They are the first from Wigan to compete in the Street Cheer event, which is a fusion of street dance and cheerleading, in the StreetGames 2008 at Manchester's Sport City on Friday.

The event will see more than 1,200 youths compete in a variety of alternative sports alongside mainstream activities.
Gill Fitzpatrick, schools sports co-ordinator for Standish and

Shevington, has been busy putting the 12 to 15-year-olds through their paces for the event.
She said: "Cheerleading has taken off big time in the last two years. There are now 48 teams across Wigan borough.

"What we're trying to do is encourage young people to take part in physical activity, especially boys."

Last year Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust secured a £42,000 grant from the Football Foundation to encourage children who don't normally participate in physical activity to take up sport.

Since then, hundreds of children have enjoyed activities such as football, handball, rugby league, basketball and football.
Sue Molyneux, Sports Development Officer for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said: "It's about giving young people who don't participate in sport the opportunity to get involved in physical activity and to compete at a regional level.

"StreetGames is a fun-based competition which gives them a chance to play games they traditionally don't know anything about."