A Look at Espérance Esch, Luxembourg's Cheerleading Club

In the latest in a series of articles about sports clubs in Luxembourg, Chronicle.lu had the opportunity to speak with Tessy Alesch, President of Espérance Esch, about the Espérance sports club, based in Esch-sur-Alzette.

The focus of this series is on sports which are less often covered in the news, yet have strong links with the international community in the Grand Duchy. Some are already well-established; others are relatively new.

Chronicle.lu: Why and when was your sports club established?

Tessy Alesch: The club was founded by men in 1913, and it wasn't until 1983 that the first women joined the association.

Chronicle.lu: What are some of the links your club has with the international community in Luxembourg?

Tessy Alesch: At our sports club, diversity thrives. We welcome individuals from various backgrounds who come together, train and engage in sports as one cohesive unit despite hailing from different countries and speaking diverse languages. The beauty lies in our ability to communicate effectively despite these differences. It's immensely valuable for each person to train alongside individuals from diverse nations. Notably, the Portuguese community is prominently represented, as is the case with the Luxembourgish children. Despite these distinctions, everyone trains and communicates harmoniously together.

Chronicle.lu: What activities, coaching and training programmes, etc. does your club offer and who is your main target audience or age group? Do you offer different levels for beginners and experienced athletes?

Tessy Alesch: Primarily, we offer training to children of all ages, sports activities such as gymnastics, cheerleading, trampoline and dance. We have something tailored for each age group, facilitating their training needs. The majority of our participants fall between the ages of three and nine. Beyond twelve years old, we notice a decline in the number of children engaging in gymnastics or participating in our club activities. We are offering training courses for all levels.

Chronicle.lu: What are your club's main goals and objectives, both in terms of sports and community involvement?

Tessy Alesch: We aim for everyone to feel comfortable in our club and, where possible, train at a higher level if they choose. Those with the capability are welcome to excel, while those who might not be as naturally gifted can continue at a lower level. Ultimately, our goal is to integrate as many people as possible into our club community.

Chronicle.lu: How have these sports, namely cheerleading, grown in Luxembourg over the years?

Tessy Alesch: It's interesting to see that the number of participants in our courses drastically dropped during the COVID-19 period, but now we're noticing more and more people enrolling again. Luxembourg has been steadily developing its gymnastics scene over the past years. The country has been investing in infrastructure, coaching and programmes to promote gymnastics at various levels, nurturing talent and fostering participation in both recreational and competitive gymnastics. There has been an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth involvement and fostering a culture of fitness and skill development through gymnastics.
Luxembourg has [also] seen some growth in cheerleading over the past years. The sport has been gaining recognition and popularity, attracting individuals interested in its combination of dance, gymnastics and team spirit.

Chronicle.lu: What are some of the benefits of playing these particular sports?

Tessy Alesch: Gymnastics offers numerous benefits such as enhanced strength, flexibility, coordination, balance and agility. It also promotes discipline, focus, confidence and mental resilience. [...] Artistic gymnastics, with its focus on strength, flexibility and performance, offers a range of benefits. It enhances overall body strength, especially in the core, arms and legs, while improving flexibility and agility. [It] also encourages creativity and expression through routines and performances.
Dance provides various benefits including improved cardiovascular health, increased flexibility, enhanced muscular strength and endurance. It also boosts coordination, balance and posture while serving as a great way to express emotions and creativity. Moreover, dancing can contribute to stress reduction and increased self-confidence.
Cheerleading [...] also promotes teamwork, communication skills and discipline. Additionally, it enhances confidence, encourages leadership qualities and fosters a sense of camaraderie among team members. Cheerleading routines also provide opportunities for creativity and self-expression.
Trampolining is [...] great for building leg and core strength while also promoting bone density. Additionally, [it] can be a fun way to relieve stress and improve mental well-being by releasing endorphins.

Chronicle.lu: What events, tournaments or competitions is your club participating in or hosting in the new year?

Tessy Alesch: [In 2024], as usual, in March, we'll organise our Kids' Gym and Dance Gala. Following that, in June, the entire club will participate in our main Gala. Then, in July, we're hosting our sound competition called the Bonaria Cup. Additionally, our cheerleaders will be competing at the Summit, the international Cheerleader World Championship in Florida, slated for May.

Chronicle.lu: How can someone interested in joining your club become a member? Are there any membership fees or other requirements?

Tessy Alesch: Anyone interested in joining our club must sign up online on our website www.esperance.lu. Once registered, they can freely participate in the course they intend to attend throughout the upcoming season. The membership fee depends on the group the person would like to join, too. The membership fee for the club ranges from €150 to €230 per season. This fee allows participation in any group's course from September to July.

Tessy Alesch, President of Espérance Esch