Four cheer athletes from Tsawwassen will be taking their talents to the world stage in Florida this spring.
Ava Fuerniss, Harlo Dolejsi, Peyton Ward and Abby Kinghorn are among 28 athletes from across the province on Youth Team BC that will be representing Canada at the 2023 International Cheer Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championships, slated for April 19 to 21 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.
All four are from Tsawwassen’s Elite Kids Cheer and Tumbling, under coach Lexi Dusessoy.
It was nine months ago when the hard work began as Dusessoy started training the teens for tryouts. In May, a video routine was submitted to judges and they were selected as one of the groups to represent Youth Team BC.
In mid-December, the B.C. team then tried out to represent Canada in Orlando. A month later, the girls learned their video application was successful.
Now the build-up to the big trip is well-underway from tune-up competitions to fundraisers.
The squad will be showcased at the upcoming BC Sport Cheer’s Provincial Championships in Victoria (March 3 to 4), as well as the Sea to Sky International Cheer and Dance Championship in Vancouver on April 1.
Various fundraising events include a community hot chocolate and baked goods sale on Sunday (Feb. 26) at the Ladner Sport Court from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The girls are also hosting a cheer champ on March 18 at their gym while a Yuk Yuk’s comedy show, sponsored by Hamilton and Company, on April 1 at the Tsawwassen Legion is already sold out.
Anyone wishing to donate for the trip or for additional sponsorship opportunities can contact Sarah Fuerniss at [email protected].
