Georgina Reid, 24, Administrator with Turning Point Scotland’s Turnaround Service has been coaching Scotland’s National team to take part in the International Cheer Union Junior World Cheerleading Championships and World Cheerleading Championships in Florida on 19th – 21st April 2023.

Georgina has been competing in Cheerleading competitions for 14 years after starting with Rockstar Cheer and Dance at age 9. Georgina first represented Scotland in the championships in 2018 which saw the ‘pom team’ come in 8th place. Georgina competed again in 2022 which was a successful year for Scotland with the ‘pom team’ coming in 7th place, ‘jazz routine’ coming in 4th place and the ‘adaptive abilities freestyle pom team’ winning gold.

This year, Georgina is taking on a new challenge as a coach for the junior’s team (age 15-18). Her role requires her to select a team from video auditions and try-outs to form her team of 18 dancers. She spends around 6 hours a week outside of her working hours to choreograph routines and then 2-3 hours coaching the team.

Georgina says, “Cheerleading has always been a huge part of my life and I have had to pick jobs that fit around it.” Georgina has worked full time with Turning Point Scotland for over a year at the Turnaround Service. It was a friend that recommended she went for the job as her brilliant people skills as well as her organisational skills would be a great fit for the role that would give her the evenings and weekends she would need to focus on her passion.

“My colleagues love to hear about cheer and are really excited for me.”

The competition in Florida will see over 100 nations compete in a 3-day Olympian style event that starts with an opening ceremony and will end with the winning team’s national anthem being played at a closing ceremony. The top prize is a glass trophy and Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded to the top 3 in each category.

Georgina shared her excitement by saying, “Scotland have always placed in the top 10 and I am really excited to be on the other side of the dance this year and hope we do well.”

Turning Point Scotland wish Georgina and the Scotland team the best of luck! 

Image: Georgina (far right) with some of her team mates.