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More on KentOnline
Two sisters are preparing to join Team England's cheerleading squad before heading to Florida to compete in the world championship.
Taylor and Madison Joslin-Wood, from Gillingham, were told they had both been selected as solid members on Sunday after trying out in August.
Taylor, 20, and Madison, 16 will be hoping to compete at the International Cheer Union competition in Disney World, Florida next year.
Their mum, Jennifer Joslin-Wood, 43, who works for the NHS, said: "I did not know what to say. I am just in awe.
"It is every cheerleaders dream to go to worlds."
The girls have joined the Adaptive Ability squad, a pom style of cheer which focuses on dance technique and integrates disabled and non-disabled athletes into a unified team of performers.
Both have won both regional and national titles over the years with their medal collection described by Jennifer as "phenomenal".
The single mum-of-four said she was gobsmacked when the girls told her their news.
She said getting into the team together means even more to them coming from a close family.
Jennifer added: "They broke down and sobbed. They have worked so hard over the years.
"They could not speak for a couple of minutes."
The two sisters, who have both attended Rainham School for Girls, have been training together at MCDA Allstars in Chatham but have achieved their spot on Team England independently of the club.
But in order to travel to the USA, the girls need to self-fund the trip and have set up a JustGiving page to help raise £2,000.
Taylor said: "Dance and cheerleading have always played a huge role in both of our lives and it is something we both are extremely passionate about."
Last year the Canterbury Christ Church University student auditioned for the squad successfully winning a place but was unable to compete due to coronavirus halting international travel.
Jennifer added: "The sweat, passion and determination they have put into it over the years is incredible. It is well and truly deserved."
To help support the girls visit their fundraising page here
