Cheers for our real first Cowgirl

Chris de Kretser, Daryl Timms
Herald Sun
August 09, 2011

TRARALGON-born Wendi White has laid claim to being the first Australian to become a cheerleader for the famed Dallas Cowboys.

It was believed that Sydney’s Angela Nicotera, who was a cheerleader for the Manly Sea Eagles, was the first Aussie to gain the honour when she recently made the final squad of 34 after more than 500 girls from around the world auditioned. She was featured in yesterday’s column.

But Wendi (pictured), who now lives in Hawaii, became a cheerleader for the world- renowned NFL team in 1980.

As well as being the first foreigner to make the squad, Wendi is also the only licensed airline pilot to have also become a cheer leader for the Cowboys.

“Not to steal any thunder from the new cheerleader, but it’s an old claim to fame for me that I’m very proud of,” Wendi told us yesterday.

“It’s an exclusive and iconic organisation with a history of excellence, pride and giving.”

Now Wendi White Wasson, she spent much of her younger life growing up in Darwin, where her father was a school teacher. She moved back to Victoria in 1976 and lived at Hurstbridge. She left when she was 18 to attend a small college in Texas. She tried out for the college basketball cheerleader squad before moving to Dallas in January 1980.

After being dared to have a go at making the Cowboys cheerleader squad, Wendi was among 2000 girls who tried out for the 36 places. She was with the Cowboys in 1980-81.

“So began a year of incredible opportunities, a difficult straight-up learning curve of discipline, terror, nerves, very hard work, blood, sweat (lots of it) and tears, excitement and honour,” she said.

“Nothing was guaranteed, you had to live up to your position every week. Athletic and dynamic, I think we worked out more than the Cowboy players did.

“I did just one year, and became an executive flight attendant on private jets, living in New York, Kuwait, Geneva, England and all over the US. I had the honour of being one of three (with my best friend who I cheered with) flight attendants flying Michael Jackson when he was doing The Victory Tour in 1984, amongst many other rich and famous passengers.”

Wendi said while she was with the Cowboys she used the line that “the all-American girl is an Aussie”.

Wendi and her Canadian husband Dave Wasson, who is also a pilot, own and operate Honu Kai Bed and Breakfast in Kailua Kona.