Axe Maidens Blog: Michele

Get to know Jacksonville Axe Maiden Michelle:

How funny life can be sometimes….You just never know where you will end up or what wonderful people you will meet along the way. I’m Michele, one of the rookie cheerleaders for the Jacksonville Axe Maidens. If you would have told me 2 years ago that I would have the opportunity to dance for one the top Rugby League teams in the nation, I would have thought you were crazy! But a combination of the right choices, meeting the right people, and staying focused on a goal with unyielding passion has lead me here…..dancing beside 13 of the most genuine, kind-hearted, and positive women, working under the direction of the an extremely talented and dedicated director, and supporting a great team, our beautiful community, and our terrific fans.

Here’s my story…..A year ago, I started dancing as a hobby… thanks to my good friend Jennifer. For 4 years, she kept encouraging me to start dancing and to try out for a professional team. Each year I had some excuse or some priority that would inhibit me. Finally, one night in May of 2008, Jennifer introduced me to Darlene Clancy. They both use to cheer together for the ROAR of the Jaguars. Jennifer informed me that Darlene and another woman (Donna, who was also a ROAR Alumni) were teaching a dance class over the summer and that she thought it would be a great opportunity for me to get back into dancing.

Michelle at the fashion show.

After talking to Darlene that evening and getting to know her, I was sold….she was so welcoming, I felt comfortable to give the class a try. I figured if the dance instructor was this sweet, I’m sure the other women in the class would be great too! I was right. I went to the first class and had such a blast….I signed on for the whole summer!

Shooting a TV Commercial

Around the same time, Darlene and Donna were just starting up the inaugural Axe Maidens dance team that summer for the Axemen Rugby League. They encouraged the girls in our dance class to come audition. Since I had just started back into dancing, I didn’t feel I was ready yet but figured I’d keep working hard on technique and choreography so that I could try out in 2009.

After 3 months of Darlene and Donna’s dance classes, 2 months of dance studio lessons, 3 months of private lessons, and then 3 months of intense dance audition prep classes, I was ready! I tried out for the Axe Maidens and was one of the lucky 13 girls to make it!

This season has been a BLAST! It’s been full of unique opportunities, meeting interesting people, and just having an overall fantastic time with all the girls and the Axemen. I have had the opportunity to record a radio commercial, shoot a TV commercial, and model in a fashion show at one of Downtown Jacksonville’s night clubs. Game days are out of this world! The Axemen keep the energy alive on the field, while the Axe Maidens and the fans carry that spirit throughout the game. The camaraderie and work ethic that our group demonstrates is uplifting and makes me proud to be apart of such a fantastic organization in the Jacksonville community.

Recording a radio commercial

So, while life may have taken a few different paths than I thought it would…..it brought me to the Axe Maidens….and I couldn’t imagine it any other way 😉

GO AXEMEN!!!
~Michele

[Jacksonville Axe Maidens]