Cheerleading first arrived in Britain with the advent of American Football here in 1982.   Squads were largely islands of isolation, each with their own mountains of research and improvisation to climb, often unaware that maybe there were others out there who might be willing to help.

Then there was no sources of information; books, guidelines, videos, coaching, equipment or uniform supplies. Squads tended to be small and seasonal.   The rigours of starting from scratch without information available meant squads were folding at a rate almost as fast as new ones were forming.

There could be no collective progress so long as time and energy was being burnt out in re-inventing the wheel. Great ideas that worked and successful innovations were not passed on and cheerleading often struggled against a background of amused tolerance. A common voice helped, but it could only be results that would really count.   Communication was the missing key. Information passing freely between squads at a grass roots level providing an interchange of knowledge and reference that would encourage stability and growth.

Progress was achieved collectively with the benefits directed to those who worked so hard performing. The sidelines are the Front Line of cheerleading. The concept of BCA was born. Run in exactly the same way as any squad.   A team effort but on a national scale providing comprehensive practical and visible support and service for our Front Line pioneers.

Some thought it was crazy and wouldn't work on this scale or without funding, but they failed to understand cheerleading spirit or the way in which cheerleaders are used to getting things done. Starting off with just eight similar minded enthusiast groups the Association has since undergone an explosion of growth with recommendation passing by word of mouth from squad to squad across the sports arenas of Britain.

A major turning point came with the appreciated assistance of professional American organisations as BCA oraganised training camps and educational material.   Britain was an island no longer, joining the world-wide community of cheerleading and learning from the wealth of experience of those who had travelled the road before.

Start a new squad now and you will find friends to help you with experience knowledge and advice.   Inter-squad co-operation became common practice with active encouragement by BCA and friendships were forged across team, league and international boundaries.

People started to take cheerleaders seriously.   As standards improved outsiders began to see the potential of a maturing ability and confidence in squads now earning a new and deserved respect.

British cheerleaders have performed at just about every major venue in the nation, before crowds of up to 61,000.   Twelve clubs have won awards at US championships over the last three years, including three First Place wins.   Media attention has rocketed with numerous TV appearances, a pop video and a TV commercial.

Sure, we still have many mountains to climb, but at least now we can climb those same mountains together and give each other a helping hand as we go.