Philadelphia has long been known for its underdog spirit, and in the world of competitive cheerleading, that determination runs deep.
The upcoming docuseries Spirit sheds light on the George Washington High School cheerleading team, a group of athletes who defied the odds and made history by becoming the first cheer squad from the School District of Philadelphia to qualify for the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) High School Nationals.
Directed by Philadelphia native Matt Howley and produced by NBA star Steph Curry’s Unanimous Media, Spirit premieres on Comcast’s “Black Experience” platform on February 27.
This four-part series captures the grit and determination of the George Washington High cheer team—nicknamed “G-Dub”—as they strive for greatness, battling stereotypes and overcoming immense challenges along the way.
The documentary showcases how the G-Dub team, led by coaches Michele Sorkin-Socki and Veronica Hayes, prepares for their biggest competition yet.
Despite a lack of resources and a gym that barely meets the needs of a competitive cheer team, the squad keeps pushing forward, practicing relentlessly and even holding bake sales and GoFundMe campaigns to fund their journey to Dallas.
Their story is one of perseverance, teamwork, and breaking barriers within their sport and lives outside of cheerleading.
Matt Howley, who has directed other sports documentaries, including the Emmy-nominated Basketball or Nothing, admits that before Spirit, he knew very little about cheerleading.
But after spending time with the athletes and learning about their challenges and aspirations, he was moved by their unwavering determination.
“I think the thing that stayed with me is just finding a way and not taking no for an answer,” Howley reflects.
He emphasizes that the series isn’t solely for a cheerleading audience—it’s a universal story about overcoming adversity, and it invites viewers to connect with the athletes on a human level, regardless of their familiarity with the sport.
For many of the team members, the journey to Nationals was about challenging the perceptions people have of cheerleading, particularly in communities like theirs.
As one cheerleader explains in the Spirit trailer, “People think we are the bottom end of the cheer world.”
For the G-Dub athletes, the opportunity to compete at Nationals was a chance to prove that they belonged in the conversation, not just in cheerleading but in any field they chose to pursue.
The series also touches on the powerful stories of the athletes off the mat, offering a glimpse into the personal struggles they face, ranging from gun violence to immigration.
A prominent theme of the series is overcoming life’s obstacles and finding hope and strength.
Spirit also highlights the collaboration with Steph Curry’s Unanimous Media, which was drawn to the project after seeing the potential of the team’s journey.
Curry, once an underdog in the basketball world, could relate to the cheerleaders’ fight to prove they belonged.
When the team heard Curry was involved, their excitement was evident.
The G-Dub team made it to Nationals in January 2023, competing against the nation’s best cheer squads.
Though they finished 10th, just reaching that level was a monumental achievement.
Against all odds, they set a new standard for what’s possible, proving that anyone, no matter where they come from or what resources they lack, has the potential to achieve greatness.
Starting Thursday, Spirit will be available to stream on Comcast’s “Black Experience” content hub, allowing audiences across Xfinity entertainment devices to witness the inspiring story of the George Washington High cheer team.
