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Two cheerleaders in white and red uniforms sit on the ground, both wearing large red bows in their hair. One person talks on a mobile phone while the other leans in close to listen.

Photographing the choreography and chaos of the England cheerleading team

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Date
1 October 2015

Some things we presume to be the preserve of the US: putting treacle on mashed potatoes, perhaps; or Bruce Springsteen, or cheerleading. And while we might be best off leaving strange pudding/mains configurations to our cousins across the pond, it looks like we can give them a run for their money in the perfectly coiffed, gravity defying acrobatics-fuelled work of cheerleading. Photographer Leo Cackett recently shot a brilliant series for Flaunt showing the England cheerleading team, conveying the emotion, tears and glory of the girls and boys brandishing pom poms for their country. The images of the carefully choreographed routines are brilliant, but where they really come into their own is in the unplanned moments – doing their hair, calling their mum or having a giggle off-stage.

A cheerleader with a large red bow in their hair looks up with a distressed expression. They are surrounded by other cheerleaders wearing white uniforms with red rose motifs.
Above

Leo Cackett: England cheerleading team

A cheerleader in a white and red uniform crouches on a blue mat, leaning forward with their head down. In the blurred background, a large crowd watches from the stands of an arena.
Above

Leo Cackett: England cheerleading team

A person with long blonde hair and a large red bow looks into a small mirror. They wear a white top with a red rose design and sit on the floor surrounded by bags.
Above

Leo Cackett: England cheerleading team

Three people wear matching white and red athletic vests featuring a large red rose on the chest. One person holds a microphone up to the person in the centre, who is speaking.
Above

Leo Cackett: England cheerleading team

A person in a red and white cheerleading outfit sits by a window, looking into a small hand mirror. They wear a large red bow in their hair and hold the mirror up to their face.
Above

Leo Cackett: England cheerleading team

Three cheerleaders sit side by side on a white low wall in a gym. They wear red and white cropped tops and black shorts, with two wearing large red and white bows in their hair.
Above

Leo Cackett: England cheerleading team

A group of cheerleaders in white uniforms with red bows in their hair huddle together. They place their hands in the centre of the circle, looking focused and determined.
Above

Leo Cackett: England cheerleading team

A group of cheerleaders stand in a circle on a blue mat, wearing white and red uniforms with matching hair bows. They are seen from behind and the side, preparing for a performance in a large indoor arena.
Above

Leo Cackett: England cheerleading team

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About the Author

Emily Gosling

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Emily joined It’s Nice That as Online Editor in the summer of 2014 after four years at Design Week. She is particularly interested in graphic design, branding and music. After working It's Nice That as both Online Editor and Deputy Editor, Emily left the company in 2016.

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