot of coordination and cooperation. Everyone's involvement affects the team and there is a sense of unity beyond anything I have experienced. There is a strong bond in the teams, you have to be thrown up in the air and trust that those down there will catch you. There is a lot at stake then, says Ida.

Cheerleading is one of the few sports where all body types and physical abilities have a place.

– It's about what you can do, not what you look like. And if you want to learn, you can, says Ida.

In Sweden, cheerleading has grown rapidly in recent years, largely thanks to the sport becoming part of the Swedish Sports Confederation in 2019. With that came more opportunities to develop – both through financial support and through collaborations with SISU, for example.

– It was a real recognition for the whole sport, says Ida.

Skellefteå Cheerleading Athletics is one of the larger associations in Norrland, and they have had great success. Among other things, they have taken silver in the National Championships 2019, bronze in 2018 and gold in 2013. When Ida started as an active member of Skellefteå Cheerleading Athletics in 2007, there were only two teams and about 25 active members in the association. Today they have 11 teams and almost 200 athletes.

– We could have grown even more because the pressure is great, but we want to do it in a sustainable way. The training sessions should be of high quality, and everyone should feel seen, she says.

The association's next big step is the move to the new sports hall belonging to Sunnanåskolan, which will provide even better conditions for both training and competition when it is opened in 2026.

– It feels completely unreal that we get our own hall that is adapted for us and gymnastics. It will make a big difference to our development. I see that we will continue to grow because it opens up for more training times and thus more places. As it is specially adapted, it also means that we will develop faster in terms of quality – all this feels great, it's something we've dreamed of for a long time, says Ida.

During a training session, it is clear how important teamwork is and the training sessions follow a common thread where the level of difficulty is built up gradually.

– It is important to hurry slowly. We work a lot with progression - first you work from the ground, then knee height, then waist height and finally even higher up. It's about feeling safe, says Ida.

This is also one of the reasons why serious injuries are relatively rare in the association. There have been the occasional broken arm or concussion, but safety always comes first.

– It's easy to want to rush forward and try out difficult stunts straight away, but we make sure the basics are in place. This makes our athletes last longer, says Ida.

Ida started as a coach in 2012 and became sports director the following year. For her, the best part of the job is following her athletes through the years.

– Seeing someone start at the simplest level and then develop to be able to do advanced stunts and compete at a high level is cool. It often feels unreal how far they get, but with the right training it goes faster than you think, she says.

The competitions are an important part of the sport, but for Skellefteå Cheerleading Athletics, participation has always been based on the association's values.

– We want to be a safe place where everyone feels welcome. You should feel good, have fun and feel that you are important in the team. It's something we're very proud of, says Ida. In a sport where there's a lot at stake, it's especially nice to know that a teammate is always there to catch you.

Text: Daniel Bergeman

Photo: Jonas Westling