Passion for Cheers

a surprising outlook on the unknown word of Cheerleading

Cheerleading is normally associated with the US and as a discipline supporting other sports, mainly by chanting and dancing. If this was the origin of the sport, which started in 1898 at the University of Minnesota, this sport came long way and, in our days, developed into a unique practice, a mix of gymnastic, dancing and acrobatics that will make you jump on your chair.

On July 2021, the International Olympic Committee voted in favour of granting full recognition to the International Cheer Union and cheerleading.

The new status means that an Olympic host nation is now able to select Cheerleading for inclusion at its games.

The International Cheer Union Association, which was established on 26 April 2004 and is the recognized world governing body of Cheerleading and comprises of 117 members National Cheer Federations / 7.5 million athletes on all 7 continents.

The interesting fact is that between the 117 members are some unexpected countries like like Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Viet Nam and UAE and many more.

In January 2023, I started the project, travelled to Viet Nam and spent a few days around Ho Chi Minh City photographing the training sessions but mainly creating a series of single and group portraits of the Saigon Beast, which are the first cheerleading squad in Viet Nam.

They only formed 10 years ago and Hung, founder and now coach, spent his last 10 years trying to learn technics, initially via Youtube and mainly spreading his passion for the sport to younger generations.

Following the same approach, in June 2023 I went to Lagos, Nigeria where I meet the incredible Nigeria Cheers and once again, I created a series of portraits of the young athlete during the training session and in the middle of an area called Yuba, in downtown Lagos.

In September 2023 I visited Kazakhstan from north to east and met with a few of the amazing local teams and in November 2023 I spent same time with the talented and European Championship, Amazons, a team of Athens, Greece.

My intention is to travel to as many countries I could to document the skills, ability and passions of the local teams but also highlight the special bond within the team, that create an incredible support network comparable to a family.
A joyful and colourful project that will challenge prospective and stereotypes often associated with cheerleading and some of the mentioned countries.