Behind the pom-poms and whiter-than-white smiles lies dedication, hard graft … and the ability to bounce back
Me and my … cheerleader
Behind the pom-poms and whiter-than-white smiles lies dedication, hard graft … and the ability to bounce back
Susan Swarbrick
HeraldScotland.com
1/3/2010
HAZEL MCGARRY, 29
CHEERLEADER
I started dancing when I was three. I auditioned for the Scottish Rockettes Pro-Dance Team five years ago and was chosen for the squad. I love it and have continued to re-audition and be selected each year. People often presume that as cheerleaders we’re bimbos. We’re not – all of us have good jobs as well, including veterinary and dental nurses, project managers and teachers. I’m a part-time sales agent and teach dance, fitness and aerobics.
The other misconception about what we do is that it’s easy and glamorous, but it takes effort and we train three times a week. We’re always trying to add something new to our routines, and that’s where Steve comes in. Before I started doing gymnastics I wasn’t looking forward to it. I remembering thinking, Why do I have to learn how to tumble at my age?” Now I really enjoy it.
Being coached by someone who has won a Commonweath Games gold medal for gymnastics is a huge bonus. Steve is a good teacher and patient with us – although I’m sure he wants to kill us half the time. I’m always getting into trouble. Steve often says I’m like a naughty school girl.The gymnasium at [Glasgow’s] Bellahouston Leisure Centre is like a giant kids’ play area so it’s difficult not to get distracted.
I’ll usually wait until Steve isn’t looking then do something I’ve been told not to do. I’ve hurt myself a few times for not doing what I was told. I’ll ask if I can try something and Steve will say, “Just wait a moment.” The minute he turns his back I do it anyway and end up falling flat on my face.
[Hazel’s profile on ScottishRockettes.com]
STEVE FREW, 36
GYMNASTICS COACH
I’ve been coaching Hazel and the other Rockettes for around a year, teaching them gymnastics moves they can incorporate into their dance routines. Hazel is really outgoing. She’s the smallest person on the team but makes the most noise. You always know Hazel is in the building because you hear her before you see her. She has bags of enthusiasm and that’s definitely what you need for gymnastics.
Hazel is great fun but I do have to keep a close eye on her. Once she gets into the gym it’s like a big playground. I’ll tell her to practise one thing, then turn around and she’ll be bouncing on the trampoline or trying to do some far too advanced move, only to fall over and almost hurt herself.
When I started I took the team back to the basics of gymnastics.We started with forward rolls then progressed through the different skills. As dancers they already have great flexibility, body co-ordination and strength so that makes it easier to teach them. Most recently Hazel has learned to do a free cartwheel which is pretty amazing. She did that within six months, which is a great achievement.
Because the team are so ambitious, they want to learn everything quickly – not least Hazel. She wants to go straight for it and be able to learn a new skill right away, but there are set steps in gymnastics you have to follow and that takes time and hard work.
While dance and gymnastics seem quite similar, there are distinct differences.Whereas when you dance you have to be relaxed, with gymnastics you have to be tense, so it’s about finding the balance. Because some of the girls are naturally talented dancers, they found that quite difficult to begin with. They were used to things coming easily, so they’ve had to dig deep within themselves to do gymnastics.
I get a sense of pride watching Hazel and the squad incorporating the things I’ve taught them into their routines. In return for the gymnastics coaching they’ve offered to teach me dance moves, but they’ve not given me a set of pom-poms and a mini-skirt just yet.
