A very long Saturday on the Club Level at Lincoln Financial Field where close to 350 hopefuls turned out to audition for the 2011-12 Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders. Candidates were taught a routine by Choreographer Suzy Zucker and had two chances to perform before a panel of 10 judges.
Dani
April
Erica and Racheal
Lauren and Megan
Stephanie (former Wings Angels Captain)
Stephanie (former Ravens Cheerleader)
Jessica and Jackie
Good luck to all the ladies who made it to the semi-finals!
by Casey Phillips
TimesFreePress.com
When she opened the Gymnastics Center of Chattanooga, Wendy Roberts said, she knew almost nothing about the sport.
In high school, Roberts, 46, competed as an amateur giant slalom skier and later spent eight years as a professional cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles. When GCC opened its doors in October 2004, however, her knowledge of floor routines, tumbling and uneven bars was minimal.
“What I knew about gymnastics could fit in a thimble,” Roberts said, laughing.
In the last six years, GCC has gone on to train hundreds of gymnasts, including many who have qualified for regional and national competitions. With about 550 children on her current roster, including about 70 on her competitive team, Roberts said her knowledge base has increased substantially.
Wendy Roberts, a former NFL cheerleader, is the owner of Gymnastics Center of Chattanooga which hosts a variety of classes including a class called Tiny Tigers. She is also the owner of Ooltewah Athletics Center.
Q: What do you get out of running the gym?
A: This is something you do because your heart is in it, not because you’re expecting great financial rewards. The rewards [are] what we offer to the community. When we have little kids crying because they don’t want to leave, you can’t put a price on that. With our team program, it’s the spirit of excellence. Our kids compete very well because they are happy … to be there.
Q: What are your plans for the gym?
A: We’re 12,500 square feet, [and] we’re hoping to expand soon. With our numbers right now, we’re starting to get crowded, which is a great problem to have. We’re in the stages of developing the team and taking them further. We would love to have elite gymnastics. There are many gyms our size that have one or two elites. We’d like to get up there with the big dogs.
Q: What is the glue that holds the gym together?
A: Probably our coaches. You can have the most fabulous building with state-of-the-art equipment and talented athletes, but if you don’t have a fabulous head coach and fabulous training, that’s going to go out the window.
The other thing is where your heart is at. When we opened up, there were other gyms in Chattanooga, and it’s like when you go to Orlando, Fla. You can go to Universal Studios and have a fabulous time, but if you want that something a little extra special, you go to Disney World. When we opened, I said, “We’ve got Universal Studios. Let’s be Disney. Let’s be that place where kids are happy.”
Q: How did you end up with the Philadelphia Eagles?
A: Back when I tried out, there was the United States Football League — the short-lived summer league — and Philadelphia had a summer team. At that time, they’d already had tryouts, but the Philadelphia Eagles [were having] tryouts. I thought I would go … and see what they were all about.
What started out as “Let’s see how it goes” turned into me cheering for Philadelphia for eight years. I was co-captain my third year and the last three or four years.
Q: What did you take away from that experience?
A: You really have to develop confidence. You never know who you’re going to be dealing with, so you have to learn how to handle yourself in public, what to say and not to say.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of running the gym?
AI enjoy so much seeing what the gym offers to the community, especially to athletes. Also, the charitable work we do.
Q: The most discouraging?
A: Not even Disney can make everyone happy. Wanting to make everyone happy and not being able to can be very frustrating. The other thing is when these kids and parents come in with Olympic dreams, and the child can’t even do a really good cartwheel. That’s not always easy to have those conversations with parents.Q: What are the benefits of taking part in gymnastics?
A: It develops the body in ways other sports can’t. Pound for pound, our girls are so much more mature than 90 percent of kids their age. It’s amazing what they can do. When they come off the floor, their arms and legs are so well muscularly defined, and it’s not from pumping weight for hours or steroids. It’s because of what gymnastics does for the body.
Q: When is the ideal time to start gymnastics?
A: I don’t know that there’s a perfect starting point. Obviously, if you want to be competitive, the younger the better, but the best time to start gymnastics is when you have the heart to do it.
Q: What do you hope your athletes take away from studying at your gym?
A: Discipline, confidence and all around being a good person. We hope they leave as good people, who are well-rounded.
Do you see your favorite WRC in this photo?
Thanks to Redskins Pro Bowl Cheerleader Chelsea for this photo of all the returning Redskins Cheerleaders at auditions this past Sunday. They haven’t made the 2011-12 squad yet. Finals are this Sunday.
Based in Tampa, the XFC Cage Dolls are the official dance team for Xtreme Fighting Championships (an MMA company). In their fourth year of existence, the Dolls perform in the hexagon cage throughout the fights. The diverse team includes members who have worked with the teams in the NFL, AFL, and even WWE. This is their first major casting.
So, I’m finally getting around to processing my photos from the Pro Bowl and I realize, I still have shots from the P-R-O Convention last June to post!
Chelsey
Cardinals Cheerleaders Auditions get underway this weekend.
[Cardinals Cheerleaders Gallery]
[Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders]
I’ve been completely asleep at the switch. The 2011 NBA Dance Bracket started earlier this week. And this time each of the squads submitted a video of a performance from an actual game. This weekend in the East it’s the Magic Dancers vs the Cavalier Girls and out West it’s the Mavs Dancers vs the Timberwolves Dancers.
[NBA Dance Team Contest: 2011]
Want to become a member of the NY Jets Flight Crew? Here’s your opportunity to advance directly to the audition finals for the 2011 Flight Crew! To enter, submit your application form and email your audition video to flightcrew@newyorkjets.com
Please include your full name and contact info in the body of the email. Look for potential candidates’ videos to be posted on our Facebook page. The submission deadline is April 11th and the Flight Crew finalist will be announced April 12th. Your audition video must meet the following criteria:
– Length: 1 minute max
– Introduction: In a full body camera shot, introduce yourself by saying –
– First name
– Hometown
– What you do for a living (job, school, etc)
– 1 or 2 sentences on why you think you should advance straight to the
final round of auditions
– Perform: a short dance routine incorporating the following –
– High kicks
– Double turn
– Your personality!
– Attire: fitness tank top, dance shots, beige tights, dance shoes or sneakers
[NY Jets Flight Crew Auditions]
Congratulations to our good friend Laura Eilers who was crowned Miss Virginia United States earlier this week. Laura is a former KC Chiefs and St. Louis Rams Cheerleader and is currently the Director of the SIFL Richmond Lady Raiders and a consultant for Going Pro Entertainment.
Calling all Dancers\Cheerleaders 18 or older, the Lady Jets are holding their FINAL tryout for the 2011 football season. Saturday, March 26th @ 10:00AM. Meet them at Gold’s Gym Downtown Atlanta (215 Peachtree Street Atlanta, GA 30303). $10.00 to register.
