The Oak Flats-based Academy of Cheerleading is celebrating its tenth year in 2015, and currently boasts about 130 athletes of various ages.

The cheer and dance club's competitors hail from throughout the region.

This includes athletes of four years and older, with no maximum age.

Owner, Albion Park's Nicole Gomes, said the club had typically been successful at invitational, state and national competitions every year.

"Last year we actually received our most rewarding award yet; our senior Level 3 cheer team, they became the national grand champions.

"Fingers crossed we'll go alright this year ... we've got a lot of good, exciting routines happening, and the kids are all pumped."

This year's competition season runs from June to November.

The nationals will take place in Melbourne in November.

"That's the big one that we work towards," Mrs Gomes said.

"There is a category that you can enter, the worlds bid category, and our Open Pom team (14 years and older division) are going to enter that category this year.

"Basically, if they come first we get a partially-paid bid to go to the world championships early next year, to compete at the worlds in Orlando."

Mrs Gomes said although it had been hampered by some false perceptions, the sport was growing due to word-of-mouth.

"Now, when you talk to people, when you say the word cheerleading, they actually have half an understanding of what it entails, whereas a couple of years ago they used to question which football team you were cheerleading for, which was disheartening," she said.

"Sadly, a few people see what is at football games and think that we do that side of cheerleading.

"They didn't view it as a sport, but it's getting a lot better now."

Mrs Gomes said a great deal of skill and discipline was involved in executing the range of tumbles, stunts, tosses, pyramids and dances.

"It's very high intensity and fitness," she said.

"It's lots of fun, you work as a team ... Dance and gymnastics can be quite individual and a bit more competitive within the group. But when you're here, you work as a team and at the competitions the environment is awesome.

"Everyone cheers each other on; parents are expected to cheer for their children.

"The parents are lovely, the kids have a lovely time and the coaches are great," Mrs Gomes said.