Liz Gigante started the team in 1994 when Port Moody was still a Senior Secondary School. The team had a rough start like most first year teams do. They competed that year with only 6 athletes. Liz had a vision, though. She was determined to produce a solid and reputable program and over the years, she has managed to do just that. In '95 Liz took the team to Anaheim to compete in the USA Nationals. She'll never forget the look in the girls' faces while warming up aside well known Arizona teams, "What have you got us into?", they asked. Liz remembers learning that Port Moody had placed 15th out of 36 teams while in the elevator and jumping up and down and screaming with people staring at her as though her team had placed 1st. The following year, the '96-'97 team was even stronger and better. They were looking like the number one team in BC! They placed 16th at Nationals and were looking awesome. This was the year that Port Moody also inroduced their Dance team.The '97-1998 season proved to be their best year ever. With new smiling faces and talented members, more than half the team was new to this sport. They trained very hard and entered many competitions. The first few were tough, which made the team work harder and get more focused. The end result being that they were able to finish that season with another first place finish at the PMSS Comp. This was also the inaugral year for our JV team which has also continued to grow and develop into a very strong and reputable team. The '98-'99 team went to the USA Nationals that year and entered many divisions: Show Cheer, 5-Girl Stunt, Performance Cheer, Songleading (Dance Only) and Individual Dance, with our star Ben Newcombe. Ben was the only guy entered with the 40 girls he competed against. He blew everyone away and placed 3rd!! Our Performance Cheer placed 12th, 5-Girl Stunt placed 17th, Show Cheer placed 11th (out of 40 teams) and Songleading placed 10th which brought a trophy home! This team did so well, and everyone was very proud!!
In 1999-2000, the team decided to try something new. So, they travelled to Ontario and competed in the Blakelock Competition and in the P.C.I.C Competition, too. They billeted with CCH and met the most amazing people. This was pretty special for Liz who was there when CCH began and then got to be with her former coach as he coached CCH for the last time/event in his ten year tenure.
This year's team is the most talented yet. Over half the team can tumble and the other half are very close to getting their backhandsprings. in Anaheim, Port Moody wants to make it to the finals for the first time ever!! "We are detemined to be the best we can be"......GO BLUES!!!
UPDATE!! We made it! Port Moody Cheer Team went to finals this year and took home 5th place! Click here to see our results. |
