The Monash University Cheer and Dance (MONCAD) Club have enjoyed an incredibly successful overseas trip, recently returning to Australia after competing in the University World Cup Cheerleading and Dance Championships.
Three teams represented Monash in Orlando, Florida; two dance teams, Minerva competing in pom and Hercules competing in hip hop, and cheer team Atlas. All three teams returned home with impressive results.
For their respective competitions, Minerva finished first, Hercules finished second and Atlas finished first in their division – results the teams can be extremely proud of.
Holly Beecroft, a member of both the Minerva and Hercules teams, says the overseas competition was a first for all members, who took plenty out of the experience.
“It’s really exciting to finally get the opportunity to travel to the US, and it was exciting to experience competition with our best friends and teammates but we’re so proud to finally represent Monash, our University, at an international level.”
The decision to head overseas came after the dance teams conquered Australia, winning the AASCF National Championships on the Gold Coast in 2022 over some of the best Universities in the country.
As Holly says, the level of competition overseas was one the teams have never before experienced. However, it has kickstarted a process that should see international recognition for the years and dancers to follow.
“It was really exciting representing Monash and there were people asking over there, ‘where are you from’? So I feel like it actually got our name out into the world which is really good for the University,” Holly explained.
While there are no immediate plans to head overseas in 2023, attention now turns to the state and national championships this year.
Monash University’s Cheer and Dance Club is open to students of all levels. To find out more about their experience at the World University Championship and the club, continue reading here.