A CHEERLEADING team of 10- to 12-year-olds are fundraising for their first international competition in America.

Bournemouth Elite’s Icicles team, who were undefeated in their last season, are preparing for the All Star Worlds in Florida after winning a bid this summer.

Team mum, Lindsey Smith, said it has been a ‘whirlwind’ since the team of 13 girls and one boy secured their spot in June.

Lindsey’s daughter and co-captain, Libby Smith, has been cheerleading since she was five years old and is one of the longest serving members of Icicles after joining in 2020.

Bournemouth Elite has almost 300 athletes across its 17 teams, including senior team Hail who are currently sixth in the world.

“It's a dream for all of them to compete in Florida, it is the ultimate goal,” said Lindsey.

She added: “It's an amazing experience, and for some of these children it will be once in a lifetime.”

However, having achieved their spot in the competition, each athlete must pay a package fee of £2400.

On top of this, each athlete requires a chaperone due to their young age.

“Which is why we're trying to raise sponsorship, it's more for the extra stuff that they need.

“So that the impact on parents, that is already a lot, especially at a time at the moment where things are not quite so easy.”

Lindsey added that the athletes must pay for their uniform, kits and training.

Bournemouth Elite will be welcoming world-renowned American choreographer Corey Hines, the director at Top Gun Miami, next week who will work with Icicles.

The team will also visit Top Gun in Florida for training during their trip.

(Image: Newsquest)

To help fundraise for the competition, five of the girls took part in the recent Run Bournemouth 2km race on October 12.

Icicles are set to host more events to raise money including Christmas fayres and tabletop sales, which some of the girls have been making bracelets to sell.

More information on the events and donations can be made on the team’s Go Fund Me titled ‘support BEC Icicles journey to All Star Worlds in Florida’.

Donations towards the senior team can be made on the Go Fune Me titled ‘Hail’s journey to The Cheerleading Worlds’.