Local world cheer champ to run skills clinic

A DUAL world champion in cheerleading, Bendigo’s own Maddy Theobald will run a special clinic in her hometown on Sunday 5 November.

The clinic at Golden Square-based Cheer ‘n Dance in Hattam Street continues Maddy criss-crossing the country to give tips on her sport.

A big year has included training sessions with Team Australia’s coaches and team-mates in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

“Those clinics drew more than 600 athletes, which was incredible,” Theobald said.

Now she has a goal is to help those already in cheerleading or keen to try the sport at Sunday’s session.

“It’s the first time I have run a clinic in Bendigo,” Theobald said. “There will be various elements to the sessions aimed at beginners, and more advanced.”

Action begins at 10am.

“There will be stunting, tumbling and jumps, and also a flyers class,” Theobald said.

A gold medal in the all-girls elite class at the ICU World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida last April capped an amazing journey by Theobald and her team-mates.

“It was Australia’s first world championship gold at that level,” she said.

Two years ago, Maddy and the Australian team won gold, but not before hundreds of fans as COVID meant routines were filmed and forwarded to a judging panel.

The quest to be among the world’s best in her sport began more than 16 years ago.

“There were lots of sports I tried, but cheerleading won out,” Theobald said.

Thousands of hours of training involved plenty of trips up and down the Calder Freeway to train in Melbourne.

“To win gold at the worlds meant so much, not just for me, but for all the team,” Theobald said.

The Aussies were up against teams from across Europe and Asia as the cheerleading was run under various drills and combinations.

Now Theobald is keen to help the next wave of cheerleaders.

“I am passionate about the sport and for a routine to click like it did at the worlds was amazing,” she said.

Away from cheerleading, Theobald manages Snap Fitness in Epsom which is one of 230 gyms across Australia and New Zealand.

Earlier this year she was awarded the franchise’s manager of the year.

Costs for the 5 November clinic with Maddy Theobald at Cheer ‘n Dance are $20 flyers only, or $40 stunting, tumbling, jumps.

To register visit bit.ly/CNDSkillsClinic_Athletes.