Kingswood has two reasons to be hugely proud this month – the area has produced an England boxing champion and a gold-medal-winning adaptive abilities cheerleading team!
Lacey Holloway, a Year 8 student at King’s Oak Academy, won the final of the under 38kg category. in the English Schools Boxing championships on points.
The 12-year-old was inspired to take up the sport at the age of 10, by her brother and her mother, Claire Holloway, who is also a boxing coach. She trains at Downend Boxing Club under the expert guidance of coaches Craig Turner, Connor White and Bailey Phillips.
The Phoenix Allstars have been working for a year at their base at Tower Road, Warmley, to put together an adaptive abilities team. They were chosen to represent Team England at the Cheerleading Worlds international competition in Orlando, Florida, where they won their Level 4 category, coming away as world champions and each receiving a gold medal.
THE success of Phoenix Allstars in winning a world champions title is thrilling for all involved but especially for one family.
Mum Kristina Parfrey explains: “My daughter Kaitlyn Parfrey is a wheel chair user, she is paralysed from her chest line down. She was born with a spinal tumour and when she underwent surgery and radio therapy at the age of two we were told that the hope was to ensure she reaches age 10 before the tumour regrows.
“She is now 19 years of age working as an admin assistant at St Stephen’s Junior school, Kingswood and absolutely loving life. Cheerleading has become her world, as a child she was unable to go to ballet or gym like her friends but Phoenix Allstars gave her a lif line, they were happy for her to attend and even formed an adaptive abilities team.
“She has been competing at competitions over the years but when the club were given the opportunity to represent Team England it was like a a dream come true.”
Kristina said the team had worked hard to develop a routine with the support of the Phoenix coaches and Sports Cheer England, who helped ensure the stunts were suitable for an adaptive abilities team.
“The team travelled to America to compete, they were extremely nervous but absolutely smashed it, coming first in their category, receiving gold medals and becoming world champions.”
Phoenix Allstars will be holding tryouts for anyone who would like to join them – with or without a disability, everyone is welcome. Email phoenixcoaches@gmail.com for more information.