Lancaster University

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Graduate’s Cheerleading venture takes The Bay by storm

07/01/2009 09:33:24

A Lancaster Graduate is bringing a touch of American glamour to Lancaster and Morecambe with a new Cheerleading Club - The Bay Stormers.

Lancaster University Marketing Graduate Faye Hewitson, 22, was the Captain of Lancaster University Cheerleading Team taking them to competitions across the country.

After she left the squad she realised there was no cheerleading club for young people in Lancaster and Morecambe.

A passionate believer in the benefits of cheerleading having experienced them directly herself, she decided to set up her own club.

To do this she sought the help of the Lancaster University Student’s Union (LUSU) enterprise unit Create.

Create, set up by LUSU to help students set up their own business, took Faye through the intricacies of writing a business plan and put her forward for the Create Panel otherwise known as The Friendly Dragons Den.

She said: “I knew what I wanted to do I just wasn’t sure how to go about it. I had to do a 15 minute presentation to the Panel which is composed of local entrepreneurs and business people. It was quite nerve wracking but I knew my subject matter and the Panel liked it.”

The Create Panel awarded her money and Create helped her set up the club.

She said: “Cheerleading is one of the fastest growing activities in the UK though we’ve got some catching up to do with the Americans. It’s obviously very popular with the girls but the boys are starting to take an interest in as well.”

Create Manager Joe Buglass said: “Create was more than happy to help Faye – she is a natural business woman and the Panel realised that. They were very impressed with her energy and determination.”

Faye is currently giving free lessons at a number of schools in Lancaster and Morecambe and is running classes at Salt Ayre Leisure centre on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.

For more information contact Faye on: 07763 338198 , or e-mail her at: the-bay-stormers@live.com