Charisma is a sports group aimed
at children in the local area of Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, to provide the
opportunity to learn majorette skills. We were founded in June 1998 by the Troupe
Leader, Trisha Catton (who is a qualified United Kingdom Federation of
Majorettes Judge and Trainer). The Troupe is a skill building arena for
the enjoyment of the children and the betterment of the sport. The members are
encouraged to learn through achievement of grade badges, attendance medals,
competing awards, and certificates.
Charisma is run on a completely
voluntary and non-profit making basis. All monies taken in are used for Troupe
expenses and equipment. Each child is covered by insurance whilst undertaking
Troupe-led majorette activities.
Since opening we have risen from 2
members to 16.
The Troupe has participated in 19
regional competitions against much larger and more established troupes, and at
11 National competitions and have collected 489 prizes, so we've got something
working right! We have several past and current National and Regional Champions
in all categories of competition, including Baton, 2-Baton, Mace and
Championship level.
At
the most recent Nationals in April 2008 thirteen members attended and came away
with 16 prizes between them – not bad for a small Troupe. Our proudest moments – Oh so many … The
parents and adult siblings getting 3rd place in Adult Novelty,
despite Jo having a broken hand (as she found out when we took her off to
hospital after the event)! The Beginner
Twirl Trio of Beth, Sophie and Stacey getting 1st Place at their
first attempt of entering this category, Cerys (with Leanne of Dacorum) coming 3rd
in the Championship Duo, and in Lead Girl, Flag Solo and Majorette March. George and Lisa getting a 2nd and
3rd for Military March and the Junior Military Group of Abbie,
Brooke, Stacey and Sophie gaining a Nationals 2nd Place. Gabi getting 3rd Place at Beginner twirl first time out, Brooke
getting 3rd place for her Novice Solo and Hannah (at her first
Nationals) gaining a 1st at Novice Solo, and a 2nd with
an innovative Nursery Rhyme routine twirling a tea towel! All of the competitors improved over their
last outings and received 16 Runner Up prizes between them too as well – Well
Done to you all!
Kirsty
received a special trophy, the Lisa Fox Trophy, for her selfless actions in
running for help for an Adult Novelty member who had fainted (and we learned
later after she had insisted on taking part in the routine had broken her hand
in the fall) and in the process had tripped up herself and ended up on crutches
and out of the rest of the National competitions.
What
do we do?
We train children in the skills
they need to carry out the sport of majorettes. We mainly take part in UKFM
organised competitions for group and solo work, but have provided short
displays at local events in return for a donation to funds or free stall space.
Troupe members are taught the
skills for:
Baton
twirling
Using Pom Poms (Cheerleading)
Flag twirling
Ribbon twirling
Mace twirling
Wheel baton twirling
Fancy Strutting (Carnival parade work)
Military Marching
Majorette Marching
These skills are used in solo and
group work. Some footwork is involved, but you don't have to have the same
co-ordination as for ballet or gymnastics!
Baton twirling is a skill, an art and a competitive sport and Charisma aims to help its members enjoy their skill.
The troupe meet every Monday and
Thursday night at Bromeswell, near Melton, Woodbridge.
The Troupe was established to
provide an outlet for the sport of majorettes in the Woodbridge area in June
1998.
Children who join, tend to bring
along their friends, which indicates that they are enjoying the instruction
they are receiving.
The Troupe works within the
capabilities of the members and always does the best they can at competitions
and displays. Indeed, Charisma made another excellent showing at the last
United Kingdom Federation of Majorettes regional and national competitions. At
the last UKFM Nationals, eleven members entered and came away with thirty
prizes between them. At the last few National Finals we gained group
honours in the Mace, Outdoor Display, Novelty, Twirl and Marching Groups, plus
received the Best In Area award.
Soloists and duos have done well too in all categories. Competition is
always very fierce with the girls competing against at least eight larger
troupes in the Regionals, from the East Anglian area, and there were around 50 troupes
at the Nationals in 2008, so the Troupe’s average of success is extremely high.
In June 2006 the troupe gained
Radio fame by responding to a plea for entertainment at a local school fete,
when the school was let down at the last minute. Only four members of the troupe were available at the 2 days notice
but we put together a 20 minute display which was very well received and have
been invited back to do it all again the next year! We don’t make a charge for displays, preferring to run a fete
stall to raise funds but, of course, we are also happy to take any donations
for our efforts from our hosts.
Costumes and equipment are very expensive so if anyone wants to sponsor
us, please contact the Troupe
Leader.
Charisma Majorettes is affiliated
to the United Kingdom Federation of Majorettes and Baton Twirlers (UKFM) and
welcomes children from 4 years of age. The UKFM is the only baton twirling
association recognised for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.
The UKFM provides grading levels
for the skill of majorettes and members of Charisma have taken and passed 203
badges in various disciplines of majorette skills.
The motto of the UKFM is "To
help one another" and Charisma aim to carry this out. The older or more
skilled children of the Troupe share their knowledge with newcomers and younger
members to enable them to actively participate in this enjoyable sport.
If you are interested in joining
the troupe, or sponsoring us, please contact the Troupe Leader, Trisha Catton,
on the following email address: Trisha.Catton@btinternet.com.
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