ROUTINE: The DMU Saints
De Montfort University’s acclaimed cheerleading squad are planning a spectacular routine to welcome Prince Edward when he comes to officially open DMU’s £8million leisure centre.
The DMU Saints – who were named the best cheerleading squad in the East Midlands earlier this year in the University National Cheerleading Competition – are putting the finishing touches to a gymnastic display full of pyramids, tumbles and dance routines.
It’s pretty hard work, but it will all be worth it, says DMU chairwoman Ellis Pallat. “It’s a two and a half minute performance but there is a lot of work involved,” she explained. “We train for seven hours a week and this is a completely new routine we have been working on.”
The DMU Saints were due to meet the Prince in January, but the visit was cancelled due to poor weather. Now they are raring to go and hope to impress the Earl of Wessex with their display.
His Royal Highness will be invited to tour the new leisure centre’s state-of-the-art facilities and meet DMU sports societies that are already benefitting from being able to train there.
“We are all really looking forward to meeting the Prince,” said Ellis. “It will be an exciting day and we will be among other DMU sports teams.”
DMU’s netball players will be doing a demonstration match, while double badminton matches are also set to be played to show off the eight court sports hall at the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Leisure Centre.
Prince Edward will see DMU’s swimming team in action in the 25-metre swimming pool before taking a tour of the leisure centre.
The DMU Saints will be performing their showcase display as the Prince views the eight court sports hall. DMU’s netball players will also be doing a demonstration match while doubles badminton matches will be staged to show off the variety of sports on offer to students at the university.
Fitness instructors will be seen putting gym-goers through their paces, which climbers will be scrambling up and down the new climbing wall.
The new leisure centre provides students with state of the art facilities including the pool, fitness suite, dance studio, eight court sports hall, climbing wall and free weights area. DMU students compete in 33 sports from football and rugby to lacrosse and even equestrian.
During His Royal Highness’s two-and-a-half-hour visit he will be introduced to students and staff for a showcase of all that is great about DMU, and it is hoped the people of Leicester will come along and support what will be a special day for the city.
He will also be asked to officially open the new offices of DMU’s award-winning Square Mile project, in the Chantry building, before being invited to see how student and staff volunteers are making a difference to the lives of local people, by delivering a range of courses and activities.
Posted on Monday 3 June 2013