Men welcome on new Bombers cheer team

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.