A master’s student at Turība University, Elizabete Freimane, is a vivid example of how it is possible to combine studies, work, and a passion for sports. She graduated in June 2024 from Turība’s Bachelor’s programme “Tourism and Hospitality Management”, and is now continuing her education at the master’s level in the Faculty of Business Administration, studying through e-learning. However, her studies and paid work have not limited Elizabete’s desire to stay active and develop her skills in cheerleading.

Elizabete has found a passion that allows her to share her knowledge and experience - to improve herself and also to help others. Alongside work, studies, and cheerleading training, she also supports Turība University’s newly revived cheerleading team this year.

“I had been thinking about creating Turība’s cheerleading team for several years. The previous team has split up, but I dreamed of reviving it to promote the university’s sporting spirit and cohesion. However, I realized that creating and leading a team alone is quite challenging – it requires management skills, creativity in choreography, and time to organize participation in various events”.

Elizabete proudly notes that she is pleased with the students’ initiative to revive the cheerleading team, where she now shares her experience, particularly in mastering acrobatic elements, helping the team grow and become stronger.

“I have been dancing since I was a child and discovered cheerleading as a hobby five years ago, so helping the team improve acrobatic elements brings me real joy. It is an opportunity not only to share my knowledge, but also to learn new things about myself, develop communication and team leadership skills, because not everyone has experience in this sport, and it’s important to help team members overcome their fears,” Elizabete explains.

She emphasizes that her studies have particularly helped her develop communication skills, which are useful beyond the classroom. She says: “During my studies, I learned to collaborate with different people and create motivation not only for myself, but also for others. In the cheerleading team, this is especially important – without trust and a positive atmosphere, it’s hard to achieve the desired results”.

Talking about cheerleading in general, Elizabete highlights the importance of acrobatics in performances: “Without acrobatic elements, a performance is just a dance routine lacking dynamics and surprise,” she explains.

She adds that the cheerleading team’s goal is to create excitement and engage the audience: “During basketball game breaks, the team’s task is to captivate spectators instantly and hold their attention, and acrobatics is one of the best ways to achieve that”.

Regarding challenges in helping the team, Elizabete notes that building trust and confidence is key – both in herself and the other team members. She says that sometimes psychological barriers prevent performing new acrobatic elements, but overcoming these and successfully executing them increases confidence and brings satisfaction – for both the team members and herself.

In sharing her experience, Elizabete emphasizes discipline and motivation as the biggest challenges in cheerleading training. She notes that there are moments when she doesn’t feel like going to practice and would rather stay home and watch series, but she knows that skipping practice could mean missing upcoming games or other opportunities.

For newcomers or those considering joining extracurricular activities, Elizabete advises taking the initiative and getting involved.

“There are so many opportunities at Turība – sports teams, events, initiatives. Sometimes it may seem difficult to balance studies and activities, but this experience helps you get to know yourself, build contacts, and gain skills useful in professional life. The key is learning to plan your time and set priorities. If done thoughtfully, you can manage everything – study, participate in events, and enjoy student life”.

“Courage often opens doors to new opportunities. Thus, my advice is – be active, open, and don’t be afraid to take initiative,” Elizabete adds with a smile.