News

Zooperbowl!

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:47:00 -0500

The Zoo Cheerleaders perform at the Zoo Bar for the Superbowl: a match made in heaven! SCZ Cheerleaders were entertaining hundreds of guests at the American Meetup's Superbowl Party, on February 7th. The party started at 9:00pm, and the girls were busy keeping everyone entertained by chatting to all the guests and teaching everyone some fun cheers for them to join in, in order to get everyone warmed up and ready for kickoff at 11pm - when all mayhem was unleashed!

"Jessica and SCZ London Cheerleaders did an outstanding job being the official cheerleaders for the expat American community's Superbowl Party London 2010. They had fantastic moves and really kept the crowd going. They really know what they are doing. Above all they have the right attitude~ flexible, punctual and above all professional." Wilber Webb American Meetup

Political Cheers

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:34:00 -0500

Give me a W! Give me an M! Give me a D!

W-M-D! No seriously Show us one!

SCZ Cheerleaders got involved with current affairs by teaming up with 38 Degrees, a people-powered campaign organisation which brings brings people together to take action on current issues. On Friday the 29th of January, 38 Degrees wanted cheerleaders to grab the attention of the media and the people around to bring their campaign into the spotlight: Tougher questions for Tony Blair at the Iraq Inquiry. We were cheering our hearts out and getting hundreds of people invloved to chant encouraging chants for Chilcot to be asking tough questions, as well as chanting our own questions as well. The publicity stunt was also designed to be filmed by Don't Panic Productions to create the corporate film for 38 Degrees.

We cheered our way to media spotilght, being interviewed by numerous TV news channels, photographers and journalists, up till handing the 38 Degrees petition to the Iraq Inquiry panel, that had been signed by 14077 people.

"Jessica and the Zoo Dance cheerleaders were great. We got them down to cheer on the Chilcot and the rest of the Iraq Inquiry panel on the day that Blair was in the dock. They were really enthusiastic about the whole thing and were able to easily turn their talents to an unusual task that I'm sure they weren't 100 percent used to. At one point they had a couple of hundred people following their cheers!" Heydon Prowse, Don't Panic Productions

"To Jessica, Tereza and Vikki - Everyone at 38 Degrees just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you for your support last Friday. It was not the best weather for cheerleading, so we really appreciated you beig there and joining in with such good humour. Next time we need cheerleaders, you'll be first on our list! Yours, 38 Degrees" Hannah Lownsbrough, 38 Degrees

Cheerleaders lift the mood on This Morning

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:06:00 -0500

When Monday the 18th of January was officialy recognized statistically as the most depressing day of the year, SCZ Cheerleaders were called in to open the show for This Morning on ITV1, bringing back joy and colour to this depressing day with a super-cheesy happy cheer!

We also helped Dr. Chris help illustrate 5 top tips to keep yourself happy at all times, according to research carried out at Cardiff University:

1. Music: Music is probably the most powerful wayof influencing your mood, so when you're low play the music thatuplifts you and gets you into a positive, upbeat state of mind.

2. Sharing problems: keep in contact with all yourfriends, via email, Twitter and Facebook etc, and even writing letters.Yes, even that old-fashioned snail mail! Keeping in contact is soimportant - sharing problems, dilutes them - a problem shared is aproblem halved!

3. Sunlight: The winter condition SAD (SeasonalAffective Disorder) or 'winter depression' is caused by low exposure tosunlight - so get out even in the wintery sun, it will lift your mood,especially if you've got a dog or puppy to exercise!

4. Exercise: Be it indoors or out, because exercise releases 'feel good' hormones called endorphins that boost your mood.

5. Friends & Family: Meet up with your friendsfor a coffee, a glass of wine and a good chin-wag. Face to facemeetings are so vital. Discussing your problems with friends, dilutesthem, and hearing about your own friend's problems can often put yourown problems into perspective!

Video available soon

Josh's Band for T-Mobile

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:41:00 -0500

SCZ Cheerleaders were asked to join the double decker bus for the TV Mobile campaign featuring Josh and his Band. When T Mobile approached Josh asking what he would do with free texts and Internet for life, he replied saying he would try and create a super-band. We had an absolutely fantastic day with the band and the crew filming on a double decker bus, singing and dancing whilst driving through london on a beautiful autumn day.

SkyRide

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:17:00 -0400

SCZ Cheerleaders cheered the thousands of bikers at the Mayor of London's Skyride on the 20th of September on a 7 hour cheer-a-thon! Children and adults of all ages enjoyed the closed off roads of London from the City all the way to Hide Park, whilst SCZ Cheerleaders entertained them at road stops. Featuring some of our most successfully cheesy and cheerie cheers such as: "Come on guys, Push that Bike! Left, Right, Left, Right!"and our no. 1 HIt "B-E-L-L, come on guys, ring that bell" that got swarms of bikers ringing their bells from 10am to 10pm.

Urban Superstars Soccer

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 07:31:00 -0400

On behalf of agency Face4Music, SCZ Cheerleaders were booked to perform a routine and cheer at the Urban Superstars Soccer charity match in Kingston.

The agency teamed up with 'betterbet bookmakers' to organize a charity football match and concert to raise money and awareness for Cancer research, Sickle cell society and children in need.

With a mix of fashion, urban celebrity performances, performers and football freestylers, the day proved to be success for everyone.

http://urbansuperstarsoccer.wordpress.com/

The Zoo takes over Mamilanji

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:53:00 -0400

The Zoo took over Mamilanji for a whole night. More than 20 SCZ Members and friends were present at this social gig, to watch and cheer 5 of our 'dancer' cheerleaders perofrmed a brand new cheer dance routine.

Work meets fun when the Zoo was invited to King's Road exclusive nightclub for a social night & performance booking.

Article on Look magazine

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:20:00 -0400

The Look report: We turned our Hobbies Into a Career

Look Magazine, 15th June 2009, p.60

Jessica Rossi, our Club Manager and Company Director was interviewed by Look Magazine for a feature about hobbies being turned into a career. The article is transcripted below.

'I Quit Marketing To Be A Full-Time Cheerleader'

Jessica Rossi, 24, from London, went from desk job to professional pom-pom-shaker

"I've loved cheerleading since I joined a club at university. We cheered at rugby matches and cheerleading competitions - it was a great way to stay in shape and was very sociable.

After graduating, I started working for a web design agency. I was still in a cheerleading group, but I was finding it difficult to commit to training alongside my job.

Then, one day, I was organising a stand for my company at a trade fair and realised cheerleaders would be a great way to grab people's attention. So I created an event on Facebook, and found 12 cheerleaders to make a team. It was such a success, we decided to become the first-ever club for freelance cheerleaders.

Before long, there were 25 of us and we were getting dozens of commissions. We were getting so much work, it was hard to juggle it with my job. I realised it could become a serious business.

Last July, I decided to take a break from my job, get a business plan together and register the company, we're on www.zoodance.co.uk . Since then, business has boomed. I've been teaching at schools, doing events such as shoots for MTV, and running workshops for birthday and hen parties. I've given up my job permanently and have a team of people working for me. It's exciting to make money from something I used to do for free!"

Words: Jo Adnitt

Photos: Kerry Turner, Anastasia Taylor-King

Better Haringey Green Fair

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:57:00 -0400

Haringey Green, London

The Council together with a community organising committee hosted the third ever Better Haringey Green Fair, building on the success of last two years and with the aim to make this the biggest and greenest event to date.

The fair attracted up to 5000 attendees to enjoy live music, activities, refreshments and a wide range of stalls from Council teams, community groups, charities and businesses.

SCZ joined the parade of stilt walkers and Jazz band through the High Street, dancing for 30 continuous minutes! After the parade the girls stayed at the fair for the rest of the afternoon performing stunts and to cheer for the Basketball games taking place.

Cheering from the Treetops

Sat, 09 May 2009 15:41:00 -0400

Treetops Nursery, Fulham

SCZ Cheerleaders were asked to animate the atmosphere for the Open Day of Treetops Nurseries new branch in Fulham. SCZ performed cheers and stunts for the children attending, taught toddlers ang young children to play with pompoms and promoted the Open Day in the neighbourhood to attract visitors. One of our Cheerleaders, Fern, also got to dress up in a Lion Mascot costume! The day was very successful not only for the client, but also was one of the most fun experiences we had at The Zoo! Watch the video to see some bits from behind the scenes and The Zoo at work.

Dawn Huckerby, Area Manager says: "As soon as the 5 ladies arrived to our Treetops Open Day, they sent an explosion of excitement with all the children and parents. The Treetops Rhyme exceeded our expectation and the enthusiasm of the girls was unquestionable. They did their moves, around the outside and inside on the nursery and even had time to throw our Mascot - Roarie the Lion. Fantastic , we would definitely use this service again, Thank you Jessica and all of your team."

BHF Hear Runners Cheer Team

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:29:00 -0400

SCZ Cheerleaders (a.k.a. Heart Runners Cheer Team) were cheering all day on Sunday for the UK's number one Heart charity, the British Heart foundation at the Flora London Marathon on Sunday the 26th of April.

Katherine Shirtcliffe, Events Coordinator for the BHF says:

"The BHF had over 600 Heart Runners at this year?s marathon and the Space City Zoo Cheerleaders helped to make the British Heart Foundation?s (BHF) cheering point one of the brightest and boldest along the route. It is extremely important to show our runners just how thankful we are for their dedication in the race against heart disease. The cheers from SCZ helped provide great encouragement to spur on the runners, as well as motivate the BHF supporters in the crowds to be the loudest and proudest with their cheers. (...) Thank you again for your hard work and all the effort that went in to cheering on our runners. I think it really made a difference and we have had some great feedback."

SCZ Star in MTV Shoot

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:17:00 -0400

MTV Networks Studios, Camden

Yesterday a group of 5 SCZ Cheerleaders went to the MTV Studios in Camden town tostar in some credit and advertising sequences for an MTV 'AmericanSuperstars' special weekend,

which will be airing in July.

Atthe shoot they wererequired to perform a routine complete with gymnastics and acrobatics,as well as filming some presenting and posing for photography shots.

The shoot was a great success, and Steph Withey, Channel Producer, says:

"We were looking for an ideathat would work for a title sequence for some American themedprogramming we were producing, and my researcher Danny came across thecheerleading idea. Once searched, booked and briefed on what weneeded, 'The Zoo' got to work on learning an appropriate routine andworkout suitable for the filming required. When the filming dayarrived, it went brilliantly and much better than I had anticipated. Jess, the manager was very approachable and helpful and the whole teamgave us lots of options of what they were capable of and were veryaccommodating. The routine was fantastic as were their American accentsand professionalism - I'd definitely work with The Zoo in the future -it was an ease and a pleasure working with them."

SCZ Cheer for TK Maxx & Comic Relief

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:11:00 -0400

High Street Kensington, London

SCZ performed for TK Maxx's Comic Relief fundraising stunt at the HighStreet Kensington store in London. First cheering for TK Maxx's stafffleet of fancy dressed bikers, performing bespoke chants and stunts.They then continued inside, lifting Gladiators, Nuns and Pink Ladies toform fun small pyramids, and waving their pompoms for a fantastic cause.

Lucy McGonigle from the TK Maxx press office says: "I managed to snap up the girls from SCZ Cheerleaders at theeleventh hour to help us out for in-store fund-raising to drum upsupport for Comic Relief. The team came and put on a superb performancethat attracted new customers to stop and take notice of the activity atTK Maxx. The stunts were jaw-droppingly superb and their bespoke cheerswere magic! I would definitely recommend getting in touch with The Zooto spice up your event"

See if you can spot us on BBC 1 on Friday during the Comic Relief special after 8p.m.

SCZ Elite Tryouts

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:47:00 -0500

We are opening a full time competition squad, SCZ Elite, training in London Waterloo on Sunday evenings 5-7pm.

Cost: FREE

Time / Date: Sunday 11th January 2009, 5-7pm

Location: Colombo Centre, London (2 min from Southwark / 5 min from Waterloo)

Open to: Anyone above the age of 17 - previous Gymnastics of cheerleading experience needed

How to apply: RSVP to our Facebook Event

Click HERE for more info about SCZ Elite

1st Place at Jungle Fever Level 4 !!

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:37:00 -0400

Northgate Arena, Chester

With our brand new smashing routine, Space City Zoo won 1st place by 22 POINTS for Cheer Senior Level 4 division, with a total score of 216 - we were obviously absolutely ecstatic!!

We had so much amazing feedback from the audience and the judges, so I would like to thank everyone for their support!!

Kudos to all those that took part:

Our amazing tumblers that left everyone gobsmacked with their incredible flipping abilities:Abbie McVey, Lauren McVey, Steph Rose, Leighanne Cowler. Our incredible flyers, who stuck ALL THEIR STUNTS both rounds and gave fantastic performances: Vikki Graudins, DD Thomas, Stephanie Doherty. And the suprewoman muscle powers of: Steph Le Jamtel, Ellen Garrett, Naomi Houghton, Amy Hoek, Natalie Stops, Christina Wells, Beth Rushton, Libby Foster, Laura Conrardy and Ashley Huxley

Special congratulations to Amy Hoek who won the SCZ spirit award, for her incredible spirit and dedication and attitude throughout training, competition, etc.. and therefore got to take our first place trophy home!

Thanks for everyone's hard work!!

Waltham Forest Fellowship Arts Festival

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:35:00 -0400

The Mall, Waltham Forest

SCZ Cheerleaders perfomed at The Mall, Waltham Forest for the Fellowship Arts Festival. Perfoming for 15 minutes every hour from 1 to 5pm, a group of 5 cheerleaders delivered a high energy routine including acrobatic stunts, as well as holding a 10 minute cheerleading workshop for all children present.

Hoxton Square Wifi Launch

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:31:00 -0400

Hoxton Square, London

The Shoreditch Map, along with a number of other local businesses, have been working on a project to launch the first free wifi facility in London. Hoxton Square Wifi is a public wireless internet initiative free to use for everybody and covers the whole of the square, inside and out - including all the bars and restaurants that surround it. Space City Zoo Cheerleaders were called to perform at the launch on the 6th of June, performing a routine and a bespoke cheer.

Rachel Jay, from the Shoreditch Map says: "Space City Zoo stepped in to help us when the cheerleaders we had booked for our launch party let us down. With just a few days notice they put together a great performance that made all the difference to our event. Manager, Jessica, provided a friendly and professional service and made sure we all our requirements were catered for with a minimum of fuss. I’d definitely use them again."

Promoting Rife at the Surveyor's Sevens Rugby

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:27:00 -0400

Richmond Athletic Grounds

SCZ Cheerleaders were hired by Rife, a London-based design agency, to promote the brand at the Surveyor's Seven Rugby Tournament. Cheering for 28 teams in 14 events throughout the day, SCZ proved that no matter how hot and sunny it is, you can jump up and down and wave your pompoms for about 5 consecutive hours. Overall a very successful day, especially towards the end of the day during the semis and finals, where the huge crowds were really getting into the games (and their drinks!) Congratulations to the King Sturge team, who won the tournament (and our hearts!).

Nighclub Cheerleading at Mamilanji

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:23:00 -0400

Mamilanji, King's Road London

On Friday, 6 of the best SCZ dancers performed at Mamilanji, one of London's most exclusive nightclubs. With our brand new high impact Nightclub routine and fantastic new outfits, Space City Zoo Cheerleaders became an instant success! We preformed the routine a few times throughout the night, as well as keeping the clubbers entertained all night, by hitting the dancefloor with our pompoms!

Thankfully we were not camera shy, as we kept being photographed wherever we went! The feedback we received was absolutely phenomenal: well done girls - fantastic attitudes, great moves and beautiful performances.

The Zoo goes to Florida

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:06:00 -0400

Daytona & Orlando

7 of us went to Florida for a cheerleading holiday. With training by ICC Cheerleading at the Epic Allstars Gym, trips to Universal studios, breakfast at I-Hop, barbecue at Rock Springs, watching College Nationals in Daytona, and bringing on Reese's Puffs cereal, we had an absolute blast! Looking forward to next year's trip! Many thanks to the ICC staff who were absolutely wonderful in every way, and congratulations to UNIty allstars for their performance at the All-Star competition.