IWAKUNI CITY, Japan -- Matthew C. Perry High School hosted the Far East cheerleading tournament for 12 Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Pacific schools at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Feb. 23, 2019.
Twelve cheer teams compete for their division championship with the help of National Cheerleaders Association (NCA). The importance of this week-long event is to provide athletes with teamwork and sportsmanship, but most importantly to make young leaders during cheer camp.
“Being around for the last 23 years in cheerleading with NCA, I have found so many benefits for young men and women in cheerleading. It challenges you on an athletic level that you probably would have not guessed,” said Brian Cao, Director of training education for NCA and head instructor of choreography division for Far East cheerleading competition. “I feel like when we come in, we get to see the great side of the camp and really build them up. And we built it to a very friendly competition sense.”
The DoDEA sponsors the NCA to administer the Far East competition, training cheerleaders in various routines and athletic stunts. The cheerleaders came into a final competition after 4 days of cheer camp where they apply fundamental skills they learned such as acrobatics, stunts, and most importantly, safety. Kubasaki High School from Okinawa, Japan took home the Division 1 championship along with the Division 2 champion Daegu High School from Camp Walker, Korea.
“The Far East Cheerleading competition is a great opportunity for our kids, and athletics are limited, so it’s important especially for our female athletes.” said Francine Imriy, a teacher and cheer coach for Daegu High School. “I just want to thank Matthew C. Perry High School. They did a great job hosting this event. You have a really nice community and I hope to come back next year.”
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