Local cheerleader Parnell Davis from Aquinas College Tauranga looks back on her recent win at the Cheerleading World Championships where she represented New Zealand on the national team.

The 17-year-old says winning worlds with her teammates from around New Zealand is her new favourite memory.

“It’s an amazing feeling. Isasf is the hardest cheerleading competition to in. It’s such an honour.”

The competition was at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida.

“ICU World Champions was from April 24-26 and the Cheerleading World Championship was from April 27-29.

“It was so exhilarating,” says Parnell. “Competing on such a prestigious stage and doing it alongside teammates was just magical. It was an honour to represent my country.

“At the beginning of prizegiving, the announcers said there was a tie. We got down to the top three but there were still four teams left.

“All four teams stood up in a circle holding hands. I was holding hands with my best friend, all of us shaking in our boots.

“Before the prizegiving, our coach told us to be happy with whatever place we came. We were told that we had to hit to win, and we had to drop.

“Third place was called out and we were told that there was a tie for second place. One would get medals and the other would get the trophy.

“Once Cheer Sport Shark was called out it was just us and SWAT left. SWAT was the 2023 world champion and was in first place after day one.

“The score rest of the day two and they hit their routine, so we were expecting to be called out next.

“As soon as they called out to us for first place in the nation cup from Canada, the whole team fell to the floor.

“It was the most indescribable feeling. The whole team was screaming of pure joy, it was a moment I will never forget.

“I have been doing cheerleading for 11 years, but I have been travelling up to Auckland for four years. When I was 6 years old, my sister did rhythmic gymnastics at Argos gym, and I would go and watch every week.

“Bay Twisters cheerleading was on at the same time as my sister, so my mum signed me up and I fell in love with it.

“In 2020, I trailed for NZD [New Zealand Development programme] at All Star Legacy Albany up in Auckland, we trained once a week on a Sunday as well as still training with Bay Twisters twice a week in Tauranga.

“At the end of the year, I trailed for Viperz which at the time was a level 6 international open all-girl team and got in.

“In 2021 Viperz was planning on competing at the virtual cheerleading worlds in April, but lockdown happened, so we were unable to submit a video through.

“I didn’t get back up to Auckland that year until October due to the Auckland 2.5 lockdown.

“During this time, we had online trainings which just consisted of basic tumble indoors and conditioning.

“All Star Legacy goes to the cheerleading worlds every two years so in 2022 I continued to train twice a week in Auckland.

“In August 2022 I trialed and got into the Juniors New Zealand team [Jiwis] and the all-girl New Zealand team [All Girl] that was going to worlds 2023.

“In 2023, Viperz, Jiwis and All Girl competed in Orlando at the cheerleading world champs coming home with a 10th, 3rd and 2nd place.

“Later on in that year, there were trials again for 2024 world and I was selected to be in both Jiwis and All Girl.

“We started trialing late October, having to create a routine before nationals to compete and win to get a paid bid to worlds.”

To qualify to represent New Zealand in the world championship, Parnell says the team won the New Zealand Cheerleading Nations and received a paid bid.

This isn’t the first time Parnell has left the country to travel and compete in cheerleading. “I went to Brisbane Australia in 2022 with my dad.

“In New Zealand cheerleading isn’t something you can do professionally but I’m looking at cheerleading scholarships in America for university.”

Parnell isn’t the only local on the winning national team. Tauranga girls Isla Birchem and Sasha Veall are also on the team.

“We all carpool up to Auckland together.

“I love cheerleading because of the people. I’ve met some of my closest friends through cheerleading, we’re all like one big family. Everyone is so supportive; it’s comforting to know that people have your back during and outside of the routine.”

To other aspiring cheerleaders, Parnell says, “To never give up on your dream no matter what others say to you. If someone puts you down, prove them wrong.”