KR Steppers defend title as the top-three cheerleading team in Singapore

By Brian Tan Kwan Seng

KR STEPPERS: The squad team at Cheerobics 2009

KR Steppers cheer wall standing tall Against all odds and growing competition from new and more experienced teams, the KR Steppers cheerleading team succeeded at maintaining their third position in the National Cheerleading Championship 2009 held at Jiak Kim Street on 22 March 2009. The team emerged 2nd runner-up in the Open Division Team Category and 1st runner-up in the Group Stunt (Female) Category. They also bagged the Best Cheer Award.

"Of course we are a little disappointed we did not keep our 1st runner-up position," said KR Steppers captain Chen Shiqi. "But given that we only have a talent pool of 500 Kent Ridge Hall residents who are also very involved in many other areas of hall activities, I think it is a great achievement that we have garnered the 1st runner-up position."

Resident KR Steppers coach Wang Siyong agreed that their achievements in this year's National Cheerleading Championship were no easy feat, given that the KR Steppers have only entered into their fourth year as a team. "Our team is still very young and many of our members are freshmen with no prior cheerleading background. It is amazing what we managed to achieve what we did, given the time and resources that we had. Of course, we will also like to thank our supporters for their encouragement."

Well, they indeed had a true group of supporters! A sea of Kent Ridge Hall residents and alumni turned up in the blistering sun to cheer the team on. Each mention of the KR Steppers from the Master of Ceremony brought cheers of "K, K, K, K, R...!" from the Kent Ridge Hall camp, bringing no small joy to the KR Steppers themselves as they waited anxiously for their turn on the cheerleading mats. Kent Ridge Hall Master Prof. Kuldip Singh, was also present to support the KR Steppers. He said, "For many years, we have been trying to get the alumni back to participate and support the Hall. This time, they have done us proud."

And now that the National Cheerleading Championship 2009 is over, the lives of the cheerleaders goes on as usual. "There are already a few performances lined up ahead of us," said Captain Chen Shiqi as she dwelled on the team's future. "The Championship was not the only thing on our calendar. Over the past year for example, the team has performed at the Singapore gala premiere of High School Musical 3, the National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign "Breathe" 2008 organised by the Health Promotion Board, and the GUESS Watch 'Bling It On' Cheerleading Challenge where we emerged as 1st runner-up. We are also regular participants at the NUS Inter-Hall Games closing ceremonies and the NUS Rag Day."

And, of course, there is next year's National Cheerleading Championship. Since bursting into the Singapore cheerleading scene with their debut at the National Cheerleading Championship in 2007, the KR Steppers have been a force to be reckoned with, having emerged as the 1st runner-up the 2007 and 2008 National Cheerleading Championships, in addition to winning the Best Team Spirit Award and Best Sunshine Award - given to the cheerleading team with the best smiles - in 2007. With the increasing standard of cheerleading in Singapore, the quest for the National Cheerleading Championship can only get tougher.

Wang Siyong, resident coach of the team, responded to their achievements with the team's motto of 'Blame No One, Expect Nothing, Do Something.' "But first, a well-deserved long break for the team!" he quipped.