Claire and Libby Stokes win gold and silver at the European Cheerleading Association Championships
While Ben Stokes led England to victory in the third Test of the Ashes in Sunday, there was cause for even more celebration in the Stokes family as the England captain's wife and daughter won gold in their own 'equally large' competition.
Stokes' wife, Claire, 33, and his eight-year-old daughter Libby missed England's dramatic win at Headingley last weekend as they were busy representing the United Kingdom at the European Cheerleading Association (ECA) Championships in Germany alongside their Hartlepool Hawks Cheerleading Academy teammates.
Despite the cricket clash, the England captain was reportedly «very supportive» of his wife and daughter, who missed the final day of the third Test for the competition. This is a big day for all of us,” said Rebecca Taylor, founder of the Hartlepool Hawks. «Claire joked that our competition is 'equally big' no matter how important the Ashes are.
“Claire knew from the moment she joined her teams that if they qualified for a European tournament there was always a chance it would be around the same time as the Ashes. However, she did not know that this would be the day.
“She did not want to deprive Libby of such an opportunity as Ben did — he was very supportive of their participation in the European championships. . For Libby, playing in European Championships at her age is a big deal.”
The Hawks took home three European titles and three runners-up medals, while Libby won gold with Mini Cheerdance and Claire won silver with his Senior Cheerdance team.
Claire Stokes, Ben's wife, with daughter Libby before the performance
The 41-man squad earned four more podium places by finishing first place in the Junior Cheerdance and Junior Hiphop categories, as well as finishing second in the Senior Co-ed Stunt Group and Senior Pom categories.
Ms Taylor, 32, from Hartlepool, said: “I am very proud of all my athletes. Raising this trophy at the end justifies all the hard work we put in. We went there to represent the UK and crush it, just like Ben said.
«When we heard the results of cricket a few hours later, everyone was like, 'It's a great day to play at the Stokes.' . was the saying of the day.
“I think Libby was very proud to tell her father when he finished that she was the European champion. The cricket team makes us proud and is a great role model for our young athletes.
“Of course, Ben's hard work takes its toll on Libby. She understands the importance of training and never misses it — she works very hard.”
The Hawks entered their fifth European Championship, qualifying as one of the five clubs representing the UK on the European stage. after the National Championships in March.
Stokes' daughter's team had high hopes of being the reigning European Mini-Chirdans Champion since 2016.
Ben and Claire Stokes with their two children at Lord's
“For Libby, this is quite a prestigious team. It was nerve-wracking to come back as champions — it's hard to be at the top,» added Ms Taylor.
Stokes' daughter took up cheerleading shortly before the pandemic and spent much of her first year at Zoom.
Meanwhile, his wife Claire has taken up the sport since lockdown. With a background in dancing, she became a coach and now helps out junior teams.
After Sunday's win over Australia by three wickets, England are now down 2-1 in the Ashes with two Tests left.
Speaking after the game, Stokes, who hit 80-of-108 in the first inning, said: «I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous during the end. I've walked about 2km in Headingley's dressing room in the last half hour, but I haven't really seen how the last 20 runs are counted.
“We saved the series. We just need to leave everything from this week, but continue the way we play.”
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