The Burman University Acronaires' 51st home show, held on Friday, April 4, drew a packed crowd of spectators and families for the country-themed event.
The team performed a variety of acts, including tumbling, balancing feats with balls and heights, silks performances, and the aerial hoop, also known as the lyra. The show entertained spectators for more than an hour.
Ron Schafer, director of physical education at Burman University and coach of the Acronaires, has been involved with the team since its inception in 1973. He has seen the team grow over the years and witnessed a wide range of ages come through the doors. “It seems if the body is willing and still able, the passion just doesn’t go away,” Schafer said.
Schafer noted that over the years, he’s seen children as young as 10 in the Jr. Acronaires program, and during the team’s 40th anniversary, a member performed at the age of 70.
“If a person is willing to work hard and learn, that’s what we need,” Schafer said. “We get most of our students with no background before they arrive here, so it takes a few years to get them to the level.”
Toby Asante, assistant coach of the Acronaires, has been with the team since the 1990s and shares the same sentiment. “I think that’s one of my favourite things about the team: it’s for all ages, shapes, and sizes,” Asante said.
The team is now preparing for a performance trip to Belize at the end of the month, where they are scheduled to perform 15 shows across the country.
And a word of caution from Coach Schafer: “Do not try these things at home. It takes a lot of training and skill.”