POM POMS have been at the ready at a Hampshire college after it established its first ever cheerleading squad.

The group of 23 students at Peter Symonds College have been meeting up for weekly training and with the basic skills now under their belts they have just started sharing their performances with other colleges in Hampshire.

Cheerleading was introduced at the college last summer with a one off taster session hosted by the College Sport Maker, Kitty Yarwood. She was overwhelmed not only by the amount of girls who showed up, 22 in total, but also by their enthusiasm to carry on with the activity until the end of the summer term.

When the new academic year began, Cheerleading was timetabled as a regular Wednesday lunchtime and during these sessions they learned a variety of skills including dance, tumbling, jumps and stunts. With more confidence, and some of the basics under their belts, the group decided to continue and formed their own club in January 2015 and they are now working hard to perfect their routine.

College Sport Maker, Kitty Yarwood says, “Cheerleading has been a great success. It has really benefited girls who want to stay active but want to do it in a less traditional way.“ She adds, “As a new sport the group received funding from Sportivate

- Sport Hampshire and IoW- to help towards the costs of a Coach as well as a contribution towards their cheerleader’s uniform and the all-important pom poms.”