Roya, a 21-year-old third year students of architectural engineering at Victoria University, was born missing her left leg. Against the advice of doctors, she took up gymnastics as a teenager and hasn't looked back. Occasionally, it takes her a little longer to master a stunt as she delicately balances on the one leg, but for the most part she is the one pushing other team members to perform. "I like a challenge. I've been serious about cheerleading since I started. I don't stop halfway."
Roya is part of the university's new cheerleading squad, the VU Vipers.
The Vipers came together early last year and under the leadership of coach Natalie Commons they're ready to shake up the growing cheerleading scene. This month they claimed their first victory at the Australian Showdown Championships at Melbourne's Sports and Aquatics Centre.
At the championships, Roya performed a "tumble roll" - a cheerleading move that demands a high degree of co-ordination, skill and strength - to a thunderous round of applause.
The squad members are all VU students, and Natalie Commons says the Vipers are an inclusive bunch. "No matter what your skill level you can come and we will teach you the skills you need to participate. If we get enough people to get two squads we can have a try-out system where people with higher skills can go into a higher squad and the others can train to reach that level."
