For the Oxford Sirens, Nationals is the highlight of the season. It’s a day that represents months of hard work and early morning sessions. Not only is it the most important competition of the year, but it also doubles as our varsity match against Cambridge, with the higher-placing team crowned as champions—the day is both exhilarating and incredibly nerve-wracking.
The day begins very early, with the bus picking up the team outside Mansfield College at 6 a.m. The team represents a mix of energy levels: some sneaking in a few extra minutes of sleep on the journey, while some focus on their hair and makeup despite the bumpy ride. Meanwhile, others are frantically going through counts, trying to make sure they have the routine locked into memory.
Upon arriving at the venue, we’re immediately met with pure chaos. The halls are packed with cheerleaders from universities across the country, with each team in matching vibrant uniforms and bows. After checking in and receiving our wristbands, we rush to the overcrowded bathrooms to finish getting ready. It’s a whirlwind of last-minute touch-ups, hairspray, and pins, all while trying not to bump into the cheerleaders from other teams doing the same.
Once everyone is ready, it’s time for the obligatory team photos (which are arguably as important as the performance itself!). Then, we exchange “snaps”, a long-standing cheer tradition. Each Siren is secretly assigned another teammate before the competition and makes them a card with a motivational message. Whether it’s a heartfelt note, a series of compliments, or an inside joke from training, snaps are a great way to boost morale and calm nerves before the performance.
Next, we head to warm-ups, which are highly regimented and strictly timed. We begin with stretching, to prepare our bodies for the intense two-minute routine ahead. Flyers work on their flexibility with splits and leg stretches, while bases focus on their wrists and backs to ensure they’re ready to lift the flyers. Once we’re stretched, we move into the first section of the warmup rotation: stunting. Stunts are a key element of the routine, involving lifting or tossing the flyers into the air and catching them safely. During the warmup, we practice the stunts in our routine to ensure that they are solid and safe. We then move to the tumbling track, where we practice handsprings, tucks, and tumbling passes, to ensure our tumblers are confident in their skills and ready to perform. Finally, we head to the full-floor area to run through our entire routine. Our coach then gives final feedback and makes any last-minute tweaks before we are ushered off the floor to make way for the next team. As the warm-up comes to an end, the team gathers for a final huddle. Our coach and captain give us a few words of motivation and then, with a shared sense of excitement, we make our way to the performance area.
Walking to the mat is a surreal experience; the roar of the crowd and the blaring music create an electric atmosphere. The nerves fade as we take our positions, and focus solely on the routine. A typical cheer routine consists of a jam-packed sequence of gravity-defying stunts, fast-paced tumbling, synchronised jumps, and sharp dance elements that require exceptional strength, flexibility, and stamina. Yet the adrenaline makes it feel almost effortless. Then, when the final note of the music hits and we strike our finishing pose, the rush of pride is indescribable—especially if we’ve nailed all our stunts (or what we call ‘hitting zero’). But there’s no time to celebrate immediately, as we have just seconds to clear the mat for the next team, otherwise we risk deductions. Once our performance is behind us, we finally get a chance to relax. We gather in the audience to watch the remaining routines, cheering on friends from other teams and soaking in the incredible atmosphere.
Then, finally, it’s time for awards. We sit together, hands tightly clasped, waiting to hear the results. Whether we place or not, Nationals is always one of the best days of the season. Of course, if we place higher than Cambridge and are crowned varsity champions, the day becomes even better, knowing that we’ve shoed the Tabs once again.
If you want to see the Sirens in action and watch some national-level routines up close, then be sure to join us at our showcase on 15 February. We hope to see you there!