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Local cheer team moving on to national finals

Image supplied by Premier Academy Cheerleading & Tumbling Fort McMurray/Facebook.

Premier Academy Fort McMurray will be cheering their way to the national championships.

Their Youth cheerleading team, Midnight, has qualified for the 2023 Canadian Finals in Niagara Falls, Ont.

Owner Kierra Pelz said they earned a spot through their performance at the Cold Snap Cheer & Dance Championships in Edmonton on Jan. 21-22, 2023.

“The determination this team has shown and the commitment of their coaches, Ceiandra Lyons and myself has been outstanding.”

Pelz said Cold Snap is the only event in the province where teams can qualify for nationals.

She added Midnight will join 30 other Canadian teams from Levels 1-4 with an opportunity to win a national championship, with each member of the cheer team receiving an iconic jacket.

Originally based in Red Deer, Premier Academy Cheerleading & Tumbling opened a gym in Fort McMurray in 2018.

Pelz called cheerleading a powerful vehicle, which enables young athletes to not only increases one’s technical skill, but teaches leadership through character development.

“We are trying to do more than just teach kids how to flip and tumble. We are building community leaders and extraordinary young people who are valuable team members.”

She said “seeing their athletes grow into exceptional young adults is at the foundation of everything they do.”

The 2023 Canadian Finals in Niagara Falls begins on April 16.