By James Turner
Winnipeg Sun
April 22, 2012

Half-time at Winnipeg Blue Bombers home games is about to get a whole lot more dramatic.

And, at least one-third more masculine.

That was evident Sunday as tryouts for the CFL team’s all-new co-ed cheer squad looks to ramp up its athleticism and showmanship by adding gymnastics, physical stunts and yes, men, into the mix.

In doing so, the Blue and Gold becomes the third CFL team after Saskatchewan and Edmonton to add athletic stunts to complement the talents of on-field dancers.

“Edmonton has set the bar,” said Colinne Dowbyhuz, events services manager for the Bombers.

The team has retired the Blue Lightning moniker long employed by its former all-woman cheerleading squad. as the new co-ed team comes together, said Dowbyhuz.

“Blue Lightning is too feminine,” she said.

For now, the new squad has been dubbed the Blue Bombers Cheer Team, but that’s subject to change, said Dowbyhuz.

Sunday, nearly 100 people — including a decent number of guys — turned out to challenge for 32 available spots on the cheer squad, which is to include 12 men, Dowbyhuz said.

Dave Roncadin, 33, was one of the hopefuls. A long-time competitive cheerleading enthusiast, he said the perception of the sport has come a long way over time.

“It’s always been related to girls shaking pom-poms,” Roncadin said. “But the sport has come so much further with the stunting and high-flying acrobatics with the girls.”

To put it another way: Roncadin and his pals used to have to look to YouTube videos to learn how to perform stunts because there was no instruction available.

“Now there’s classes and clinics — opportunities,” he said.

The team’s members will be announced at a later date.

The Felions are the dance team of the British Colombia Lions (Canadian Football League.) This team has been working hard to put together their annual calendar for Lions fans. This year’s calendar is going to be a little different. Instead of making a swimsuit calendar, they’re mixing it up. Some of the dancers will be in swimwear, while others will be in lingerie, other costumes, and even body paint. Click here to watch!

Bombers’ cheerleaders go co-ed
By Jim Bender
Winnipeg Sun
March 27, 2012

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Blue Lightning Dance team is undergoing a transformation to a co-ed and stunt team for the 2012 season, the CFL club announced Tuesday.

The new team will incorporate a high level of athletic stunts into the routines to complement the on-field dancers.

The Bombers have hired coaches who are currently working with the University of Manitoba Bisons cheer team. They bring with them a number of years of experience in co-ed stunting at a national level. They have also produced teams that have travelled and performed throughout North America.

“The current team has always been highly entertaining for fans and this change inevitably will bring in a different level of athleticism and added entertainment value to game days,” said a team release.

Tryouts for the 2012 team will take place at the McPhillips Station Casino in the Upper Deck Sports Bar on April 22. Registration will begin at noon and participants must be 18 years old to try out. Tryouts will be open to the public. However, everyone must be at least 18 to attend.

[Click here for audition details]

Making the cut: Photos from the 2012 Cheerleader Auditions
MontrealAlouettes.com
March 07, 2012

MONTREAL – The Alouettes roster for the 2012 season may still be coming together, but the cheerleaders finalized theirs at their annual auditions this past weekend.

Over 130 hopefuls turned up at Molson Breweries’ John Molson Room on Saturday to vie for one of the coveted 28 spots available on the 2012 edition of the squad. Each year, every cheerleader but the captains must try out for the team, and at this year’s tryouts, seven rookies were chosen to join the 25 returnees.

The competition was fierce and emotions ran high, but luckily our team photographer was there to capture all of the behind-the-scenes action.

Get your first sneak-peak at some of the girls that will be on hand this year at Percival Molson Stadium by visiting the gallery [click here], and be sure to check back soon for our exclusive video from the event.

Darren Savage
Toronto Sun
March 17, 2012

Watch the video

TORONTO – They came. They saw. They did a little dancing.

That was the story Saturday when fierce competition met the Rennaissance Hotel and close to 100 hopefuls attempted to become Toronto Argonauts cheerleaders for the upcoming 2012-2013 season.

An intensive two-day process, the tryouts are a demanding blend of physical workouts and personal interviews that seek to discover who will work best on the team of 30.

“We’re looking for a combination of three things: great performers, great physique and an outgoing personality,” says Jorie, who is beginning her third season as head coach of the squad. “We’re always trying to build upon the success of last year but it’s especially exciting this year for the Grey Cup.”

Toronto will host the 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup. Cheerleaders are expected to participate in over 20 events throughout the city every year, but that number will increase this season in light of the momentous occasion.

It’s a commitment that exerts plenty of pressure on the girls, many of whom are also developing their careers in fields as diverse as marketing, engineering and chiropractic. Despite having gone through it before, some of of the girls from last year may not make the cut.

“We had a great team last season but you get nervous for the returning girls,” says Co-Captain Jessica, entering her fifth year on the squad. “There is new part of the process this year with the fitness test that focuses on core strength and your ability to maintain composure.”

Soon after the successful candidates are chosen, the team will head to Boot Camp. There they will develop their fitness and bond as a team. It’s all in the interest of entertaining the fans.

“I know what I want to see,” says Rudy Blair, avid Argos fan and judge for the past nine years. “Women who enjoy life, who enjoy what they are doing. Some of them just have that ‘it’ factor and others just will not make the cut.”

Blair Malazdrewich
Global News

On March 18, 2012 The Queen City Kinsmen Gymnastics Club hosted try-outs for anyone wanting to show off their skills. All in the hopes of donning the green-and-white as part of the 2012 Saskatchewan Roughriders Cheerleaders.

Five year Riders cheer coach, Nicole Bidwell says there are three major areas, “Dancing: they are doing to have to learn a quick dance from us. Gymnastic assessment: to see what level of tumbling expertise that they have, and then the stunting aspect of it.”

The most difficult maneuvers are called stunting which involves someone being held high or even, thrown into the air.

Coach Bidwell says just because you made the roster last year doesn’t mean you will this year, ”Everybody does have to try out again so there is no secured spots, even if you have been on the team with me for the whole 5 years, your still trying out again. It allows and fresh slate for every body.

Katelyn Perry, hopes her background helps her claim a spot. “I danced at Martin School of Dance in Regina for 13 years. I cheerleaded for the Huskies in Saskatoon with the U of S for two years, and then I was with Riders last year and hopefully…this year.”

Katelyn knows what “Rider Pride” is all about. “Love for the team. I love cheerleading and I love to support Saskatchewan through my cheerleading, so it is just great to be a part of a CFL team. Also loving your province, just kind of goes hand in hand.”

Just like the players they are cheering on, these athletes will also be leaving it all on the field but Coach Bidwell knows cheerleading makes a difference in the athletes futures, ”Lots of great skills such as teamwork and leadership that they translate into their careers and into their personal lives.”

[Rider Cheer Team]

The Toronto Argonauts are looking for 30 women to comprise the 2012 Argos Cheerleaders, presented by the Toronto Sun, and be part of the 139th season of Argonauts football as well as the 100th Grey Cup Festival and Game to be hosted right here in Toronto!

Jorie Brown, Head Coach of the Argos Cheerleaders, commented, “As a member of one of the most entertaining cheerleading teams in professional sport, you’ll feel the rush of running into a stadium filled with tens of thousands of screaming Double Blue fans, the exhilaration from the routines you get to perform with your teammates, and fulfillment from all of the great community work we participate in year round. This year will be one of the most exciting seasons to join the Argos Cheerleaders because the 100th Grey Cup Festival and Game will be right here, in our very own city! I want to encourage all ladies from different dance and cheer backgrounds to audition and be part of something very special in 2012.”

As a member of the Argos Cheerleaders, you’ll perform at every home game and select away games, as part of Toronto’s most exciting and established cheerleading team. On the field, you will capture the attention of thousands of fans at Rogers Centre. In the stands, you will meet the city’s most dedicated sports fans. This is your opportunity to represent your city, support some meaningful charity events and act as a role model for many young girls.

Toronto will also host the 100th Grey Cup Festival and Game which gives members of this year’s squad an opportunity to be a part of history. You’ll represent the Double Blue on a national stage during Canada’s largest annual event over ten energy-packed festival days in November, culminating in front of thousands of CFL fans at the big game, and millions more on television, at Rogers Centre!

If you are female, 19 years and over, reliable, physically fit with dance, cheer or gymnastics experience and a positive attitude – we want you to try out! The Argos Cheerleaders have been an integral part of the Argo game day experience for over 30 years and now is your turn to come out and become one of the 30 members of the team. Those who audition will be evaluated on appearance, dance skills, showmanship and personality.

[Complete Audition Information]

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club will be holding auditions for the 2012 Hamilton Tiger-Cats Cheerleaders on Sunday, March 25 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Goodlife Fitness location inside of the Burlington Mall. The team is looking for 30 talented women who are interested in dancing and cheerleading, performing for an energetic crowd of 30,000 fans, taking part in community events, making new friends, and performing at the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto in November.

All women over the age of 19 who have dance, cheer, and gymnastics backgrounds are encouraged to register for the auditions. For a full list of details and to download the registration form, visit www.ticats.ca

Audition Date: Sunday, March 25
Registration: 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Location: Goodlife Fitness in Burlington Mall – 777 Guelph Line, Burlington, Ontario
Fee: $20

[Hamilton Tiger-Cats Cheerleaders]