Our cheerleading squad won't rebrand to please the “PC-push” - SBS

April 01, 2019 at 10:31PM

Above video: Why women's AFL is so important to me.

It started with South Sydney scrapping their cheerleaders back in 2007. Now, teams like the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and Melbourne Storm are 'rebranding' their cheerleaders as 'dance squads' or 'hip-hop street crews'.

But as Newcastle Knights cheerleading co-captain Therese Wells told The Feed, it's perceptions that have to change, not cheerleaders.

When I was a kid, I went to the Newcastle Knights games with my Dad and I idolised the cheerleaders.

My parents got in touch with them, and the captain at the time owned a studio. She has helped trained me to get to my current position, which has been ten years in the making.

Cheerleading is extremely athletic - we do a new routine every week and we have to assess any changes with the club and their branding.

But for most cheerleaders, this isn't our day job.

I'm studying biomedical engineering - my first degree was in biomedical science - and I manage a bar as well.

A lot of people who ask questions about the validity of cheerleading don't go to football games. They ask us why we are cheerleaders, even though they know nothing about us and haven't seen us perform as a game.

This has improved in the past two years since we've worked to become "ambassadors".

We have built a positive name for ourselves to shake anyone's preconceptions of cheerleading - working closely with the community.

I don't understand why some clubs are scrapping cheerleading.

I think we are amazing for the game and a great way for women to be involved, especially young dancers.

It's definitely more than what it looks - we work extremely hard, we are proud and we love the game.

Catch The Feed 8:30pm Thursdays and 5pm Sundays on SBS VICELAND. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.