Here’s the latest on the City Girls, from their director Lisa Sonberg:

Orlando City Soccer is a new team to Orlando bringing a professional soccer team to the mix of professional sports teams to the area (Arena football and the NBA are other pro teams of particular status). OCS is a USL team (United Soccer League) with a huge fan base after only one season. We were the USL “champions” our first season and we are looking to be an MLS expansion team by 2013. A huge, but very likely, advancement.

Our City Girls are not only dancers, but ambassadors to the team and have been involved in the community with appearances to charity events and and team functions to support our players.
Last season, being a new team, we had very little turn out to our dance team auditions. The team was comprised of 12 dancers. Our goal was 16. Every dancer was committed to our effort to make Orlando City soccer a “name” in the community. We rounded out the 2011 season with an offer to represent our girls in the Hank Williams Jr “Monday Night Football” pre-game video played for all the NFL games. Unfortunately, after only 2 showings, the commercial was cancelled. It was a great experience and exposure for the girls none-the-less.

We had a turn out of about 30 girls for our preliminary auditions this year (held at the Center for Contemporary Dance, a City Girl sponsor for rehearsal space, on February 4th). Preliminaries consisted of a $25 entry fee, an application highlighting prior experience, commitment level, and a “head shot”. On arrival, the girls learned an across the floor combination and a short pom routine. After which, a cut was made, and another, more technical dance was taught. Finalists were announced after all had performed (20 progressed to finals round).

Finalists were required to present to the OCS office for interviews with the owner and director of community relations, Kay Rawlins, myself (Lisa Sonberg-director) and co director Peggy Bertwell Williams. The applicants learned about the club and the “vision” of OCS. They were able to ask questions about the team and were asked questions about prior dance experience and commitment level.
Finals were held at Mojo Bar and Grill (an OCS sponsor) on Feb 12th. We had 6 judges: 2 from the “Monsters in the Morning” local radio show, our assistant head soccer coach Ian Fuller, Mitch Doran (Office Furniture Outlet- another City Girl Sponsor), myself and Peggy (the City Girls directors). Finalist performed in Groups of 2 and were able to perform 2 dances (one pom and one technical). The dancers were also able to choreograph 2, 8 counts of their own to highlight individual talent.

After all had performed, the judges deliberated while a dance contest was held comprised of participants in the crowd.

The 2012 City Girls were announced and given OCS t-shirts, a rose, and OCS paraphernalia (temporary tattoos and window decals). Photos were taken of our newest ambassadors.
Karla-veteran
Kristin- veteran
Dominique-veteran
Debbie-rookie
Niki-veteran
Mippi-veteran
Amy-rookie
Renee-veteran
Melissa-rookie
Sasha-rookie
Taylor-rookie
Chelsea-rookie
Brenda-rookie
Ashley-rookie

http://www.facebook.com/#!/OrlandoCityGirls
www.orlandocitysoccer.com

Orlando City Soccer holds their dance team auditions in January or February each year for their upcoming season. Please contact Lisa Sonberg Lnorred@hotmail.com for more information regarding auditioning for the team.

Dancers & Cheerleaders!!!! please check out ThrowbackCheer.com to register for Fab Fitness near you! All classes are taught by alumni NFL and NBA cheerleaders who are excited to help you showcase your lean & strong arms and legs as well as teach you FAB choreo to spark your CHEERmind back!! Been missing your college dance or cheer team? Been missing your Semi-Pro or PRO gals?! Come on out for some challenging FUN! Interested alumni NFL/NBA cheerleaders may apply through the website as well!’

Fox 5 San Diego
Sept. 13, 2012

SAN DIEGO – A crowd gathered in downtown San Diego Thursday as the San Diego Charger Girls unveiled their 2012 swimsuit calendar.

In front of a packed house at Katsuya, all eyes were peeled to the black curtains and what secret would be hidden underneath.

“I’m so excited. This is the night we get to show off all of our hard work,” said Charger girl Angela P.

The image hidden underneath is what many of the girls who cheer on our Chargers with every ounce of energy hope to be a part of the swimsuit calendar cover.

“These ladies don’t know if they made the cover. Tonight is going to be a big night,” said Charger Girl director Lisa Simmons.

Four girls were picked to grace the cover. Charger Girl Natalie made the cover for the third time.

“I can’t believe it. This is my favorite picture. I love that they picked the gold swimsuits,” she said.

This year’s shoot featured beaches up and down the Southern California coastline as the backdrop. The girls were up at the crack of dawn and usually spent most of the day on location.

“I love the fact that it gives us a chance to show off our beautiful beaches,” said Simmons.

Calendars can be purchased at the Charger’s team shop with a portion of the proceeds going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

It’s always fun to see how much has changed…or hasn’t (in some cases). Click here to check out the OG Cardinals, Falcons, Bills, Bengals, Cowboys, broncos, Chiefs, Dolphins, Vikings, Patriots, Saints, Jets, Eagles, Raiders, 49ers, Rams, and Redskins Cheerleaders.

Ricky Henne
Managing Editor
San Diego Chargers
September 14, 2012

An annual tradition, the Charger Girls unveiled the 2012-13 edition of their ever popular calendar Thursday night at Katsuya. Shot by team photographer Mike Nowak, this year’s publication uses the beautiful beaches of San Diego as its primary background. The team’s swimwear was provided exclusively by Sauvage and the girls were styled by Diesel Salon.

“This is my 12th calendar with the team” said Nowak. “Each year we try to come up with something different and original, and try to make it better than the previous one. This year we wanted to keep it on the beaches of San Diego and the scenery really helped make the calendar come out great.”

Charger Girls Calendar Unveil: Photos | Video

All 28 members of the team are featured prominently throughout the pages, and for Nowak, they were an absolute pleasure to work with.

“They’re all phenomenal,” he said. “If I can make them look as great on film as they do in person, then I know I’ve done my job.”

Working hand-in-hand with Nowak on all aspects of the calendar was Charger Girls Director Lisa Simmons.

“Mike and I did our best to capture the beauty of America’s greatest city, and I think we were able to do that,” she said. “This is my eighth year directing this project, and it always seems to fall into place. I really need to credit Mike Nowak for his tremendous talents. His vision meshes with my vision for each and every one of the ladies, and ultimately they turn into great shots.”

While the finished product looks fantastic, a lot of hard work goes into each and every photo, from the girls featured in each picture to those working tirelessly behind the scenes.

“It’s a lot of hard work for everyone on these shoots,” said Simmons. “It’s a long day on location. The girls are in make-up for a couple of hours, and then we scout locations with them to find the best spot that compliments them and their swimwear. And then we shoot them for a couple of hours, and there’s no guarantee that we won’t have to reshoot them if we aren’t completely happy with the shot. It’s tough to deal with elements like June gloom and the weather, so many times we have to go back and reshoot some.”

At the end of the day, however, this year’s calendar stands out as one of the best ever put forth by the team. Be sure to order yours today!

A portion of all proceeds from calendar sales will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Click here to purchase online.

The Chargers website has been updated with new profiles for this year’s Charger Girls. Click here to see who is on the team!

Notes:
* What’s up, Lauren P? Why do they use the same photo for you every year? Ditto Natalie. I’ve seen your pic before. So…what’s the deal?
* Awwww…Alexis isn’t a redhead anymore. She was freakin’ gorgeous with that hair. Not that she’s a troll now, but you know what I’m saying. (The link to Alexis’ profile is broken, so don’t expect to get there right now. She’s in the second row from the bottom, second from the left.)
* They let Meridith stay curly. Woohoo!

A cheerleader for the Puerto Rica Islanders Football Club.
More from this photographer here

Another update from the Canadian Football league: the 2012-13 Montreal Alouettes Cheerleaders. (Rockin the old skool poms.) Click here to see who is on the team.

The Sweethearts for Soldiers organization is making a few changes that will make it easier for interested volunteers to get involved. Here’s the latest from Bari:

Hi Alumni,

The Sweethearts for Soldiers Organization is pleased to announce our NEW programs aimed at giving back to our military and their families. In an effort to utilize our talents to the fullest potential, we have decided to dedicate our programs to helping dependents of our active duty and reservists… AKA, their kids!!! In addition to our annual “Sweet N’ Your Day” gift basket give-a-way that we do for the female troops, we have added a Sweetheart Mentorship Program and have expanded on our Cheer camp program.

With the addition of these new programs, you don’t need to be able to jet set off on a two week entertainment tour anymore, you can participate in your own city or from your computer. It’s all about giving back in any way possible right? So, if you are looking for a new and exciting way to show our military kids that we care… email me Bari@sweetheartsforsoldiers.org to get a volunteer application.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

-Bari Yonkers-
Co-Founder
Sweethearts for Soldiers Organization

Sweethearts Mentorship Program

Purpose: To inspire and develop the next generation of cheerleaders and dancers by utilizing technology to mentor girls ages 13-18. To create a positive outlet for female military dependants who may be facing parental deployments, long separations or the daily strain of the military lifestyle.

Time Commitment: Estimated two hours per month

Your Mission
o Mentor a female military child for three months on cheerleading/dance related topics to include but not limited to: tryout tips, jump/kick tips, cheer hair/make-up tips, etc
o You must commit to setting up and attending either three 10 minute Skype sessions or three 10 minute phone calls with your Sweetheart mentee (one 10 minute session per month)
o Send out goal sheet to mentee, receive back from them and review their goals (we will provide the goal sheet template)
o Create a plan to help them improve their goals as related to cheer/dance
o Check special email weekly and respond to mentee’s questions (we will create an email for you – they will not have your personal email)
o Must commit to three month increment
o Send out Sweethearts fact sheet about yourself (we will create this for you)
o Represent the SFS Organization to the highest of standards

Sweet N’ Your Spirit Cheer Experience

Purpose: To inspire and develop the next generation of cheerleaders and dancers through an up close and personal, hands on cheer champ experience.

Time Commitment: This depends on size of camp, location and travel involved

Your Mission
o Conduct cheer/dance camp on military bases Nationwide and Worldwide
o Create a positive, encouraging environment for military children (boys and girls can attend camps)
o Represent the SFS Organization to the highest of standards