WITH a record number of 17 trophies there was delight for the Lowestoft-based IDC Diamonds cheerleading squad.The Diamonds entered a record number of 23 divisions as they battled for championship titles at Telford at the beginning of Easter Holidays.

WITH a record number of 17 trophies there was delight for the Lowestoft-based IDC Diamonds cheerleading squad.

The Diamonds entered a record number of 23 divisions as they battled for championship titles at Telford at the beginning of Easter Holidays.

With 58 cheerleading clubs from around the country battling it out for prizes, nearly 1,700 performances took place during an action-packed weekend.

And with the Lowestoft squad embarking on performances that they have never entered before, this competition was 'the most toughest of all' according to the IDC coaching team.

The club's cheerleaders, aged from five to 25, started out with sparkling performances of partnerstunt groups. In the junior level 1 section IDC cheerleaders Emily and Amy Baldwin, Katie Stalley, Courtney Davis and Keira Horwood won an amazing championship title, second in youth level 1, third in youth level 2 and junior level 3.

The IDC Diamonds' tumbling and non-tumbling solo, duo and trio performances made the club 'very proud,' according to a club spokesman. As the IDC cheerleaders were one of the youngest performers on the day, they won championship titles in mini duo tumbling - Eva Harness and Jessica Tate, and non-tumbling category - Ellen Harness and Katie Lyon, and IDC junior duo and trio non-tumbling - Katie Robinson and Nicole Allsopp and Katie Stalley who shone with their high speed high performance routines and won first place trophies for the club.

In the tumbling youth solo section, Shannon Dorling was the youngest in her category, aged just 10, who impressed the judges with her routine as she battled against 12 year old cheerleaders.

With new performers and new divisions, the club coaches trusted their cheerleaders to cope with all of these routines. Tumbling Mini Solo - Mollie Chalk finished in 4th position, Non-tumbling mini solo - Keira Horwood - 2nd position, non-tumbling youth solo - Courtney Davis - 3rd, Youth duo tumbling - Courtney D & Shannon Scriven - 3rd position.

In the mini and youth dance categories IDC Diamonds cheerleaders put on a great show with their new routines, and in the junior category the girls won three positional trophies.

But the highlight of the weekend were the team stunt routines. In level 1, 23 of the IDC cheerleaders performed aged between five and 15.

'With butterflies in our stomach we were nervous for all to do well and complete all the stunts, we were crying in joy when they finished their routine perfectly,' Anett Allsopp, head coach of IDC Diamonds said. 'As there were 10 other teams in this division and we have not yet won a title for team events, we have only hoped that we do well enough for a place in a top five.

'We were counting down at the presentation of this event and held fingers crossed for the girls. When other teams were called for their position up to the third place we thought that we must have missed out, and as always there is more place for improvements we just have to polish our routines more so - then our greatest surprise came as the IDC Diamonds Team Stunt Level 1 team was called for the championship title!'

With everyone celebrating, the IDC girls ran on stage to collect their trophy with huge smiles. And for all of the IDC members' delight the Team Stunt Level 3 squad gained second position.

'We couldn't have done it without our members' commitment and hard work week in week out, and their parents who have made sure that children are prepared for each performances,' Mrs Allsopp added. I would like to thank IDC coaches and helpers, Suzanne Harness, Claire Fenner, Sam Lyon, Vanessa Aldred and Shaun Allsopp who have put tremendous effort into teaching and instructing routines in their voluntary free time for our club - we couldn't have done it without you ALL!'

The IDC team members were Emily and Amy Baldwin, Nicole and Bexy Allsopp, Tayla and Mollie Chalk, Ellen and Eva Harness, Shannon and Ebony Dorling, Katie Stalley, Katie Robinson, Shannon Scriven, Sammi-Jo Wong, Yasmin Harrison, Katie Lyon, Courtney Archibald, Courtney Davis, Lydia Patterson, Josie Lancashire, Jessica Tate, Paige Beer, Keira Horwood and Claire Fenner.