The team behind the team
The people working behind the scenes
Behind the team stands a dedicated group of coaches, board members, and trusted individuals who work tirelessly to make everything possible. Through guidance, leadership, and unwavering belief, they provide the foundation that allows the team to grow and succeed. This team behind the team is essential to turning the UCA dream into reality.
Ariel
Head Coach
Cheerleading has been my life for 14 years — at this point, I think my body automatically hits a high V when someone calls my name. I love performing, and cheer gives me the magic of doing wild skills that are impossible alone… but absolutely possible with a team.
I started cheerleading in Malaysia, and when I moved to the Netherlands, cheer wasn’t popular yet. So naturally, I rolled up my sleeves, gathered some brave humans, and started teaching them how to throw people in the air. Seven years later, I’m now an Advanced ICU–certified coach. UCA is the third Dutch team I’m coaching this year, and I’m beyond excited to see this team rise. With experience from both the East and the West, I blend both cultures into my coaching style.
By day I’m a marketing manager; by night I’m either coaching, training, or singing my heart out at a musical theater.
Tom
Co-coach
Hi everyone, I’m Tom. I’m 31 years old, and cheerleading has been a central part of my life from the moment I started. I currently serve as the assistant coach for UCA Cheerleading and I’m also an athlete on Team NL.
What I love most about cheerleading is the trust and connection you build with the people you stunt with. My goal as a coach is to share my passion for the sport, help athletes grow, and inspire more people to discover what cheerleading can offer.
Ailleen Boland
Chair
My name is Ailleen, I am 29 years old. As the chair of UCA I hope to make cheerleading a better-known sport in the Netherlands. It is so much more than dancing with pompoms and yelling phrases. It is fun, challenging and you learn to trust yourself and your teammates.
My cheer adventure started with a beginners course at USC in 2022 I have fallen in love with the sport. I love the physical and mental challenges it gives me.
I hope I can make UCA a place where people can try out cheerleading, learn new advanced skills, be part of a team, use us as a stepping stone to become part of team NL, and of course have a lot of fun!Next to being chair I have a very busy life. I am very proud to be a part of the National cheerleading team. A lot of my time goes into practicing for team NL, strength, conditioning, flexibility, tumbling and of course stunting. And as if this is not enough sport activities, I also play softball and I work at a sporty daycare.
Lisa Köhler
Secretary
I'm Lisa, data scientist by day and UCA secretary by night! As secretary you may have seen my name signed off on several UCA emails, but I am also designated minute taker and assist with other organisational tasks.
Before cheerleading, I cycled through a long list of hobbies: bouldering, puzzles, board games, and Pokémon. But tumbling and throwing people was definitely not on my list of expertise, and with now 1 year of experience under my belt, I still have a lot to learn and a lot of fun to have!
Joffrey Straub
Penny
Hi! I’m Joffrey and 26 years old. This is my second year of cheerleading I’ve always loved sports, but cheer really brings the energy I enjoy most and somehow I'm still injury-free (don't ask the others)! Outside of training, I will be the treasurer of UCA, so I make sure the budget sticks the landing too.
Christopher Woodney
Captain & PR
Hey y'allemaal!
I'm Chris, 29 years young and one of UCA's captains! I joined the team two years ago when UCA was just starting out, and I instantly fell head over heels for the sport. Outside of cheer, I’m into reading, playing the guitar (mainly blues), and spending time with friends. I'm currently learning to ride a motorcycle, and I absolutely love to travel. The Red Sea is my favourite spot so far, especially for scuba diving. By day, I work as a youth worker with refugees, and I'm passionate about making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Denise Visser
Captain & PR
Hello cheerios! My name is Denise, I’m 26 years old and I’ve been passionate about cheerleading for as long as I can remember. I started cheerleading in 2018 with a friend’s team, and it quickly became one of the most important parts of my life.
Cheer gives me energy, confidence, and a way to express myself, both through teamwork and performance. Alongside cheerleading, I also love being creative with art, photography or thinking outside the box. But you can also find me hurled up with a book, gaming or out with friends.
Mattia
Confidant
Hello, my name is Mattia and I am currently in the final stages of my Master in Molecular Neurosciences. I started cheer this season and UCA has been an extremely welcoming environment. I am keen to develop my skills as a base further to compete for UCA at Nationals. When I am not busy catching flyers, you can probably catch me in the lab, in the gym, playing games with friends, or talking nonsense only few understand.
My role as a trust contact person for UCA is to be the first point of contact for people to go to when they experience or notice any transgressive behaviour. My aim is to keep UCA a place where everyone feels welcome, safe, and heard.
Mila
Hi, I’m Mila, 24 years old, and proud to be part of UCA since season 25/26.
Within the team, I combine multiple roles: I’m your confidant, and also the team physio, and tumble coach ;) With my background in gymnastics and my knowledge of the human body, I support our athletes in reaching their full physical potential.
I love working on clean tumbling, body awareness, and help with injuries — but for me, it’s about more than just skills. Cheer is just as mental as it is physical.
When things don’t go as planned, I’m always there for a conversation. I want everyone to feel safe, supported, and heard. Because when athletes feel good mentally, they perform their best physically ♡
Confidant and tumble coach
