THINK of cheerleading and the first image that comes into your head is girls with pom poms on the side of an American Football pitch.

However, in reality nothing could be further from the truth when you watch the Phoenix Rising cheer team at one of their training session.

With inspirational head coach Ali Lee putting the girls through their paces it is easy to see that the roots of this sport are a lot nearer gymnastics.

They practice tumbling and then move onto a very impressive set of stunts which see one of the girls having to have real trust in her team mates and she thrust into the air. They also demonstrate some of their pyramids which again is not for the faint hearted.

Phoenix of course compete across the country at various events and this year they have linked up with Hampshire FA to provide off the pitch entertainment during the county’s cup finals, which they are all excited about.

The club which is based at Aldworth School is certainly going in the right direction and at present has 63 members which are all girls, but that is not to say boys are not allowed as they are involved in other cheer clubs across the country.

They run three sessions a week at the school and Monday night the seniors are in action which are aged 12 and over.

On Wednesday it is turn of the junior level one team which for their starters and has members from the age of five to 14.

Then the following evening it is the turn of the level two juniors.

Anyone wishing to give cheer a try can do so with a free taster session and this can be booked on the club’s website risingphoenixcheer.com All three teams take part in competitions and last season the club enjoyed 14 top five places in a season which runs from September to September.

This year the club will be going to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry at Easter, followed by Brighton in June and then Guildford. The senior team compete at level 4.2 which level four stunts and level two tumbling, where level one is the lowest and level six the highest.

Mandy Stait programme manager and director said: “Cheer is a sport which anyone can get involved in. It builds self esteem in the girls and it great to see them grow.”

“We are very proud with the link up for Hampshire FA we will be working on football theme displays and will be doing dance and a few stunts. This is out chance to showcase what we do which we are really looking forward to it.”

Head coach Lee is also excited with the link-up and said: “I am really excited to show off the sport in a positive light. I am looking to give it a football theme.”

Hampshire FA Business Support Officer, Isabella Sakias discussing the partnership said: “We are delighted to have entered into a new partnership with Rising Phoenix Cheer which will add value to our core product and show a strong, committed partnership of how two different sporting activities, can come together and work together to support one another.

“I am thoroughly looking forward to seeing the group perform at the youth cup finals this March and again at the Hampshire FA Senior Cup final, it is great to see it all come together after planning this for nearly a year.

“We are always looking for ways to engage with non-football participants and this is one such way we have identified the link.

“The fact that Rising Phoenix will perform at our events will provide them with the stage to promote their set-up but more so will add value to our work through the promotion and marketing of football and our brand as an association.

The football-inspired choreography will spread a better, more visual message about football and our association; we are always open to new ways of marketing the game, our brand and with the help of Rising Phoenix Cheer, it is evident we have a shared ambition to see this partnership work long-term.”