The Redruth academy that grew from a school hall to 400 a week

Twelve years ago, a cheerleading class in Redruth could fit its entire membership into a school hall with room to spare. These days the doors of West Coast Academy open to more than four hundred people a week, all chasing the same thing in different ways. A new skill, a bit more confidence, and somewhere to burn off energy that has nothing to do with a screen.

From school hall sessions to a purpose-built base

West Coast Academy, known to its members as WCA, was founded in 2014 as a handful of school-based cheerleading sessions. Fewer than 100 athletes were attending in those early days. The academy has since grown into its own dedicated space in Redruth, and the numbers have grown with it. More than 400 athletes now come through the doors each week for parkour, gymnastics and cheerleading, alongside six competitive cheerleading teams that travel and compete across the country.

A parkour studio, a foam pit and a sprung floor

The purpose-built facilities include a dedicated parkour studio, fitted out with wooden obstacles, soft equipment and a new foam pit for softening the landings. Alongside it sits a specialist cheerleading and gymnastics studio, built around a sprung floor and a tumble track. The aim behind it all, the academy says, is simple. Help people stay active, learn new skills and build confidence in a fun and supportive environment.

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Six competitive teams and a name known well beyond Cornwall

Six competitive cheerleading teams now compete under the WCA banner, taking the academy on the road to competitions across the country. It is a long way from those first school-hall sessions, and it has not come at the expense of the weekly classes that got the academy started. Parkour, gymnastics and cheerleading sessions still run every week for the 400-plus athletes who turn up for them.

Free school assemblies and the return of Nerf Battle parties

Beyond the regular classes, West Coast Academy runs free assemblies for local schools, introducing children to parkour, gymnastics and cheerleading and to the wider benefits of being active. It also hosts parkour, gymnastics and cheerleading birthday parties, alongside what has become one of its most popular offerings, the Nerf Battle party.

“Doing things I never thought possible”

Twelve years on from that first school-hall session, the academy says it is proud of what has been built and is looking forward to what comes next. Parent James Gazzard, whose family has experienced it from more than one angle, sums up why parents keep coming back.

“A fantastic organisation supporting people to learn new skills and develop confidence. My kids, of various ages, love it here and I’ve now joined the adult gym session too, doing things I never thought possible!”