Se7en Days...

Ahhhh...finally, I can count the days with my fingers. My favorite team to win Cheer 2005:

1. Vulcanz (all boys)
2. Shirtliff
3. Maclay

The following teams could spoil the party:

1. Dynamitez
2. Xavier
3. Adele
4. Titans
5. Zircon

Jaclyn Victor!!!

Yayayaya.....Jac is going to sing and perform at Cheer 2005!!!! Whoo hoo...

I am her greatest fan! Haha...

Sing it loud and sing it proud!

Uniform

This year banyak sekolah tukar warna uniform.

Yang paling obvious, pasukan2 popular seperti Shirtliff and Vulcanz.

And please do not get confused with Shirtliff and Dynamitez cheerleaders because both teams would look very2 simillar! I dah tengok uniform both teams. Hehehe...

Shewanaz going white this year (with traditional green/black here and there).

Zircon from purple last year, this year tukar jadi green! Eh, perlu?!

As usual, this year you would see a lot of the red and black colour uniforms. The next popular colour would be blue and green. Yellow is already a passe (thanks to Shirtliff!) and the obvious NO-NO this year is pink! 2 teams last year pakai pink, langsung tak jadi formula!

31 teams will be at Stadium Putra, and only 1 team will be the outstanding one!

Who will win Best Costume? The defending champion for this category is Titans from Ipoh, who has won this award for the past 2 years.

Formula dia orang...they go to the saloon wee early in the morning to do their hair! Baju memang dah siap 1 month before competition, so they can make alteration and stuff. And of course all the girls go for grooming classes to make sure they become perky cheerleaders!

Huh, Xavier buat routine tu ke?!

Fui yoh......
Dengar2 khabar hari tu, my spy call me and talked about Xavier's routine. Hmmm...it sounded a bit fishy but all I could tell my spy was "bersabar saje, because coach this year pun gempak!"

For obvious reasons, I am not siding any teams (Shirtliff ke, Xavier ke, Dynamitez ke, including Shewanaz and Maclay). I want everyone to win, but the competition is cruel as the judges only want one. So be it. Anyone can be champs every year, although defending champions will start as favorites.

Xavier has been going up and down in their performance. From the Champions in '02 and 2nd runner-up in '03 and falling to 4th last year shows how this team really need to buck up. This year I guarantee the Xavier girls are in desperate situation to come back and save the CBN cheerleading glory days! But bear in mind, CBN has 2 teams. So if either one finishes in top 3 position that would do justice. Kalau tak, susah! My spy pun akan call I tak henti2 and menangis!

Back to Xavier's routine.....aiyo.....I dengar dari spy I pun memang tak boleh buat ape. Routine sudah direka, step dah diajar, pasukan sudah bersedia. Then again, my spy is not very happy with routine because of.....kwang kwang kwang... (minta maaf, saya tidak dapat kebenaran untuk mengucapkan di public)...so just wait for Cheer 2005!

Teams, watchout!

At the briefings, what I have notice changes for this year is a lot. First of all, the scoring form is new following the BCA style competition scoring form. I think it is a good effort, and the right time to do so. Captains, read the scoring form properly and make sure your routine follows the criteria. That is how you can score this year! Serious.

Besides, the judges this year are all newcomers to the Malaysian cheerleading scene. Of course they know which team is which, and not, but again when it comes to the blue mat everything changes.

I sense...we have a new champ!....Is it?

Routine Maclay and Shirltiff....

Hmmm baru balik dari SBU hari ini....as usual tengokkan budak2 Maclay.

My first glance of the whole routine was only last week. After the sports competition last April, I told Jill to maintan the whole Maclay team cause they are really strong. Basically she did, accept for 1-2 who had to be put out because of PMR exams or parental problem. She manage to get some girls from Cooke, Shirtliff and Green to strengthen the team.

Kira routine Maclay is better than last year! (duh!)...But one thing I would say is that the stunting difficulty this year is not really gempak. I would admit the intro is lawa, and of course the finale dance...but some stunting perlu di gempakkan! Don't worry...I have 2 weeks to worry. I am happy with the progress though.

Shirtliff pulak...hmmmmm...personally I like the intro. Can't deny every year we have to look forward for Shirtliff's intro. Since 2002 lagi, intro dia orang memang ummppphh....but some people might be saying...eh macam pernah tengok...and eh...biase jer...then everyone has different opinions. There is one thing in the routine that might strip points for them though. Won't say which part! Rules are to be read and to be learn! Dia orang tak baca ke!?

Next....routine Xavier.....hmmmm tunggu. I call my spy!

That is so Shirtliff...

Aduh! Susah nyer....

Kalau nak reka routine, memang payah for the choreographer because at the end of the day it is the spectators who would say it either they love it or hate it! Yang susah nya pulak..when we really do our research and finally people make comparison to that of Shirtliff (especially)....it is really a pain in the ass!

I mean you buat step dance, and tiba2 ade orang cakap..."eh, macam Shirtliff je"....
Bile nak reka cherr, ade orang menyampuk.."eh, Shirtliff pun buat gitu kan?"...

Aduh pening, pening!

So what makes it to be a creative routine, and run away from the Shirtliff style!

There is this one particular squad, (this year tak compete!)....habis2 every year tiru routine Shirtliff! It is so embarassing! Malukan sekolah! Then this year pulak, I dengar2 lah...ade pasukan lain pulak nak sambung tradisi untuk tiru macam Shirtliff....hmmm agak2nya which team huh?!

Top 15 Prediction

Well, well the competition is getting nearer each day. The briefing is done, and the draw already decided. And there is this new schedule, whereby all teams will compete twice instead of once like previous years. On the first day, the Top 15 leading teams will be announced. There are 30 teams competing in all. This is my Top 15 prediction on the first day, in no particular order.

1. Shirtliff, SBU
2. Maclay, SBU
3. Xavier, CBN
4. Adele, CBN
5. Titans, AMC Ipoh
6. Zircon, Subang Utama
7. Vulcanz (All Boys), Seafield
8. Sellors, St Mary
9. Shewanaz, Sri Garden
10. D'Starz, Sri Aman
11. Dynamitez, DJ
12. Blitzers, BU4
13. Cyrens, Sri KL
14. E-Lektra, AMC Ipoh
15. Vulcanz (All Girls), Seafield

The Cat-Fight

Cheer 2005 has its own personal war between teams...

1. Shirtliff Vs Xavier
This very old girl-power was has been overdue. Shirtliff has been winning, except for in 2002. Who will it be this year?
My bet: Shirtliff again

2. Shirtliff Vs Maclay
Old rivalry between sister squads. Shirtliff outshone Maclay at last years. But Maclay has been winning the inter-house. So, we see who is the real champ from SBU this year.
My bet: Maclay

3. Vulcanz Vs Zircon
Both teams are from the Subang Jaya area, and has been dominated by SMK Seafield only til last year when Zircon outshone Vulcanz (Girls). Vulcanz are determine to bounceback, but Zircon wants more! Who will win?
My bet: Zircon

4. Cyrens Vs Shewanaz
This two private school team has been the best teams from the fray. Both outdoing each other every year, Shewanaz in 2003 and Cyrens in 2004. Cheer 2005 will decide to see which team will be the best private school team in Malaysia!
My bet:Shewanaz

5. Titans Vs Cavell
Titans the undispute champion from North and hoping to win again! But SMK Methodist Ipoh's Cavell is promising to give it a tough time for AMC's team. So Ipoh mari, siapa terbaik?
My bet:Titans

Who is coaching who?

This year is the sixth edition, and we all know which teams are the ones to watch! But you might not know who is behind the success of these teams! Get to know the coaches.

1. Shirtliff and Maclay, SMK Seri Bintang Utara
This year the defending champs will be led by Edith, who has a mouthful of experience. Same goes to Maclay's Jill. There are no particular coaches for both teams but All Stars members are always there to guide and give guidance. Raja and Diha are with Shirtliff meanwhile Carmen and Jude are with Maclay.
SHIRTLIFF : Defending Champs / Favorites
MACLAY: Favorites

2. Xavier and Adele, SMK Convent Bukit Nanas
Compared to previous years, this year sees a very determined Xavier hiring back 2 All Stars members (of which were Captain for the 2002 winning team!) Nita and Linda. Both girls have had enough high school cheerleading experience that would bring both teams to different level this year.
XAVIER: Favorites
ADELE: Dark Horse

3. Dynamitez, SMK Damansara Jaya
The DJ girls has been going to gymnastic classes at Sunway for the past 3 years. Since then they have been under the watching eyes of Mr. Chong. This year, although they would be 85% new members expect the Dynamitez to give fight!
DYNAMITEZ: Favorites

4. Titans, SMJK Ave Maria Convent Ipoh
After finishing 5th last year, the Titans are going all out to finish in Top 3 this year. They have a cheerleading club in school of which has 80 members. They attended the Cheer Clinic by All Stars hoping to increase their stunting difficulty. They have also hired professional choreographer to choreograph the routine!
TITANS: Dark Horse

5. Vulcanz (Boyz and Girls), SMK Seafield
The Seafield team has an outstanding cheerleading program. They have a pool of dedicated and commited seniors, who are the backbone of the Vulcanz success for the past 2 years. This year, the Boys team especially are aiming high that is to win the competition! The girls would be glad to be in Top 10. The Vulcanz also trains at Sunway for gymnastics every once a week.
Vulcanz Boys: Dark Horse
Vulcanz Girls: Finalist

6. Zircon, SMK Subang Utama
This new team has gone up by leaps and bounds, thanks to the very dedicated coach John Lim (All Stars member). Last year, the team finished respectably 8th. The team will be increasing their difficulty, and according to the coach: "It is a do or die!"
Zircon: Dark Horse

7. Blitzers, SMK Bandar Utama 4
This new team finished behind Zircon last year, and they are coach by the former National gymnast Carolyn Au. I have nothing much to write about them as I have no clear indication of the updates, but what I know is that this year they have increase the difficulty of the routine.
Blitzers: Dark Horse

8. Shewanaz, Sek Sri Garden
This young team is coached by Jude for the past 3 years. Consistently finishing in the Top 11. This year they are led by the experienced Wai Min. They have definetly increase the difficulty compared as to last year. The teams target is to finish in the Top 6 braket!
Shewanaz: Finalist

9. D'Starz, SMK (P) Sri Aman
This is also another young team, comprising of energetic and spirited members! At the recent Cheer Clinic, D'Starz were the fast learner of the lot according to the Rangsit team. This team is coach by the senior members.
D'Starz: Finalist

Bahang terasa...

I was just thinking of planning up the routine for Shewanas and when to really finish up everything and to my horror...its 2 weeks left! Gosh. Thank God I have went through the stunts the past 3 weeks. It is the intro now left to be taught.

Elsewhere, the briefing for Cheer 2005 is to be held this Friday at Menara Star. Please check with your school administration for the notices, or perhaps just call the Marketing Dept at Menara Star! Brieifing is always important. Besides the main agenda, there would also be the drawing lots of the performance! And of course the handing back the challenge trophy! (Thanks Shirtliff!)

Basically, if Shirtliff wins this year they get to keep the trophy forever for winning it 3 years in a row! If not, too bad try again. Just like what happened in 2002. Xavier destroyed the trebbles party!

See you all this Friday!

Sincere Apology to Xavier!!!

Dear Xavier cheerleaders,

I would like to express my apology if I have been a little bit bitchy in my blog. As you are aware, all the writings are only for cheer-entertainment reasons and not to harm anybody's feeling.

FYI, CBN has been one of the flagbearers of Malaysian cheerleading! Something I will always acknowledge and respect! You are still the HOT-TO-GO team and will always be!

Kepada semua member Xavier 2005 please jangan terasa sangat. Those yang kenal I pun memang tau, I selalu buat joke. So whatever it is, please no hard feelings.

I still love you Xavier cheerleaders!

Xavier is HOT-TO-GO
H-O-T-T-O-G-O
Aummmmmm!

GOOD LUCK FOR CHEER 2005!

Lots of love,

JUDE BENJAMIN
Team All Stars

Gossip Cheer 2005

Wah...semakin hampir Cheer 2005, cerita cheer semakin panas!

The other day, this one particular coach from this well known team confronted me, " Eh, Jude you coach Maclay ker this year?" Well I didn't decline. But the fact is, I am not 100% involve in choreographing the routine. Carmen (Maclay captain '04) and I have faith in the new captain (Jill) who has 4 years of experience already! I am only involved in giving guidance and of course giving the stunts!

So going back to that coach, she said her team was afraid of Maclay because the SBU team is doing all this advance stunts! I reply, "eh..dia orang macam tau-tau je! Spy ker?!" Then it was cleared that she said whatever it is her team is going for simplicity this year. Don't expect any "waaaahhh" stunt! Wanna know which team am I talking about?

Hint:
1. Has never won Best Dressed, because uniform dia orang memang got problem every year! Especially in 2003, buat one piece!
2. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, this team used this one particular prop. But it was banned last year!
3. And if there was Supporters Paling Banyak Award, theis school would win!

Guess who?

An article from overseas

I read a back issues article of the American Cheerleader magazine (Feb 2002). They had this investigation to see how cheerleading has grown. And they found out that at least 50 countries have active cheerleading program. Here is what they say about Malaysia:

MALAYSIA
Malaysia is home to hundreds of cheerleaders, both male and female. Years of dedication to the sport culminated in Cheer 2001, Malaysia’s first-ever national cheerleading championship. The event drew more than 400 cheerleaders on 24 teams from 20 schools. Team Britain, Britain’s all-star team, judged the competition and ran two clinics prior to the event. Among the 400 competitors was Marina Mahathir, granddaughter of Malaysia’s Prime Minister.

The top team in Malaysia was the Shirtliff squad from Seri Bintang Utara. The team earned a bid to Cheer LTD’s 2002 CANAM Nationals in Myrtle Beach, SC, and plans on making the trip to the States this spring.

Cheerleaders in Malaysia are just as involved in their communities as American cheerleaders. The Cyrens cheer squad from Kuala Lumpur performed at The Body Shop & Women’s Aid Organization Stop Violence Against Women campaign last August, and they pumped up their all-female audience with the chant, “Toughen up, women!” It looks like this country is definitely on the right track to cheer success. —DK

The run-up to Cheer 2005

Okay, it is barely 3 weeks to go...the sixth edition of the national high school cheerleading competition!
This year we see more and more teams competing...but sources from The Star said that they are limiting the number of participants! So if you get to read this, and haven't hand in your forms better do it now!

Anyways, I read the rules and regulations of the competition just last week. It was prepared by the cheer-queen and the very popular charm-ing Beverley Hon! Mind you, the rules pack was 29 pages long! It took me a while to really understand the rules. Thanks to Ong from NUS and May from Rangsit. They helped me better understand the rules.

Some of the rules are understandable since BCA always focuses on safety techniques. Elsewhere, the rules allowed coming back of pendulum stunt and flatback stunt. Good! But some stunts were also mention which was illegal. Well, well, I can't say much. The rules are already written, so just bloody follow it lah!

And the scoring system has changed a little bit, adapting the BCA competition judging form. I think it is a good idea to do so, as to standardise and make the competition a little bit fair. I hope those who make it to the Finals this year are those who deserve to win and not because of politics!

I bet this year the stadium would be twice bigger, as in the crowd. Dah lah program cheer jadi 2 hari, mesti gempak! Owh, make sure you bring the followings:

1. Camera
2. Poms
3. Placards (that says, "JUDE You rock!"
4. Pop corn
5. Coke

What I have learned from the Rangsit team?

The visit by the RSU cheerleading team was an eye opener for me. First and foremost, I can loudly say that I have fitnessed all the magnificient stunts we all see on TV! The RSU team performed a lot of tricks, that I even couldn't believe it myself.

At our first training on the monday evening, the Rangsit showed a double full twist dismount. Gempak giler! The flyer was really cool, and her twist craddle was really smooth. Then came the tosses. The first toss was toe-touch. It could be a norm for us to see, but my gowd! the height of the toss was really really high! I was already taken aback with that. That night, we were fed with all the advanced stunts. One of it was the one they call a fly bird! Aduh! Lagi lah gempak!

That night itself, JOhn and I performed a toss with the RSU flyer. We toss her and she did a back tuck! Lagi lah aduh!

To be continued...

Panas!

Ade satu team ni, angan2 sangat nak menang Cheer 2005 this year! I won't say much further the name of the team because this is a gossip segment, so tak best lah mention it all out!

This team is very2 popular, especially last years success! This team has 30 cheerleaders in all, and they are sponsored by a foreign bank. Hmmmm bukan kah itu hebat?

So apa yang buat I meluat sikit is that, perlu ke nak mention to the public yang dia orang nak mengalahkan Shirtliff and grab the champions title? Although the intention was positive, but the way it was stated out was really to my disgust. Oh please!

I am not defending Shirtliff here (though they have been working hard for winning the championships). Every year, everyone wants to grab that one chance to lift up the trophy! It is okay to print it on your supporters t-shirt and lift the spirit up! Tapi sampai masuk interview and mention desperate nak menang memang tidak boleh diterima.

Think of Maclay last year, they did mention they wanted to win. I-O-T, Its Our Turn! And dalam interview, the captain was even humble in her words.

I wish the best of luck to this particular team though. Kalau lah u memang menang this year, I akan berhenti tulis blog!

Salah Siapa?

I always thought of this, and this morning it came accross my mind again. So it is better for me to write it out and let others think of it.

The cheerleading scene in Malaysia has been growing positively every year. No doubt, the power house of our competition here has set great standards for other teams to follow. Newer teams slowly pops up like mushroom from all over Klang Valley.

But when it comes to the blue mat, how can we recognise a routine is either original or a rip off? My only concern here is the originality of the cheers/chants. Is it wrong if this particular team has used the following cheer:

Team, Lets Go!
1-2-3
Score team Score!

and another team uses the same the next year? Is that called ripping off? If you agree with that, then I would suggest that all the American teams has been not original either as all their cheers are so simillar!

My conclusion to this is that it is never wrong if you have simillar cheers/chants or perhaps it mgiht sound the same, as long the motions or the choreography of the cheers/chants are not the same then it is ok. It is not a rip off! Agree?

Harap Maaf, Siaran Tergendala!

To all fellow cheerleaders and readers of this blog, I would like to express my apology for not being able to update this blog the past 2 weeks. As you might have notice or read somewhere else, Team All Stars was organising a cheer clinic and the arrival of the Rangsit cheerleaders made our lives twice busy!

Anyways, I will be posting up a few interesting and juicy cheer gossips! Here it goes and enjoy!

Hugs,

The Ultimate Malaysian Male Cheerleader