Cowboys Cheer Squad get into the Spirit for ’09

By Natalie Peut
Townsville Bulletin

A new name, a new costume and new flavour will be seen centre-stage at Dairy Farmers Stadium as the North Queensland Cowboys cheer-squad kick-starts their season.

The new-look cheer-squad `The Spirit’ will take to the field providing exciting routines, while encouraging the crowd to get behind their favourite team.

The squad formerly known as `The Hotsquad’ has reformed with the squad doubling in size and providing more exciting routines in the genres of American-style cheerleading, jazz, funk and rock.

Cowboys Cheerleaders
SPIRIT … Carolyn Peterson and Renee Harvey are excited about the year ahead

Experienced cheerleader Carolyn Peterson, who has been cheering for 11 years, was excited about the first home-game where the new squad will showcase their talent on March 21.

“We’ve been training pretty hard, four and half hours per week plus our own fitness and we can’t wait for the first game in a couple of weeks,” Carolyn said.

“We are pretty much ready, we just have to make sure we nail our routines, but I think it’s going to be an exciting season.”

The size of the squad has increased to 30 girls, with five different choreographers providing fresh and modern routines for the squad.

There will be fresh blood in the squad this season with only 10 girls from the old group returning.

“There is a lot of good young talent, I think the youngest is 18 and the oldest is 26,” Carolyn said.

“It’s good to have new girls there, they are keen and motivated about the new season and that’s what we want.”

National Cheerleading Australia and Cheersport North Queensland director Lyn Parker will manage the group. She said the new squad will showcase the girls’ athleticism and fitness while firing up the crowd.

[North Queensland Cowboys Cheerleaders]