What do students, a self-proclaimed "mummy’s boy" and acrobatic stunts have in common?

Leading the new Singapore Cheer at this year's National Day Parade 2008 (NDP 2008), of course.

Come August 9, Singapore will join hands with a 300-strong cheerleading team – made up of mostly students from the junior colleges and tertiary institutes - in shouting out this new cheer.

AsiaOne got a sneak peek of this rousing performance.

These performers, some of whom belong to Magnum Force, an award-winning cheerleading squad with Ngee Ann Polytechnic, shared with AsiaOne their feelings on being first-time performers at the NDP.

"We go through a taxing regime and a specific training schedule to build flexibility, strength, endurance, speed and stamina," Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Karen Neo, 20, admitted.

"It's not a very easy sport as every movement has to be synchronised.

"And sometimes we have to sacrifice what a 20-year-old poly student has to have (referring to her social life)", added the spunky girl who also doubles up as a cheerleading coach.

STAND UP AND SCREAM ALONG

The cheerleaders' role in the Parade can be interpreted as a significant push for youths to celebrate the Singapore spirit as well.

Connecting it with how cheerleading is a team sport, the team finds it worthwhile to inspire other youths to feel passionate for the nation.

"If they can see the spirit in us, then we can also spread the spirit to them so they will be influenced by us," quipped Amy Ong, 20, a fellow Magnum Force cheerleader

"If you see someone screaming, you wouldn't just stand there! You would scream along!"

However, Karen feels that following takes courage. "Sometimes people won't take a step forward if you don't pull them along, so we'll encourage them along."

"It is important not to give up on them," adds Lenny Foo, 27, the coach of Magnum Force who incidentally has the words “Mummy’s Boy” tattooed at the back of his forearm.

In the meantime, these high energy youngsters are confident that they can rouse the whole of Marina Bay during the event.

"It's Singapore's birthday. No matter how reserved people are, on that day itself everyone will be more enthusiastic,” said Karen with a bright grin.