Cheerleading at an elite level is demanding, but for Crestmead athlete Sarenyia Scurr-Passfield-Moore, it’s just one part of her busy schedule.
Balancing studies, multiple jobs, and intense training, Miss Scurr-Passfield-Moore is preparing to showcase her skills on the world stage after being selected to compete for Team Australia.
The 21-year-old has been chosen for the All-Girl Level 7 team, the highest division in the sport, and will compete at the ESPN Wide World of Sports venue in April, as part of the first Queensland-based team to represent Australia at The Cheerleading Worlds.
Miss Scurr-Passfield-Moore has been cheering since she was almost 10 years old and has dedicated the last 12 years to training.
“I train five to six days a week, with most sessions lasting four to six hours,” she said.
Her dedication has taken her overseas to compete in several international competitions, including the U.S.
In 2017, her team placed seventh in two competitions, and in 2019, they came fifth in another event.
Most recently, in 2023, she competed at Worlds and placed 10th.
Competing at this level requires elite athleticism, precision, and teamwork, with athletes performing advanced stunts, tumbling, and choreography in flawless routines.
Miss Scurr-Passfield-Moore cheers with Outlaws All Stars, Australia’s largest cheerleading club, which has five locations across three states.
“Training takes a lot of time and effort,” she said.
“We’ve been working on our routine for a month and a half and still have parts to perfect. Our shortest training sessions are three and a half hours.”
Despite her demanding cheer schedule, she also coaches aspiring athletes.
“I love coaching and working with kids of all levels and abilities,” she said.
“After the competition in America, I’ll start a cheer program at King’s College Logan Village and help build it from the ground up.”
Alongside cheerleading and coaching, Miss Scurr-Passfield-Moore works at Hungry Jacks and is studying to become a pediatric nurse.
Her mother, Samantha Scurr-Passfield, is incredibly proud of her daughter’s achievements.
“She’s worked so hard to get here,” she said.“At least she can drive herself to training now!”
The journey has been filled with sacrifices.
Mrs Scurr-Passfield recalls the long drives to training in Kedron, which could take up to an hour and a half.
“We’d leave at 9pm, and she’d do her homework in the car, eating while I drove,” she said.
It was a knee injury from another sport that led Sarenyia to cheerleading.
“She had reactive arthritis in her right knee from playing sports, and her doctor recommended cheerleading to help build muscle,” Mrs Scurr-Passfield said.
“She tried gymnastics but didn’t enjoy it, then we went to cheerleading, and she loved it.”
The journey to Florida comes with significant costs, including travel, accommodation, and training expenses.
Mrs Scurr-Passfield is seeking support from the local community to help make Sarenyia’s dream a reality.
“She’s worked so hard for this, and any support, whether it’s sponsorships or donations, would mean the world to us,” she said.
