A talented team of 79 cheerleaders and dancers are in Melbourne this week representing QUT at the AASCF National Cheer and Dance Championships.
The event is the biggest on the sport’s annual calendar and provides athletes with the opportunity to compete against the best of the best, with 22 universities from across the country in attendance.
QUT Cheer and Dance is one of the university’s many sport and social societies and has competed at regional, state and national events for over 10 years.
In Melbourne, QUT teams will be competing in level 1, 2 and 3/4 cheerleading, and across the dance styles of hip hop, jazz, lyrical and pom.
The 2023 AASCF All Star Nationals is on at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from November 23 to 27.
** November 28 results update: Nine teams from QUT Cheer and Dance have had top three podium finishes at the Nationals! Second place: Plutonium (Advanced Level 3/4 Cheerleading team), Krypton (Level 3 Stunt group), and Xenon (Lyrical duo). Third place: Neon (Beginner Level 1 Cheerleading Team), Lithium (Uni Lyrical team), Mercury (Open Uni Jazz team), Iodine (Level 3 Stunt group), Helium (Lyrical duo) and Radon (Pom duo). **
Club treasurer Rachel Williams, who is studying business and IT, said QUT Cheer and Dance had received a grant from QUT Student Engagement to help them attend the nationals, after great performances at two major events during Semester 2 – the State Championships and UniGames.
“All nine of our teams placed in the top three at the State Championships – and our Beginner Level 1 Cheer team were crowned state Champions – and at the UniGameswe placed second overall in the cheer division,” she said.
“Our advanced 3/4 cheerleading team also took home a gold medal at UniGames.
“We also competed at the recent Spring Carnival Championships where our jazz team Golden Girls were awarded first place and we were named the University Dance grand champions, which recognised the highest scoring routine across all university dance divisions/styles.
“At the last Nationals we had four teams claim fourth place – this year we have come back hungrier than ever to get on the top three podium!
“QUT Cheer and Dance includes students from across all faculties of the university, ranging from first year undergraduates to members about to receive their PhDs.
“The majority of our members come from outside creative industries degrees, as we support an environment for all of our athletes to continue a passion they have developed through their childhood, or find a new sport and make some amazing new friends!”
Pictured at top of page: QUT Cheer and Dance’s Intermediate Level 2 team ‘Titanium’ at the 2023 State Championships in September. The team has now also gone on to claim fourth place at the 2023 Nationals in Melbourne.
QUT Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, media@qut.edu.au
- After hours, 0407 585 901 or media@qut.edu.au
