Bring It On at 25: Why Cheerdance Belongs in Your Studio

If you grew up in the early 2000s, chances are you remember Bring It On. The film turns 25 this year, and it’s hard to overstate the impact it had on bringing cheer culture into the mainstream. I can still picture myself as a teenager, rewinding the VHS tape over and over, scribbling down the words to the famous chant so I could perform it with my friends. If you knew every line back then—you were in.

That movie sparked a worldwide fascination with cheerleading. But in the UK, it did something else too: it helped lay the groundwork for the birth of cheerdance.

The Birth of Cheerdance in the UK

Back in 2002, my sister Gemma saw the opportunity to take the spirit of cheer—sharp arm lines, poms, outfits, precision, team energy—and create a version that was dance-focused, safe, and accessible for every dance school. That’s how CheerDance UK was born.

Fast forward 23 years and cheerdance is now a recognised style in its own right, taught in schools across the country and featured in competitions and dance examinations. What started as a spark of inspiration has become one of the most fun, inclusive, and easy-to-deliver styles for studios.

What Makes Cheerdance Different

Cheerdance isn’t the same as cheerleading. There are no stunts, lifts, or pyramids—instead, it’s about performance, energy, and synchronised dance. Think of it as the best bits of cheer combined with jazz and commercial influences, performed with poms and big smiles.

The beauty of cheerdance is its accessibility. Any studio can introduce it because:

The set routine format makes it super easy to follow and teach.
You don’t need specialist equipment or facilities.
It appeals to a wide age range—from tiny beginners to teens who love the energy and performance factor, and even parents who get involved. At CheerDance UK events, it’s not unusual to see mums taking part alongside their children, which makes the style unique in how it brings families together.

Why Teachers Should Consider Adding Cheerdance

Introducing cheerdance can give your school:

A fresh style to attract new students (and keep existing ones excited).
Opportunities for exams and competitions through CheerDance UK.
A boost in team spirit—nothing unites a group like performing a cheerdance routine together.

And it isn’t limited to team routines either. Cheerdance offers sections for teams, solos, pairs, and set routines, so students of all ages and abilities can get involved. Whether you’ve got a large group ready to perform or a single dancer looking for a new challenge, there’s a place for them within the style.

As Gemma puts it:

“I’m so delighted to see how cheerdance has grown over the past 23 years. What started as a small idea has now become a thriving style across the UK. The best part is how simple it is for schools to introduce—it doesn’t require specialist facilities, but it offers students so much in terms of energy, teamwork, and opportunity.”

Something to Think About…

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bring It On, it feels like the perfect moment to recognise how far cheerdance has come. What began as a spark of inspiration has grown into a style that connects dancers, builds confidence, and brings incredible energy to the studio.

The question for teachers is: will you be part of the next chapter of cheerdance? With ready-made routines, exam structures, and a thriving competition circuit, it’s never been easier to bring the spirit of cheer into your school.