More than 2,500 cheerleaders from across Alberta came to Red Deer to compete at the Red Carpet Cheer Classic.
This year’s two-day event was the 15th edition of the Red Carpet Cheer Classic. The event was held inside Westerner Park’s Parkland Pavilion.
“We have teams from throughout all of Alberta attending,” explained Riana Luck, Double Up Cheer Productions owner.
“The youngest (athletes) are as young as three years old and it goes all the way up to adults. There are beginners, all the way through to teams going to the world championships competing here.”
Premier Academy Red Deer was one of the many groups competing in the annual event, which was held Saturday and Sunday.
The Red Carpet Cheer Classic has seen “tremendous growth” since its inception, Luck noted.
“Since the start (of the event) there has been a ton of growth. But there been a ton of growth in the cheerleading world in general,” Luck said.
“Within Alberta, cheerleading started in schools. Between 15 and 20 years ago, it started going into what we call All Star, which is similar to your typical club program in other sports. That has provided more opportunity for kids to participate in the sport and start younger as well.”
It’s been a couple of years since there has been a full Red Carpet Cheer Classic due to COVID-19. The event didn’t happen in 2020. It returned in 2021, but it was modified due to public health restrictions that were in place.
“This is us back full force with everything,” Luck said.
“It’s been so great to be back.”
For more information on Double Up Cheer Productions, visit www.doubleupcheer.ca.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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