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Australia’s Sweethearts: Why the NRL Should Stop Phasing out Their Cheerleaders

Writer's picture: Skyla ClarkeSkyla Clarke

Updated: Oct 20, 2024

A mixture of technical dance ability, glamour and encouragement, cheerleaders are an essential part of game day entertainment. Currently nearing the end of the National Rugby League season, cheerleaders have been increasingly visible as they travel to support their teams who are fighting for a place in the Grand Final. Last week, the Manly Sea Eagles cheerleaders, the Manly Seabirds, appeared in Central Sydney for the finals game against the Roosters.


Manly Seabirds Prepare to Perform in NRL Semi-Final (@manlyseabirds)


The Manly Seabirds’ uniform may remind you of another particularly famous cheer squad, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, who have recently starred in their own Netflix documentary. This documentary has brought much attention to the squad and to the career of cheerleading in general, highlighting issues around pay, oversexualization, and the amount of time and commitment required to be a professional cheerleader. 


While cheerleading is a very popular sport in America, the same reception isn’t often received down under. In recent years, many NRL teams have ditched their cheer squads over fears of, in 2007 South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Russel Crowe’s words, making men ‘uncomfortable’. 


In 2006, 16 NRL teams had cheerleading squads. In 2024, there are only eight. The Canberra Raiders and Melbourne Storm ditched their squads in 2019, Gold Coast Titans and Wests Tigers in 2020, the Parramatta Eels and Illawarra Dragons in 2021. Other squads, such as the Brisbane Broncos, opted for more of a rebrand, labelling their squad as more of a ‘dance squad’ with less revealing clothing to highlight their athleticism but still keep their careers. 


These cheerleading squads were all abandoned due to a similar factor, as discussed by this 2013 article after the Canberra Raiders dropped their cheerleaders. Then Raiders CEO Don Furner explained that there were “a couple of reasons” for getting rid of the cheerleaders. “One, it is quite cold and a big ask for the woman, particularly during night games. And, two, cost.”  


What he fails to mention is the other, more obvious reason that was mentioned by Crowe earlier, where catcalling and inappropriate behaviour by men in the stands likely played a big role in the axing of each squad. 


However, cheerleading is so much more than the dumb, hot, blonde stereotypes portrayed in the movies—and disgustingly enjoyed by middle-aged men. Cheerleading is an opportunity for women to be present in spaces where they are the minority, and be able to show their true support for their club. I contacted Manly Seabirds cheerleader Holly Langford, to find out more about the role of cheerleading in the NRL. 


Her interest in cheerleading comes from growing up as a dancer who loved to watch sports. Cheerleading for Manly provided the perfect combination of her interests, and gave her a stage to perform on. It also allowed her to continue her passion for dance without needing to commit to it as a full-time career. 


I asked her about the purpose of cheerleaders. Many people down under don’t seem to understand why they are actually there, and how they contribute to the game day experience. 


“We are as our name suggests, leaders of cheer and entertainment. We help bring some sparkle to each game day to hype up the crowd and entertain during those moments that need it. Having a cheerleading squad is also a wonderful way to bring women/femininity into a predominantly male dominated environment. Being present, for young girls in particular, who love the sport shows that you don't need to be a man or a player to be a part of such a wonderful game.” She said, 


Teams taking their cheerleading squads away are consequently taking away the visibility of women in the NRL. While NRLW does exist and does celebrate the participation of women in the league, it has nowhere near the visibility of the NRL, hence cheerleaders serve a very important role in promoting women in this space. 


Taking away cheer squads also alleviates the time and work that is taken to be a cheerleader. As the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders documentary brings to light, the dedication that one must have to multiple training sessions a week, maintaining a certain level of physique, and learning multiple routines, all while balancing another job and other responsibilities, is a lot of work. Removing cheer squads means forgetting about all of the effort that these women have put in to try and improve game day experience for fans.


Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Netflix Docuseries (@dccheerleaders)


“I think it's a shame that clubs are forgoing their cheer squads, many don't understand the time, dedication and love that goes into training and performing each week for our clubs - we love our teams just as much as those supporting in the crowd.” Langford continued. 


Cheerleaders are athletes. Cheerleaders are performers. Cheerleaders are representation. However, what it all seems to boil down to is that they are just there to provide something for men to look at. “Cheerleaders are often cast aside as unimportant or oversexualised but we are professional dancers performing for entertainment, fulfilling a job we chose to do.”


We need to see cheerleaders stay an important part of the clubs where they are present, and hopefully cheer/dance squads will make their way back into game-day entertainment spaces where they are missing. Women need to continue to be represented in the NRL, and also continue to be Australia’s Sweethearts. 

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Sep 29, 2024


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Sep 29, 2024


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