Cheerleaders in Gosport have been praised for their achievements at a competition in Florida.

Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, celebrated two cheerleading teams in her constituency for their global success this week in the House of Commons.

Storm Athletics and Jessie Leigh Dance and Cheer, both recently earned gold medals at the Summit Championships in Florida.

Storm Athletics won in the Under-16 L1 Large category, while Jessie Leigh Dance and Cheer triumphed in the Under-18 L3 Large category.

These victories suggest cheerleading continues to grow in the UK, Caroline suggested.

She said: "The Leader of the House may be aware that cheerleading is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, and that it achieves the remarkable feat of keeping young girls engaged in sport at an age when so many disengage from school sports."

The Olympic Committee recognised cheerleading as a sport in 2021, a recognition followed by Sport England earlier this year.

Leader of the House Lucy Powell congratulated the teams’ achievements, saying: "I am glad that cheerleading has been recognised as a sport because, as she says, particularly for young women and girls, it is a great way to keep active and to stay involved in sport."