Cheer: The British Way

What actually goes into building a winning cheer routine? This week Tori and Ant sit down with choreographer Jonathan Lewis to talk all things choreography. From the first count of eight to the final pose, Jonathan takes us behind the scenes of how routines are created, how he works with coaches and athletes to bring out a team's strengths.

Discover where it all began, with Jonathan's journey into choreography, the highs and challenges of the job. Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent or just love watching cheer, this one is packed with insight into the creative side of the sport.

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How do judges actually decide who comes out on top? In this episode of Cheer: The British Way, Tori and Ant sit down with Matt Jones to break down comparative scoring and what it means for teams, coaches and athletes across the UK.

We talk through how comparative scoring works, how it differs from other scoring systems, and why it can feel like a mystery from the stands. Matt shares his insight on what judges are looking for, the common misconceptions around scores, and how teams can use their score sheets to grow rather than get frustrated.

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In this episode, we're talking about one of the biggest topics in cheerleading: tumbling.

We're joined by Sean Guzman, head of tumbling at Top Gun. Sean walked into Top Gun in 1998 and never left, and nearly 30 years later he's one of the most respected tumbling coaches in the world.

Join us as we discuss Sean's journey, coaching philosophy, long-term progression, how tumbling has evolved, and so much more. Whether you're an athlete, parent or coach, there's plenty here to take back to the gym.

Want us to get Sean back for round two? Let us know in the comments! Like, subscribe and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, or email us at [email protected] with your thoughts.

In this episode, Tori and Ant sit down with Becky, the founder of Electric Athletics, to talk about where it all began. From the very first spark of an idea to building a programme and a community of her own, Becky takes us behind the scenes of the journey, the challenges, the big moments, and what it really takes to start a cheer gym from scratch.

Whether you're part of the Electric Athletics family or just love a good origin story, this one's for you.

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In this episode, Ant and Tori tackle the things we wish parents knew, looking at it from both sides. Tori speaks as a cheer coach and a cheer parent, so this one covers the full picture.

They clear up some of the questions and misunderstandings that come up most often, including why an athlete might not have moved division yet, and why moving "up" isn't always the best thing for an athlete's development, even when it feels like the obvious next step.

If you're a cheer parent trying to make sense of it all, or a coach who's had these conversations more times than you can count, this episode is for you.

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Tori and Ant are back with a full recap of AIA and the European Summit. Two huge moments on the cheer calendar this past season and they've brought in someone who saw it all from every angle: Rachel Lynch, owner of The Cheerleading CEO and North East Cheer.

Expect honest talk about what went well, what they'd do differently, and what these events reveal about where British cheer is heading next. Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or a cheer parent trying to understand what your gym goes through to get to competition day, this one's packed with perspective you won't get anywhere else.

Tune in for a real, behind-the-scenes look at AIA and the European Summit, straight from the people who lived it.

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In this episode, Tori and Ant sit down with Carli, the founder of Casablanca, to talk about where it all began. From the very first idea to building something that's become a real fixture in British cheer, Carli takes us behind the scenes of the journey, the risks, the growing pains, and what it actually takes to start a programme from scratch.

Whether you're part of the Casablanca family or just love a good origin story, this one's for you.

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In this inspiring episode of Cheer The British Way, hosts Ant and Tori sit down with Andy and Brienne, the founders of Top Gun UK, to uncover the story behind one of the UK's most recognised cheerleading programmes.

From humble beginnings and big ambitions to building a thriving cheer community, Andy and Brienne share the challenges, sacrifices, and defining moments that shaped Top Gun UK into what it is today. Hear how their passion for the sport, commitment to athlete development, and vision for the future helped create a programme that has impacted thousands of athletes across the country.

Whether you're a cheer parent, athlete, coach, or simply love hearing entrepreneurial success stories, this episode offers an authentic look at what it takes to build something special from the ground up.

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This episode of Cheer: The British Way, Tori and Ant take a trip down memory lane as they sit down to watch and review a Unity Allstars routine they both competed in back in 2007.

From questionable uniforms and iconic music cuts to skills that were considered groundbreaking at the time, the pair relive one of their old routines with plenty of nostalgia, laughter, and a healthy dose of self-roasting. Along the way, they chat about just how much cheerleading has evolved over the years, from the scoring systems and judging criteria to the incredible jump in overall skill level.

Whether you competed in the early days or you are a newer athlete curious about what the sport looked like nearly 20 years ago, this episode is packed with funny moments, behind-the-scenes memories, and fascinating comparisons between then and now.

Get ready for cringes, laughs, and a reminder that while cheer may have changed a lot, the memories never do.

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It's tryouts season, and in this episode of Cheer: The British Way, Tori and Ant dive into everything you need to know about the athlete selection process. Drawing on their own experience as coaches and gym owners, they discuss how they approach tryouts, what makes an athlete stand out, and the key qualities they look for beyond just skills and scores. From mindset and coachability to effort, attitude, and potential, they break down what really matters when building successful teams. Whether you're preparing for your first tryout, hoping to move up a level, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes when placements are decided, this episode is packed with honest insights, practical advice, and plenty of food for thought. Tune in for a candid conversation about one of the most important times of the cheer season. 🏆🎙️✨

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