The Nansemond River High School sideline cheer team will compete in the UCA High School National Gameday Competition in Orlando, Fla., next week.

Nansemond River was able to earn a bid by competing in a summer camp last summer, which led to a competition that they competed in during December in North Carolina. They then won their division, earning themselves an automatic bid to the national competition.

Preparation has gone well so far for Nansemond River before they take off.

“Our sideline team has been working hard since August to prepare for the gameday competition next week,” Coach Amanda Lyons said. “All of it consists of the skills you would perform on the sideline for a football game.”

Teams will be featured from all around the country, with a handful of teams from Virginia. The game day format is made up of four elements — a band dance, situational chant (offense or defense game scenario), a cheer and another band dance.

“We have been focusing on perfecting our skills and spirit and being the best gameday cheerleader we can be,” Lyons said. “It’s all about having fun and being able to show your skills from a gameday setting.”

The Nansemond River cheer teams, both competition cheer and sideline cheer, have been able to find a great deal of success recently. They feel they have a chance to have a good showing down in Orlando.

Nansemond River has received sponsorships to help with travel costs of their trip and will continue to take donations up until the day they depart. Anyone who would like to send sponsorships to Nansemond River to help with their trip can do so by getting in contact with Lyons at 292-8760. The Lady Warriors will begin their travels on Wednesday.