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A Caerphilly teenager will be competing amongst some of the best young cheerleaders in the world this week.

Ruby Holifield, 16, has travelled to the junior world championships in Orlando, Florida, with the five-day competition getting underway on Wednesday April 24.

Having been a gymnast for nine years, Ruby, who studies art and design at Coleg y Cymoedd, switched to cheerleading and hopes the trip will be the next step in her career.

She said: “I have been doing cheer for three years now and this will be my first time at the worlds.

“I am extremely nervous about the upcoming competition, but I know it’s going to be a once in a lifetime experience.”

Ruby has travelled stateside with teammates Amelia James, 17, and Libby Andrews, 18, both from Pontypridd.

Ruby continued: “The Wales team is formed each year specifically for the competition so I’m most looking forward to being all together in Florida and enjoying our last time as a team together.

“Hopefully it will be the start of my experience competing at the world championships.”

The five days in Florida are split into two tournaments. The junior world championships will be held between Wednesday April 23 and Friday April 26.

After that, there will be a club competition between Saturday April 27 and Monday April 29.