By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A special team of athletes will defend their world title next month in Orlando at the 2026 International Cheer Union’s World Cheerleading Championships.
The Unified Special Abilities Team from Coastal Wave Elite (CWE) in Mount Pearl garnered gold in their first-ever trip to the nationals in 2025 and are working hard to take another shot at top spot yet again.
“As world champions, it’s an incredible opportunity for these athletes to once again represent Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada on the world stage and continue showing everyone that athletes of all abilities belong in this sport,” said coach Taylor Anthony during a showcase event held at CWE on March 5.
The Unified Special Abilities Team started as a recreational program in 2019 and has evolved into a competition team that includes 20 athletes, with one mentor member for every special abilities athlete.
Last year, coaches decided to apply for entry to the world championships but didn’t tell the team members so as not to get their hopes up. The application included a video of the team’s routine, among other details.
The squad was accepted for the championships and the rest, as they say, is history and the team continues to revel in its golden moment from 2025.
“It was amazing. The experience was like the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Julia Crocker, a team member since its inception.
She looks back on the gold medal memory fondly and is grateful for the opportunities the program provides.
“Well, a lot of us cried. We were just not expecting it at all, like the fact that eight years ago this wasn’t even a thing for us to do. And the fact we’ve grown so much is amazing,” said Crocker. “We know that we fit in and the fact that we fit in is so amazing, that feeling of belonging. It’s just no words. I truly truly, truly feel this gym has given all of us something that’s beyond measurable. In terms of being an athlete and being able just to come in here and my disability is left at the door – no one sees my disability. Everyone sees me for who I am.”
And while the 2026 world championships mark a triumphant return for the team, it’s also a chance for one of the team members to get a second shot at a first impression.
Abigail (Abby) Roberts was forced to miss last year’s championships in order to undergo a kidney transplant, but she’s back in good health and looking forward to joining her team to defend the title.
“Last year I was so mad and upset about it,” Roberts said. “I’m excited. It’s really fun. I’m (excited) to be part of Team Canada.”
Coaches found out in November that CWE had been accepted to the 2026 world championships and told the team prior to one of its pep rally performances. Getting accepted for the worlds means the routine needed to be tweaked for international competition standards. The squad has been practicing once a week, though the coaching staff may add extra sessions leading up to the event.
There are also administrative and course requirements behind the scenes for team members to complete, as well as re-introducing a separate, “Let’s Go Canada’ cheer. But it’s a small price to pay to represent the country, they say.
“There were a few routine upgrades. We definitely narrowed down on the details of our routine once we figured it out, and our music changes a little bit,” said coach Jenna Phillips. “It’s definitely super surreal, (and) just shows how capable these athletes are to be able to do that. It’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience for sure. So grateful that we’re getting to do it again this year and defend our title.”
Similar to the Olympics, the team will get the honour of an opening ceremonies, which will be live-streamed. There’s also a cultural exchange where teams can trade things like souvenirs and pins they bring from home. While the team is representing Canada, they also hope to bring some items from Newfoundland as well.
“I think we’re trying to up our swag game this year, too, and bring as much as we can,” said Phillips.
The itinerary leaves some downtime since all work and no play wouldn’t make for the best experience. Like a lot of champions, they are going to Disney.
“That’s something they all look forward to,” said the coach.
The Mount Pearl based CWE Cheerleading team will represent Canada at the world special abilities cheerleading competition again this year. The team members heading to Florida next month for the event include, starting in the front row, from left: Taylor Anthony, Abigail Roberts, Laila Roche, Ava Walsh, Carrie Parsons, Maddy Roche, Emily Wiseman, Kyla Crann, Keeanna Morgan and Jenna Phillips; and in the back row, from left: Shaelyn Ivey, Olivia Power, Scarlett Nicholl, Kaleigh Morgan, Julia Crocker, Barbara Badcock, Cassie Coates, Emily McIsaac, Kaylee Hillier, Claire Coates, and Courtney White. Tyler Waugh photo