Questions? We've Got You.

Notts Hotshots Cheer & Dance Academy is a cheerleading and dance programme based in Watnall, Nottinghamshire.

We provide recreational and competitive opportunities across cheerleading, Hip-Hop, lyrical, pom and tumbling, with pathways ranging from complete beginners through to national and international competition.

You can learn more on our About Hotshots page .

Hotshots has opportunities from age 3 through to adult athletes.

The most suitable starting point depends on age, discipline, experience and current spaces. Our Classes page is the best place to explore the main options.

No. Many athletes walk through the Hotshots doors as complete beginners.

Beginner and recreational pathways allow athletes to learn foundations, develop confidence and build skills before considering competitive opportunities.

Free taster opportunities are available for many beginner and recreational classes, subject to current spaces.

Visit Find The Right Class or contact our team with the athlete's age and interests.

If you're completely new to Hotshots, start with our Classes page . It explains our main beginner, recreational and competitive pathways.

If you already know what you're looking for, send us the athlete's age, previous experience and preferred discipline through our Contact page and we'll help identify the most suitable option.

Absolutely. Cheerleading, tumbling and dance are open to athletes of all genders.

Boys can develop skills across stunting, tumbling, jumps, dance, performance and teamwork just like every other Hotshots athlete.

Yes. Athletes arrive with very different personalities, confidence levels and previous experiences.

Our aim is to give new athletes time to understand the class, build relationships with coaches and teammates, experience achievable progress and become more confident at their own pace.

Our programme includes cheerleading , Hip-Hop , lyrical dance , pom and tumbling , alongside recreational and competitive pathways.

Recreational classes focus on learning skills, confidence, activity and enjoyment without the same competition commitment.

Competitive athletes train as part of a specific team, learn routines and attend scheduled competitions throughout the season.

For beginners interested in cheerleading, Cheer4Fun can provide a welcoming recreational starting point.

Comfortable sports clothing such as leggings or shorts with a T-shirt or vest is ideal. Long hair should be tied back and athletes should bring a drink.

If a particular class requires specific footwear, our team can advise you before attending.

No. Tumbling is only one part of cheerleading. Athletes can also develop stunts, jumps, dance, performance, teamwork and routine skills.

Tumbling can be developed progressively through training. You can also explore our Tumbling programme .

Yes. Hotshots offers additional tumbling opportunities alongside team training, subject to current availability.

These sessions focus specifically on developing floor-based tumbling skills and progressions. Visit our Tumbling page for more information.

Yes, where suitable spaces and schedules allow. Many Hotshots athletes take part in more than one discipline, for example cheer alongside lyrical or Hip-Hop.

Speak to our team about what is realistic and appropriate for your athlete's age, goals and weekly commitments.

Regular attendance supports progress in every class, but it is particularly important for competitive teams because routines depend on the whole team.

Missing training can affect stunt groups, formations, choreography and the progress of other athletes. Choreography sessions and scheduled competitive commitments are especially important.

Families should communicate unavoidable absences or lateness to coaches as early as possible.

Team placement considers much more than one individual skill.

Coaches consider factors including age, current technique, experience, consistency, team requirements, stunt positions, routine needs and the environment they believe will best support the athlete's development.

No. Competitive progression is not simply based on how long an athlete has been at Hotshots.

Coaches consider whether an athlete is technically and developmentally ready for the demands of another level, division or team and how they fit into the overall routine requirements.

Competition schedules vary by team, discipline and season. Teams may attend several events throughout the competition year.

Families receive the relevant calendar and commitments for their athlete's specific team.

Yes. Selected Hotshots teams have earned opportunities to compete internationally.

The programme has earned multiple All-Star Worlds and European Summit bids, and Hotshots athletes reached the All-Star Worlds finals in Orlando in 2026.

International opportunities are earned by specific teams and are not automatically part of every athlete's competitive season. You can explore the programme's international milestones on our Achievements page .

Competitive athletes are expected to attend regular training, choreography sessions and scheduled competitions, arrive prepared and on time, practise appropriately and support the standards of their team throughout the season.

Competitive cheer and dance are team activities, so individual commitment directly affects teammates.

Sometimes, but only when a suitable vacancy exists and the coaching team believes the placement works for both the athlete and the existing team.

Once routines have been built and competition preparation is underway, available spaces can be very limited.

Fees vary depending on the class, team, discipline and level of commitment.

Contact our team for the current cost of the specific class or opportunity you're considering. This helps ensure families receive the latest information rather than relying on an older website price.

Competition entry fees and other season-specific expenses may be separate from regular training fees.

Competitive families receive information about relevant costs, requirements and payment deadlines for their team.

Yes. Competitive teams require the appropriate Hotshots competition uniform and any other compulsory teamwear specified for their discipline or team.

Current Hotshots clothing, accessories and merchandise can be purchased through our online shop, with additional merchandise also available at the academy.

Visit the Hotshots Shop →

For compulsory uniforms and teamwear, families should attend available fit-kit or sizing opportunities whenever possible.

Exchange or return options can depend on the product, whether it has been personalised and whether it was ordered specifically for an individual athlete. Check the relevant ordering information before purchasing.

This depends on the class and age group. For most sessions we operate a drop-off approach so athletes can concentrate, develop independence and allow coaches to run training effectively.

Your coach or the Hotshots team will advise you of the arrangements that apply to your athlete's class.

Current Hotshots families receive information through the relevant academy communication channels, including team updates and email where appropriate.

These communications cover areas such as training, competitions, kit, events, deadlines and other important team information.

Please speak to us before or during the joining process.

Information about how an athlete learns, communicates or responds to particular environments can help our coaching team understand what support may be useful within the structure and practical requirements of the class.

Please tell the relevant coaching team as early as possible.

This is particularly important for competitive teams, where one athlete's absence can affect a stunt group, formation or planned section of a routine.

Contact the academy so your concern can be directed to the appropriate coach or member of the leadership team.

For information specifically relating to athlete welfare and safeguarding, please visit our Safeguarding page .

Our dedicated academy is based at 12 Headstocks Industrial Park, Watnall, Nottinghamshire, NG16 1AA.

Visit our Finding Us page for more information before your first visit.

Our coaching team is enhanced DBS checked and coaches hold training and qualifications relevant to their roles and disciplines.

We also place emphasis on ongoing coach development, appropriate progression and athlete welfare. Meet the people behind the programme on our Team page .

Cheerleading includes technical skills such as stunting and tumbling that require appropriate coaching, progression and training conditions.

At Hotshots, skills are developed progressively rather than athletes being rushed into skills beyond their current readiness. Athlete welfare and appropriate skill progression form an important part of how training is structured.

You can read more about our approach on the Safeguarding page .

Yes. Notts Hotshots operates from its dedicated cheer and dance academy in Watnall, Nottinghamshire, providing training space for our cheer, dance and tumbling programmes.

Find our facility and plan your visit on our Finding Us page .

Yes. Our facility is available for selected external bookings, including cheer, dance and other suitable sports or activity use.

Visit our Venue Hire page for more information and to enquire.

You can read feedback from Hotshots families on our Testimonials page .