More than 300 pupils and students from all over Newham took part in a spring showcase with world champions the Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders.

The Custom House-based AEC organisation invited primary and secondary schools to train with them at ExCeL London on March 29 in their Talent Central Spring Showcase in a unique competition.

Rosetta Primary School, in Canning Town, and St Angela’s Ursuline Convent School, in Upton Park, won their respective divisions while Cumberland School, in Plaistow, came tops in Dance and NewVIc led the disability division.

The exercise was a chance to share their expertise, sporting achievements, and postive attitude with young people in the borough.

AEC founder Shara Brice, who moved back to her home in the USA last summer, said: “Ascension Eagles are Newham’s finest example of a sustainable and resilient community based organisation.

“The majority of our leaders have grown up in Newham, and have achieved international recognition.

“They have been investing their positive life experiences back into AEC for years, and I have had the privilege of working alongside them.

“They are the authentic leaders who speak the language of our kids, and who inspire the next generation to follow in their record-breaking, history-making footsteps.”

Founding member and newly appointed director Angela Green said: “This is a significant season of change, and it gives the next generation a chance to make their mark within our AEC story.

“There is so much opportunity around us to make a positive difference, and we are proud of all we achieve for our Olympic borough and families who live here.”

Last month, AEC entered five teams at the ICC British Open in Nottingham and won four Firsts and one Second as well as three Grand Champion titles.

Next month, the group will represent England at the Cheerleading World Championships in Orlando, they will perform at the 2012 Games and, later on in the year, filming will begin on Big Talk’s Ascension Eagles film.