Latest Central Nova Cheer Challenge a record-setter in Truro
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TRURO, NS — Call it the Rath Eastlink “Cheer” Center…or maybe the Rath Eastlink Community “Cheer.”
A total of 128 cheer teams took over Truro’s multipurpose facility and performed with enthusiasm, tumbles, coordination, presentations, smiles and more during the annual Central Nova Cheer Challenge (CNCC) held on February 17th, 18th and 19th .
“We have 128 teams this year, that’s a record for us; We’ve never had that many,” said Jessie Hawkes, co-owner and coach of Truro Allstar Cheer and Tumble, amid Saturday afternoon’s event.
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“We’ve usually got just over 100, sometimes in the 110-120 range, but with all the new clubs coming and seeing how big our event is, it’s attracted a lot of people.”
Additional activity by the CNCC also boosted attendance, Hawkes said, referring to Friday night’s Worlds event.
“That was the first year we did it; It was all the provincial and New Brunswick teams that will represent the East Coast at the World Cup,” Hawkes said. “So we did a big kind of production just for them, just to highlight the East Coast teams and the world program… how far it’s come.
“Last night’s World’s Event was a huge selling point. Everyone wanted to come and be there, so it was great.”
Truro Allstar had six teams competing in the event.
“We have 20 clubs here from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick,” Hawkes said. “Some clubs here could have two teams competing, while other clubs could have more than 20 teams running throughout the day. So there is definitely a huge choice.”
One such club was Integrity Cheer Empire from not too far away Windsor. Coach Maggie Park said they enjoy coming to the RECC for the challenge.
“I love coming to Truro and this venue, it feels so big,” Park said immediately after an awards ceremony on Sunday where their U-12 teams did very well. “This is a great event. I just love seeing every maritime club that comes here; it feels super big and exciting. It’s a great atmosphere.”
Hawkes said the extra teams initially felt a little “overwhelming” for organizers, but that also meant extra excitement and energy, which is a great trade-off.
“It’s getting so big that we’re getting so big that we’re running into 12-hour days just to make everything accessible,” she said, noting the days going from roughly 8 a.m. to 8 p.m
Hawkes said it’s helped by the fact that the cheer teams and their supporters are in and out of the facility.
“It’s a constant flow,” she said.
Thirteen-year-old Addison “Addy” Moody is a member of the Truro Allstar Club. The Millbrook First Nation resident said she had been in high spirits for about eight years.
“I just thought it was a pretty good sport and wanted to try it,” she said. “It’s going great… it’s a good experience.”
When asked what her favorite sport is, Addy gave a very succinct and enthusiastic answer. “The tumbling,” she said. “For sure.”
The Truro Middle School student also spoke about how team and club spirit is a big part of the sport of celebration.
“It’s like everyone is always so nice to each other, and it’s also a good socializing experience,” she said.
Addy joked that CNCC attends just a few minutes from home each year, initially it’s great because it means she doesn’t have to get up too early to be at the competition.
“It’s a lot of fun and this is a really big event,” she said. “It’s a pretty big deal to go out there in front of so many people… especially for the little kids.”
And being able to see friends and family in the audience because it’s hosted in your hometown?
“That sure makes it better,” Addy said.
Hawkes explained that the club will compete in six competitive events during a season, including their own.
“That’s number four for us, so we’re about halfway through[their season]right now,” she said, adding that there are about five to seven events happening throughout Nova Scotia, including the provinces, during a season.
“However, we’re the only ones currently bidding on worlds, which is our selling point,” Hawkes said. “So people are certainly making our competition a priority.”
As for being involved with Truro Allstar Cheer and Tumble, Hawkes noted that they have a website (truroallstarcheerandtumble.com) as well as a Facebook and Instagram page.
“Where people can reach us and we are also in a super accessible place. We’re right at 773 Prince Street across from the police station,” she said of the building, which used to house a bingo hall. “So often people can just walk in… our doors are almost always open.”
