By Brittany Vonow
The Australian
Queensland cheer hasn’t run out of puff just yet.
The passionate cheerleaders for the Broncos rugby league football club are gearing up for another season of pompoms and high kicks with auditions set for next week in the face of cuts by teams in other states.
Cheer managing director Hollie Bloch said cheer in Queensland was still strong.
“We’re still out there, definitely,” she said. “It’s a part of the club and they have been around for a really long time … it contributes to the game and the atmosphere and it’s great performance opportunity for the girls.”
She said the commitment and ability as professional dancers helped the Brisbane squad members, who perform at every home game, rise above other states.
“From what I’ve seen in Queensland, cheer is definitely alive, really popular and upcoming.”
Next Sunday’s auditions are in the face of cuts in other state teams with Canterbury demoting their cheerleaders while the Canberra Raiders are reviewing the entertainment all together.
“What we’re looking for is a joy while they perform.”
Cheerleader Marina Shah said she started cheerleading last year after a background in dance and loved performing to the crowd.
“It has been really fun, everyone is so supportive,” she said.
“I think we have a really strong team and this year will be one of the best.”
Cheerleader Angela De Righetti was in last season’s squad and said she loved the bond between the squad members.
Auditions for the new Bronco’s squad will be held on Sunday morning at the Mad Dance Studios on Adelaide St.
[Brisbane Broncos Cheer Squad]
Kings Vision was on hand for the 13-14 Ice Crew calendar photo shoot! Check out day one from the Riviera Palm Springs Resort & Spa.
Ashley of the Philadelphia Wings Angels at yesterday’s home opener.
Ivelisse, a six-year veteran and second-year captain, was selected to represent the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders at the 2014 Pro Bowl. She was recognized by the home crowd at Lincoln Financial Field during the Eagles’ 54-11 victory over the Chicago Bears on December 22.
“I was extremely excited and humbled to find out that I was selected as the Pro Bowl Cheerleader,” Ivelisse said. “Our squad is filled with so many deserving women who are beautiful, smart and intelligent. It is a great honor to be chosen to represent them.”
Ivelisse will be in Honolulu starting on January 20 to take part in various Pro Bowl Week public appearances, community events and rehearsals in the days leading up to the game. Some of the events include the NFL Pro Bowl Draft Show being aired on NFL Network, Pro Bowl Ohana Day, Pro Bowl Block Party in Waikiki, NFL-themed Hawaiian luau as well as visits to military bases, Shriners Hospital and Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. The biggest event of the week takes place on Sunday, January 26, when Ivelisse will be on the sidelines at Aloha Stadium to cheer on LeSean McCoy and Jason Peters during the 2014 Pro Bowl. Kickoff is set for 7 PM and the game will be televised live on NBC. Ivelisse is excited for this “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“I am looking forward to the entire experience – being involved in community events, interacting with NFL fans, meeting NFL cheerleaders from around the league, and performing at the game!” Ivelisse said. “I am going to cherish every second of it.”
Throughout her six-year career as an Eagles Cheerleader, Ivelisse has received a number of accolades, including appearing in a Super Bowl XLVII commercial with an estimated viewership of over 108 million and being featured as a full-page spread in the prestigious national publication, Maxim. She is showcased as Miss October in this year’s highly publicized Eagles Cheerleaders Eco-Friendly Swimsuit Calendar and graced the cover of the 2010 edition.
“In addition to Ivelisse being absolutely beautiful and an amazingly talented performer, she is well respected by her teammates and has tireless enthusiasm,” said Barbara Zaun, Eagles Director of Cheerleading. “Over the past six seasons, Ivelisse has exhibited tremendous dedication, leadership and passion for making a difference in the community through her volunteerism with charities. She will be an outstanding representative of the Eagles Cheerleaders at the 2014 Pro Bowl.”
A fan favorite, Ivelisse has performed at numerous high-profile events, including the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. During the 2013 season, Ivelisse was a model for the launch of the Vera Wang designed uniforms for the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, in which she adorned the pages of top fashion and entertainment magazines such as Elle, Glamour and Vanity Fair.
“I have had many extraordinary experiences as an Eagles Cheerleader, but the most rewarding part is having the opportunity to give back to the community,” said Ivelisse. “I am so proud to be a part of the Eagles charitable efforts and everything this organization does for our community.”
[Ivelise at PhiladelphiaEagles.com]
Mark Mennie of Mark Mennie Photography and Waldy Martens team up for the second year running to shoot the National Lacrosse League, Calgary Roughneck’s dance team, Drill Crew’s 2014 Calendar. A collaborative union, which has proven to be of utmost success for both the Drill Crew and the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders’ dance team the Outriders, with a consistent history of calendar sell outs year after year. The Drill Crew’s 2014 edition is already being touted as Mark and Waldy’s best collaboration yet, utilizing Mark’s creative capture skills and Waldy’s art direction and world class post production talents. The stars truly aligned when this for these two Alberta College of Art alums reunited for this project and pure magic was formed. The success of this shoot cannot be solely credited them though, as the dance team as a whole and their talented leader Dana Murphy played an integral part if not the most important.
Stepping away from the Saddledome this year, the 4 day shoot was set at Harley Davidson of Calgary, which was initially scouted by Dana, and while it did not allow the Drill Crew a “home field advantage” of shooting in their arena, the dealership created the perfect contrast to compliment to each of the team members’ calendar spread. “Something always drew me to a motorcycle themed calendar and shooting in late November I knew the shoot had to be indoors. Taking the shoot to an unfamiliar location can be a gamble, but it was Mark and Waldy’s dream location. They were like two kids in a candy store with the excitement that grew from scouting and all the location and motorcycle options we had available to us. Harley Davidson of Calgary was the most accommodating and welcoming to our whole production crew.”
In addition to amazing hospitality of Tom, Rob, and Patrick as well as the entire staff at Calgary Harley Davidson, the project would have been nowhere without the hairstyling talents by the Drill Crew’s own Petra. The coordinated team of make-up artists, Karen, Helen and Vered magically transformed all the ladies into calendar girls. “It always take a village during a rapid shoot of this magnitude” Mark adds. “The production crew, venue staff, and Drill Crew created the perfect “dream team” for Waldy and myself and our organized chaos. All these unique elements merged together to create this great calendar”
The Drill Crew 2014 Calendar will be officially released on Friday, January 10th at the Roughneck’s home opener versus the Colorado Mammoth. In addition to being available for sale at all games the calendar will also be offered online as well at www.calgaryroughnecks.com. The calendar is $20 for a signed copy, plus shipping.
[Calgary Drill Crew on Facebook]
(Sasha already made a page with all the 2014 Pro Bowl Cheerleaders, but I like to make sure everyone gets their own post)
Five-year veteran and two year captain Chelsey will be representing her squad in Hawaii later this month. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Arizona State University and currently works at a local news station, in addition to having several freelance jobs and and giving motivational speeches.
She also coined the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders motto: “Full Out, or Get Out”.
The 2104 Dallas Stars Ice Girls Calendar (On Sale Now!) is the third the squad has produced. This year’s edition features all twenty-three Ice Girls. To be ready for the shoot, the Ice Girls spent two months working with their personal trainer and eating healthfully.
Swimsuits were provided by Lollie Rocks, Stars Ice Girls make-up artist, Kamwin Dietz, did the hair and makeup, and the photographer was Andrew Dieb with Crystal Clear Media.
The shoot took place in a private residence and it was a long day: fifteen hours. They even had a cook come in and cater lunch and dinner for the girls.
The 2014 cover girl is Kendall C, a rookie. Calendars are just $20. Fully autographed calendars are just $5 more, and available at each Stars home game or online at the Stars website.
A Trio of St Louis Rams Cheerleaders
