Parents take up cheerleading to combat loneliness

A group of parents decided they "had enough of waiting in the car" and started their own cheerleading group to combat isolation.

Since then, with an age range of 18 to 59, the Phoenix Stars Masters cheerleading team in Salisbury, Wiltshire, is winning awards and creating lifelong friendships.

The team members say the sport is helping them to feel less lonely and isolated as parents.

"I spent the first year driving my children here and sitting in the car park," said Imogen Ratcliffe. "When the opportunity for try-outs came, I thought, I'm going to get out of the car."

"I've been a stay-at-home mum for 10 years. It's quite isolating," she added.

"Other than other mum friends, you don't really get out, you don't do much, so coming out of my comfort zone, meeting new people and finding somewhere you belong is really nice."

Programme director Jane Usher said: "We used to have parents secretly training and surprising their children. One year, we just had such a great group of parents who didn't want to stop.

"The friendships they make, they go out together a lot, there's always someone to talk to."

She said the group "helps with loneliness and isolation and helps with self confidence".

Elmo Shorland got involved through his daughters after putting together a surprise showcase for them.

He said cheerleading was the "best thing I do".

"Once you start, you don't want to stop. I'm a cheerleading builder. Build by day, cheerleading by night," he said.

"We've had some men come and go but girls are always going to outrun us. It should be a blokes' sport now, it's been gong on long enough."

Ratcliffe added: "To be competing, competitive sports, at our time of life is an opportunity that I didn't think I'd have again.

"Coming here is a break, this is my time."

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