The Dynos Legacy Cheerleading Team has wrapped up another successful season of competition, learning, growing and community involvement.
This has been the fifth year the group has been offering competitive cheerleading. Its origins were as a pom squad cheering for the Titans. The next season they became a competitive gym team and were affiliated with DVSS. In June of 2018, the group struck out and became an independent gym.
“We started our own little gym team for the little ones, and it went over so well we posed the questions to parents, asking them what they would think about us becoming a gym team and it was unanimous” said coach Marquita Mcneice.
“We are our own entity now which is nice.”
Mcneice explains the program has been great for the young athletes.
“Why we started it was there were a lot of girls who had low self-esteem and weren’t really physically active. They needed something to do to be physical but in a different way. If they weren’t into team sports, at least they could be involved in something like this. It really helped to build self-esteem,” said Mcneice. “They have become extremely close and are like a little family now.”
She adds there is a place for anybody on the team, male or female and all body types.
As they were building, coach and gym founders, Mcneice and Lorelei Coultes, were also honing their skills attaining the certifications they needed.
Last season they had 18 senior cheerleaders, and in the mini-group (ages 5-11). about 27 athletes.
The seniors competed in four competitions last season and had a strong showing, and the minis did three.
The competition was a little bit different as a gym team. In their first competitions, they performed well, but there were not too many teams entered in their category. In the final competition in St. Albert, they faced tough teams, and while the result was less than what they hoped, it was a learning experience for the team and the athletes.
Mcneice says they are also actively involved in the community. Over Easter, they held Egg My House fundraiser, where they would hide Easter eggs at homes in the community. They held a Halloween contest, along with skills camps, and last week they performed at the Roller Derby event in Drumheller. They have been invited to cheer for the Titans this coming season.
For more information go to www.dynoscheer.com.
