A cheerleading team from Charlton Rocks Cheer Academy has made history after securing a top 10 finish at a major international competition in Portugal.
The academy’s Hendrix team travelled to Lisbon to compete at the 2026 European Summit, one of the continent’s biggest cheerleading events, where they delivered a standout “Hit Zero” finals performance to finish ninth in Europe.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for the Charlton-based club, with Hendrix becoming the academy’s first-ever team to qualify for the prestigious Summit competition.
In a statement shared on the club’s official social media pages, the academy praised the athletes for their commitment, determination and teamwork throughout the season.
The club said it was incredibly proud of the team, whose members “stepped onto that floor and gave absolutely everything they had”, adding that their energy, passion and resilience had been evident throughout their performance.
Coaches highlighted the remarkable journey the squad had taken, revealing that at the beginning of the season there were not even enough athletes to qualify for the competition.
To end the season ranked ninth in Europe exceeded all expectations and represented an extraordinary achievement for the growing club.
The academy also paid tribute to its coaching staff, who dedicated countless hours to preparing the athletes, as well as the families and friends whose support helped make the journey possible.
The club described the experience of competing at the inaugural European Summit as a dream come true, particularly for a smaller cheerleading programme competing against some of Europe’s strongest teams.
Officials said the athletes had grown not only in skill and confidence throughout the season, but had also formed an unbreakable bond that would remain part of the club’s history.
Finishing ninth in Europe is now one of Charlton Rocks Cheer Academy’s greatest achievements to date and a moment the club says it will never forget.