Dylan Grant USA Elite Cheerleading Dream

ABOUT ME:

I am a World Champion Cheerleader from Auckland, New Zealand from Team NZ Coed Elite who won Gold at the ICU Worlds in April 2014.

Cheerleading, Tumbling and Stunting is my passion.

I am currently in the USA training and competing for the 2014/2015 season with Cheer Extreme Allstars (CEA) on their Coed Elite team. I am in the USA Until May 2015 with everything building up to the world championships in Orlando, USA in April 2015.

I am living with an amazing host family after being offered the opportunity to join Coed Elite cheerleading team based in North Carolina.

After three weeks of frantic fundraising before I left New Zealand by my Dad, amazing friends & the cheerleading community here in New Zealand, Australia and the USA we raised enough to pay for my visa, 6 months medical/health insurance and flights to the USA.

On the 18th of June just before midnight I departed Auckland for the USA with $500USD in my wallet and $500USD on a credit card.

It was so hard saying goodbye to so many great friends, and my family but I know this is what I have to do! It isn't about what you walk away from, it’s about what you walk away with.

BACKGROUND:

I turned 18 in May this year and have been cheerleading on both All Star Legacy Legendz and Team NZ Coed Elite at All Stars Cheerleaders in Auckland, New Zealand since I was 12 years old.

I have been to 4 world championships and attended my first world’s competition in Orlando, Florida in 2010 at age 13 where my team won the Bronze medal at the International Cheer Union (ICU) worlds.

In 2011 we came 1st in the US Finals in Las Vegas, 2nd at the COA Nationals in Orlando, Florida & 4th place at the ICU Worlds. In 2012 we won Silver with Team NZ at the ICU Worlds.

In April 2014 my team, Team NZ Coed Elite won the Gold medal at ICU Worlds & my other team All Star Legacy Legendz placed 4th at USASF Worlds in the international open coed level 5 division.

Four Worlds competitions, a US title, two 4ths, a Bronze, Silver & Gold world’s medals and a world championship ring.

Other titles in New Zealand and Australia

2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 – 1st/Gold NZ International Championships & Grand Champions.

2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 – Multiple awards for Elite Tumble Champion, Cheerleader of the Year, Duo Tumble Champion, Jump Champion, Male Elite Tumble Champion and Cheerleaders Choice awards in New Zealand.

2012 & 2013 1st/Gold at the Australian Majors - Australasian Grand Champions.

I have also been named one of the top 50 cheerleaders in the world by Nfinity, being named an Nfinity Legend for the last three years in a row - 2011/2012/2013/2014 http://www.nfinity.com/legends

THE DREAM OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME:

After winning gold at the ICU Worlds in April I was selected in to join an elite team in the USA for the 2014/2015 season. I am currently in North Carolina on Cheer Extreme Allstars Coed Elite team.

This is my last year that I am eligible for this division before I turn 19 next year and age out.

Making a team in the USA and training and competing in cheerleading at the highest level is a dream come true. This is what I have been pushing the limits for over the last 6-7 years.

I need your help to keep this dream alive and keep me flying the New Zealand flag here in the USA as I work towards another world title with my new team.

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED:

This project is to simply raise the high costs associated with staying in the USA for 12 months so I can train and compete with and against the world’s best.

I am in the USA for 12 months on a tourist visa and I cannot get any form of job/paid employment.

As you can imagine money for return flights/insurance/personal living expenses/travel to out of state competitions/accommodation/practice expenses for a year are huge. Because of what I do I have to have the same insurance policy as the Nitro Circus stars and my medical/health insurance alone is $1900 USD for the year which includes full medical evac back to New Zealand if required.

My family has borrowed as much as they could over the last 6 years to allow me to compete internationally and get to where I am today. They do not have the ability to cover these costs.

Unfortunately with Cheerleading not being a high profile sport in New Zealand there just isn't any funding available for an elite athlete like myself.

I will never be able to express just how grateful I would be if you can help me in this epic journey and help keep me in the USA to take on the Cheerleading world and work towards another world title.

COSTS INVOLVED:

•International Flights USD$1600

•Medical/Health Insurance USD $1900

•Personal living expenses for a year USD $5000 (approx $100USD a week)

•Out of state travel for competition/accommodation USD $2000

•Training Expenses USD$300

SUPPORTERS JOURNEY:

I will personally thank everybody who supports and believes in me. I will personally thank everyone who donates as well as keeping you all updated throughout the season with written updates, pictures and video clips through social media to help share my journey & experience with you as best I can.

http://instagram.com/dylanngrant

www.facebook.com/Dylan.Grant.Athlete

Thank you all for the love and support! I love you all! Thanks for reading.