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Recent News

ASDA GLASSHOUGHTON…OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

The much anticipated unveiling of the brand new ASDA store on Leeds Road was met with excitement and jubilation on Monday as hundreds of shoppers queued up from the early hours to be the first customers through the doors of the new store at 10am.

With entertainment starting from 9am, the opening was a real morning of celebration for customers and colleagues alike. Local cheerleaders from the University of Leeds, a DJ, balloon modeller and juggler were all on hand to entertain waiting crowds whilst children from Henry Moore Primary School joined in the celebrations by launching over 200 balloons from the store car park to mark the opening day.

Minutes before the official countdown to opening, shoppers and colleagues were delighted by the arrival of long-serving colleague Andrew Slatcher who has worked at ASDA for a phenomenal 40 years. Pulling up in a chauffeur-driven limo Andrew’s grand entrance was met with a roaring applause. He went on to present General Store Manager, Russell Gamble with a giant golden key to symbolise the move from the old store to the new before officially opening the store with the Mayor, Councillor Jacqui Williams.

Russell Gamble and his 420-stong team have been overwhelmed by the success of opening week. He commented; “The sales and customer numbers recorded since the Grand Opening on Monday have more than exceeded our expectations. There is no doubt that this has been one of the most successful opening days in the company’s history.”

Russell continued; “If anything, this just goes to show how desperate the people of Glasshoughton were for a new ASDA. We’re delighted to be able to give our loyal customers a much improved offering including 24-hour opening, an extended George department and a new pharmacy and café to name but a few.”

A total of £14.5 million has been invested into the creation of the new ASDA store in Glasshoughton marking the company’s continued commitment to the area which started 45 years ago when the late Peter Asquith, one of the founders of ASDA, opened the very first ASDA store in Castleford.

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Competition Tryout Results

Thank you to everyone who came to tryouts this year, the response was fantastic. To see the new Celtic Competition Team of 2008-09 click here.

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Freshers Week

The Freshers Fair at Leeds University 23rd to 24th September was a fantastic success. The Celtics received a lot of interest and everyone seemed very excited to meet the team members there. The team displayed impressive stunts and tumbling to a many stunned onlookers! A very successful and enjoyable two days!

For those wishing to come along to tryouts, the Match and Dancing Session is Wednesday 1st October in the Upper Fitness Room of the Sports Hall 7-9 and then Tryouts take place in the same room, 6-8 on Thursday 2nd October.

Look forward to seeing you all there!

View the photos here

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Celtics Sweep 2 National Titles

On Saturday 23rd August the Leeds Celtics competed in ICC’s Nation’s Best Competition at Loughborough University.

Their Co-Ed Group Stunt placed 1st at Level 6 showcasing the stunts that they are known for such as 2 1/2 high towers and crazy baskets.

Tats and Jen entered the Level 5 Partner Stunt Division. Although their routine wasn’t perfect on the mat they still walked away with 4th place in a very tight division.

The Celtic’s group stunt also entered the Level 6 Power Toss Division winning them first place. Marked on three categories: height, technique and difficulty, the Celtics threw a high Toe Touch basket, then an Arabian Double Full Twisting basket and ended with the first ever Double Full Twisting basket seen in the UK.

Congratulations Celtics…Power Spirit Pride!

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Celtics at Future Cheer Internationals 2008

On the 5th July the Celtics infamous Co-ed Group stunt, featuring Rachel, Tats, James, Tim and Carly once again wowed the crowd at The Brighton Centre. Before they even began their stunt sequence the group were welcomed with thunderous applause, the audience were eager to see what the Celtics had come up with this year! As always the team gave the audience what they wanted. They effortlessly pulled off a routine that included stunts never mastered in a British competition before. The double cupie, the Arabian spilt full basket and the double up to liberty were received with rapturous applause and the practically flawless score sheet saw the group receive their 16th 1st place trophy. Congratulations to all involved.

At 6am the next the day the rest of the Celtic Family set off from Leeds to make their way to Brighton. After a five-hour journey the team were reunited. The Celtics have competed with an all girl team and a co-ed team all year but as this competition was in the university holidays many members were not able to perform and so the teams merged to become one Co-ed Level five team. Obviously a new routine had to be formed in very little time and with only having one weekend to properly practice the routine due to exams and team members moving home, as well as a serious injury on the day, the nerves were showing.

The Celtics were first on the mat in their division, adding to the pressure they already felt but they enjoyed and appreciated the big welcome they received from the crowd. The Celtics performed a technically difficult routine, which involved very advanced level 5 and co-ed stunts. The Celtics are known as ambassadors of University cheerleading and constantly thrive to raise the bar of UK cheerleading and push themselves to be the best. The Celtics do not opt for easy sequences and the safe stretches, we strive to be at the very top of the level we compete at, which means there is more danger of making mistakes. The Celtics proved how talented their team was by performing the most advanced stunts in their division and came home with a 3rd place trophy. Although some may say we should lower our stunting level to make sure we are consistent, we know we can do these stunts and stick them due to the enormous talent we have on our team and therefore our philosophy will not change. Watch out for the Celtics at ICC Nations Best as they continue to raise the bar for University cheerleading.

Who are we?…CELTICS!!! View the photos

Volunteering at St Paul’s Junior School

Friday May 23rd saw five Celtic Cheerleaders: Marie, Steph, Sophie, Helen and Jo spend the afternoon with the children of St Paul’s Junior School in Otley, Leeds.

Greeted by screams of delight as they entered the playground, the afternoon got off to a great start as they joined in the “wake up shake up” warm up! The children enjoyed watching the stunting demonstration and impressed the Celtics with their attempts at preps and split lifts. After some stunting, the Celtics taught the children a dance routine to ‘Rocking’ Robin’ which they picked up very quickly!

At 2pm the schools ‘Well-being’ week assembly began. The children entertained and impressed the Celtics by singing, dancing and acting. The Leeds based cheerleaders were very honoured to close the assembly with their stunt routine and particularly enjoyed performing the dance they taught with the children.

Sophie Ibbotson, Celtic Cheerleader enthused, “We all had such a lovely afternoon. The children were all so well behaved and enthusiastic, they were a joy to teach. We all would love to have the opportunity to volunteer in schools again.”

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Volunteering England

Saturday May 24th saw both the Celtic’s All-Girl and Co-Ed group stunt teams take part in the Spring Showcase of Student Volunteering and Activity at Leeds City Arts Gallery (www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery) hosted by The Yorkshire and Humber Youth Action Team as part of Volunteering England.

Volunteers from around the region put on various performances and presentations throughout the day to celebrate student volunteering, organised by students themselves.

The eight volunteers from the Leeds Celtic Cheerleaders performed and helped to promote the event throughout the day and even entertained the gathering crowd outside the gallery with their stunting.

Kat Yates of Volunteering England said, “I really think the wide variety of entertainment helped to make the day so much fun – and represented students in all of their diversity. You guys were absolutely a highlight of the day - just amazing! On behalf of this years Youth Action Team, a big thank you once again.”

If Volunteering England can be any help to you in the future please visit www.volunteering.org.uk

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Celtics Race For Life

The Celtics were proud to represent the squad in their community by taking part in Temple Newsam on May 18th 2008 and to contribute towards the fundraising target of £247000.

Helen Wigham, Rachel Pearson, Jen Ingram, Hannah Harvest, Jo Hessey, Katie Jepson, Marie Salvatore, Allie Snape, Becky Hughes and Beth Kay all ran the 5k race in under 40 minutes.

Race for Life is Cancer Research UK’s flagship event that has grown to become the UK’s largest women-only fundraising event.

Find out more about Race for Life and who takes part.


In 2007 Race for Life brought together 665,000 women to walk, jog or run 5k to raise £40 million pounds for Cancer Research UK – the world’s leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research.

For more information or to communicate with the girls taking part visit our Facebook group

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The Leeds Celtic Cheerleaders will be expanding their team with the Aviator Allstars Cheerleading Program to cater for all ages and levels of cheerleading.