WHEN HARDEN boy Louis Bottomley realised he was struggling to learn his periodic table he soon cheered up.

For he discovered a novel, and very energetic, way of making sure he could remember the scientific table.

The 11-year-old ‘cheered’ his way through the challenge using skills he learned as part of Keighley’s world champion cheerleading squad Team X-Treme.

Louis, an athlete with the squad since 2017, was one of the members of the team that recently went to Chicago to represent England in the US Finals.

Not only do Louis and his mum, Sue, believe that cheering keeps him happy and active but they know it is also helping him with his school work.

Louis said: “My mum thinks that having to learn all those cheer routines has helped with my concentration and memory, and I think she is right.

“When I was struggling with my periodic table I thought if I combined it with something that I love I might find it easier and it worked.”

Louis is only one of two boys in his cheer team based in Keighley, and from July 13-15 they will be taking part in a competition at Pontins in Prestatyn.

The event, which is organised by Incredibly Cool Events (ICE), will see more than 1,000 people from around the country compete.

Louis said: “I love cheerleading and I particularly love the ICE comps as they are such fun.

“I really enjoy the dance-offs and having the chance to make new friends from other schools.

“It was through ICE that I was able to go to America and compete as me and my team won a bid from ICE as we won our category, and then also won grand champions as we were the highest scoring team of the competition. So far, our team is undefeated.

“Before I got involved with cheerleading I liked acting, gymnastics and dance and cheer brings all these things together.”

Kim Mason, director of ICE, said the organisation combined a competitive spirit with competition opportunities that were affordable and inclusive.

Kim said: “We welcome everyone regardless of ability or competitive experience, and pride ourselves on delivering a friendly and fun atmosphere at our events.

“We are really looking forward to the event at Prestatyn where there will be competitions and cheerleading workshops run by our amazing coaches and can’t wait to welcome Louis and his team.

“Maybe he will even be able to teach us all the periodic table.”

Visit incrediblycoolevents.co.uk for further information.

Team X-Treme was set up by Keighley teenager Sian Reid when she was just 16.

Over the past four years the experienced cheerleader has steered the team to become the official Keighley Cougars squad and when competitions both nationally and internationally.

Early this summer Team X-Treme’s elite Team Diamonds went to America to win the US Finals of the worldwide sport.

Now the group, with Sian as head coach, runs several highly-skilled squads for various ages, aimed at both girls and boys.