CHEERLEADERS have been jumping for joy after their club received recognition for its work.

The Witney Wolves Cheerleading Club, left, has received Clubmark status, a Government award for high-quality sports work with youngsters.

Head coach Kim Brady said it was a remarkable achievement.

She said: “We started in 2009 by doing summer camps and now we have four qualified coaches and up to 40 people a time.

“What Clubmark says is that you are a trusted club that knows what it is doing. It is going to give us access to funding, which for a club is of massive importance, but the main thing is that it gives parents peace of mind.”

She said cheerleading benefited the girls’ health and kept them out of trouble.

“Cheerleading is a gymnastic sport and a sport in its own right.

“In our workout, 20 per cent of the time is spent on strength work.”