Kids have wanted to be stars for as long as they’ve had stars to aspire to be. These days though, the drive to be famous seems to have found a new gear, what with shows like American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance? ready to pluck young talent eagerly awaiting their shot and thrust them into the big time. Thus, anything that could give you a chance at the spotlight is worth a shot – even cheerleading for boys.

BOY CHEERLEADERS follows the DAZL Diamonds – a local youth all-male cheerleading squad from Leeds. This film gives us a look into the lives of the boys, their coach and their families as they prepare for the English national Championships. Their goal is to be the first all-boys team to lift a trophy at the event.

In many cases, the boys’ fathers aren’t terribly fussed about their sons’ choice of activity (this is more of a rugby town). So the comparisons to BILLY ELLIOT are inevitable, especially when one team member even follows Billy’s example and tries out for a ballet school. Like that film and the stage production it spawned, seeing such enthusiasm for something like dance in a working class community is a beautiful thing: Like a wildflower blooming through a crack in the sidewalk.

The one question I was left with when the film ended was about the subject of teasing. Kids are cruel, that’s an absolute. Within the framework of BOY CHEERLEADERS though, we’re never really shown any bullying or torment that these kids have to face for doing something generally considered “for girls”. It’s possible that they never get picked on in such ways, but given how well-spoken some of the kids are for their age, I would have loved to have heard their side of what they have to endure.

Between the limitless passion of their coach, and the tremendous effort the boys give towards their goal, this film is an inspiration. While they might all harbour dreams of being the next Wayne Rooney or David Beckham, they’re also willing to try to be the next Darcey Brussell if it means they can have some fun and be a star for three minutes. The story of their journey to fame is one that shouldn’t be missed.

BOY CHEERLEADERS plays tomorrow – 8:00pm at Cumberland, again on Sunday May 1st – 3:30pm at The Lightbox, and once more on Sunday May 8th – 6:45pm at Isabel Bader.