THEY are members of a club which was formed just 18 months ago, many of who were performing in their first competition.

But girls from a Hampshire dance group have exceeded all expectations to come home with gold from a prestigious national tournament.

Team Rox Cheerleading and Dance Academy, based at the Applemore Leisure Centre, in Dibden, came first in two age categories of the cheerleading discipline, with four more of their teams earning bronze medals at the National Street Cheer & Winter Open Cheerleading Championships, in Stoke On Trent.

The ‘Southern Sirens’ under-12 and under-16 cheerleading groups both won gold in their respective age categories, while teams performing pom dance and street dance also finished in the medal positions.

Coach Roxanne Edmonds, who set up the academy in the summer of 2009, admitted she was pleasantly surprised by her squad’s success.

“It really is amazing. There were 46 teams doing street dance and 37 in the cheerleading category so they have all done tremendously well,” Roxanne said.

“My little ones try really hard, but I never thought they would do this well. They did an amazing routine on the day, though. That will teach me not to underestimate any of my kids!”

Roxanne was also delighted by the performance of her under-16 pom dancers, who finished third despite a jump in class from the beginner to the intermediate section.

And to cap a near-perfect weekend, Roxanne was crowned Street Cheer Development Coach of the Year.

“I didn’t even know I’d been nominated so that was the biggest shock of the day by far,” she said.

“It’s nice for me personally because it makes me feel appreciated and it makes the amount of classes I do and the hours I put in completely worth it. But the real reward for me is seeing the kids do so well.”