I can't imagine my life without cheerleading - Akiko Pollock

Akiko Pollock started teaching cheerleading to kids in Japanese in Sydney eight years ago. Broadcast on the 13th of August, 2019.

Akiko Pollock (third from the right in the back) with the Sakura kids cheerleading team after the Super rugby match, Japan's Sunwolves vs NSW Waratahs Source: Sakura kids

Sakura kids cheer-leading team with the Japan women's national rugby union team in Sydney Source: Sakura kids

Akiko fell in love with cheerleading when she was a preschooler and she threw herself into cheerleading at full pace at uni.

After Akiko came to Sydney, the Great East Japan earthquake occurred in 2011.  Akiko wanted to do something in Sydney to support the affected people and decided to offer a one-off cheerleading class for kids to collect donations.

Now Akiko is a founder and teacher of a kids cheerleading team Sakura kids.  Kids from all nationalities are welcome but she teaches in Japanese.  Akiko also teaches cheerleading at the Sydney Japanese International School in Terry Hills.

Sakura kids has started making their appearance at sports matches, cheering for Japanese athletes who compete in Sydney.  Recently they were invited to cheer for the Super Rugby Japanese Team Sunwolves and the Japan women's national rugby union team.

In the audio, Akiko explains to us why she loves cheerleading and the important things she always teaches to her students.

Cheering for Japan's rugby union team Sunwolves Source: Sakura kids

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