A TRIO of cheerleaders will be tumbling their way over the Atlantic next year after being chosen to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Olivia MacCormack, from Bridge of Weir, and Holly Love and Cara Johnston, both from Elderslie, will be travelling to Florida to compete as part of Team Scotland in the International Cheer Union World Cheerleading Championships.

Thirteen-year-old Olivia and Holly and Cara, who are both 12, are members of the Solid Rock club, based in Linwood, and will be competing as part of the junior team.

READ MORE: Fundraising drive launched after tragic death of Renfrewshire teenager

It is the first time a unified Team Scotland has been sent to the competition, with the sport getting bigger every year as it pushes to be recognised as an Olympic event.

Olivia’s mum Tracey said she could not be prouder of her daughter, who attends Gryffe High School, in Houston, and her friends Holly and Cara, who go to Castlehead High, in Paisley.

Tracey, 44, added: “I have so much admiration for all of them. These girls train 12 hours a week or more. Cheerleading is so much more than just pom-poms.

The Gazette:

“It’s such an honour for them to be competing in the first unified Team Scotland. It was an intense audition process. They had to perform their own piece and the whole process lasts a good few hours.

“It is a dream come true for Olivia. She has been into cheerleading since she was five. She has so much passion for the sport, so for her to represent her country on the biggest platform in the world is amazing.”

The competition takes place in April next year and, in the months leading up to the big event, there is a push to raise as much cash as possible for the team’s various expenses.

READ MORE: Call for answers over future of bus link to Erskine shopping centre

There are no dedicated funds for the teams, so they rely on donations and sponsorship to help with the costs of uniforms, training facilities and travel.

If you would like to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com and search for Team Scotland 2019. If you are from a business and would be interested in sponsoring the team, email teamscotland-fundraising@outlook.com.