Canberra Raiders to replace cheerleaders with community dance competition

Cheerleaders for the Canberra Raiders are reportedly "heartbroken" by the decision to stop using their cheer squad for the team’s NRL home games in 2017 and instead run a community competition for local dance schools, but the club has denied the move was due to negative perceptions of cheerleading.

When the NRL season resumes, the club will run a competition for local dance schools on game days in place of its cheer squad the Emeralds.

Melissa Gelonese from Rogue Dolls Australia, which runs the Emeralds, said the squad was disappointed by the decision.

Gelonese told the ABC “they're heartbroken, because you have to understand that they're also big Raiders fans, and their heart and soul is in that place.

"The girls have really been behind, as corporate ambassadors, some really big charities in Canberra.

"In terms of the decision (to run a community competition), I actually think it's a great idea, but more so as an addition to the cheer squad and not to replace the cheer squad."

After assuming co-ownership of  South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2006, Russell Crowe moved to replace his club's cheerleaders with drummers to appease spectators who were apparently uncomfortable with scantily-clad female dancers.

However, the Raiders said its decision was not made for similar reasons.

Raiders Commercial and Marketing Manager Jason Mathie told Fairfax Media “this is not about the cheerleaders. It's about a point of difference.

Catherine Lumby, who works with the NRL to improve off-field culture, said cheerleading still had a place in modern football suggesting a larger problem with attitudes towards cheerleaders.

Lumby stated "if you go to see the ballet, you see ... women in tiny tutus and tight leotards and no-one has a problem with that.

"But when you see women who are more voluptuous dancing in skimpy costumes as well, with pom poms, then there's automatically this idea that those women are bimbos."

Gelonese also rejected the notion that cheerleading was inappropriate at NRL games, adding “there's a massive perception problem with Canberra people when it comes to cheerleading.

"At the end of the day the girls are going out there and it's a sport, and it's art.

"The perception that it's anything else is completely inaccurate."

Each of the schools involved in the new competition will be given a $500 donation for performing.

Late last year the International Olympic Committee gave “provisional recognition” to cheerleading, meaning the sport can apply to become part of the sports program at future Olympic Games.

28th August 2016 - OVER 61,000 ATTEND COLLEGE FOOTBALL SYDNEY CUP AT ANZ STADIUM 

28th September 2015 - TOKYO OLYMPICS ORGANISERS CALL FOR FIVE MORE SPORTS FOR 2020 GAMES

15th June 2015 - IMPROVED SCHEDULING AIMS TO BOOST ATTENDANCES AT CANBERRA SPORTING EVENTS

28th February 2015 - NRL CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF COMMUNITY CARNIVAL 

26th February 2014 - REDEVELOPMENT ON HOLD AT GIO STADIUM CANBERRA

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.