Jamaican teams delivered an exceptional showing at the 2026 AmeriCheer International Championships in Orlando, Florida, securing multiple first-place finishes across divisions and reinforcing the island’s growing strength in competitive cheerleading on the global stage.
From primary to high school level—and even club teams—Jamaican athletes stood out among international competitors, with several teams returning home as champions.
The AmeriCheer International Championship, held annually in Orlando, Florida, brings together cheerleading teams from around the world to compete across multiple age and skill divisions. Hosted at Universal Orlando Resort, the event offers young athletes the opportunity to perform on an international stage, with winners crowned within each category.
Championship Wins Across Multiple Teams
Among the standout performers was St. Hugh’s High School, whose team made a remarkable debut at the competition.
Competing for the first time, the St. Hugh’s Swans secured first place in the Senior U18 Level 3 Division as well as first place in the High School Building and Non-Tumbling Division, capping off their performance as International Champions.
Also delivering a strong performance was Spanish Town High School, whose Vikings cheer team—featuring a combined squad of athletes from Greater Portmore High and St. Andrew Technical High School—claimed first place in the Level 3 Non-Tumbling category, adding to Jamaica’s tally of victories at the event.
At the primary level, Ensom City Primary emerged as champions in the International Youth (12 & Under) Division I category, marking a major achievement for a young team competing internationally.
Additional success came from Jamaican-based club team Phoenix Reignz All Stars, along with FHS Cheer, which secured a first-place division finish and Grand International Champion honours, further underscoring Jamaica’s depth across different cheerleading programmes.
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Sacrifice and Teamwork
At St. Hugh’s, approximately 75 per cent of the team were new to competitive cheerleading, with many athletes entering without prior local or international experience, according to coach Aldane Simpson. Despite this, the team maintained a high standard throughout their preparation.
Coach Simpson explained that training for the Swans involved long, demanding sessions with no weekend breaks, all while balancing academic responsibilities. The journey was further impacted by visa challenges, which prevented some team members from travelling.
Even so, the team pushed forward under his guidance, supported in part by the St. Hugh’s Past Students’ Association, which contributed towards the team’s jerseys.
“Cheerleading is a team sport, and it took all our athletes working together to get the job completed,” the school shared.
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Jamaica’s Growing Presence in Global Cheer
Taken together, the results point to a broader shift—Jamaican teams are no longer just participating in international cheerleading competitions, but consistently competing at—and winning—the highest levels.
With strong performances across school and club programmes, and with athletes overcoming logistical and financial hurdles to compete, Jamaica’s presence in global cheerleading continues to expand.
