Rockettes Pro-Dance Team 2009-2010 Tryouts
ScottishRockettes.com: On the 10th & 17th of May 2009, auditions were held at the premier health club DW Sports Fitness in Glasgow to find a 22 member crew for the 2009 Scottish Rockettes Pro-Dance Team.
Preliminaries on the 10th were a huge success. Many fresh new faces came out to the open audition along with the returning veterans, and they all had one thing in common – they were all hoping to have what it takes to make it through to the final round the following weekend.
During this initial round the applicants were put through a set of demanding fitness tests, including body-fat analysis, endurance, strength and flexibility to name just a few, in order to produce personal fitness reports to be used by the judges in the final round.
Next up was a Dance Technique section, where each dancer was asked to execute a series of kicks, leaps and pirouettes in isolation before they were incorporated in a demanding jazz routine taught by Dance Squad Manager Carole Anne Deeney. And Rocks’ fans will be able to see the audition piece at the Rocks’ home opener in October 2009.
A selection of dancers were asked to return the following Sunday for the final round in the audition process. After warm-up and stretch sessions the applicants were taught the remainder of the jazz routine which they were then required to perform for a celebrity judging panel.
“I always get really nervous for the girls because I have been there. It is nerve-wracking to learn a dance and perform it in front of the panel, so I feel for them” said Carole Anne.
“Every year the girls from the previous years’ team have to re-audition and spots are not guaranteed” Carole Anne added.
The applicants coped remarkably well, almost certainly due to the extremely high standard of dance ability demonstrated on the day. This made it all the more difficult for the celebrity judging panel to narrow down their choices for the final squad. As well as their dance performance, each applicant was asked a series of questions by the judges in order to assess their personality, commitment and enthusiasm. “It was a tough decision,” Carole Anne said, “because all of the girls were very pretty and super-talented, but after much deliberation we feel that we picked a dynamite team.”
Carole Anne was delighted with the final selection, “with 14 returning veterans and 8 rookies it’s excellent mix of experience and new talent, resulting in a first-class squad!”
The dance team start training straight away in preparation for the first Scottish Rocks home opener in October and also for a number of promotional events booked during the summer, and the girls can’t wait to show you what they’ve got at these events.
Again we would like to thank everyone for all their hard work and enthusiasm during this event and express our gratitude to all the dancers who turned up. I’m sure all the applicants will agree it was a great 2 days and an experience they will never forget.
In the end it was very close and we would like to wish those not lucky enough to be selected all the best and we hope to see them again for next year’s tryouts.
We would also like to thank all of our judges, including Emma Dixon: Health & Beauty Editor from No.1 Magazine, Daniel Bajwoluk: Scottish Rocks Operations Manager, Vicky Lee and Grant Lauchlan from STV’s Five Thirty Show and Lesley Kerr: DW Sports Fitness Manager. And also a huge thanks to our audition host Adrian Coll, Clyde1 DJ. We really appreciate your support.
By Eric Aasen
The Dallas Morning News
May 23, 2009
So, you’re beautiful, you’ve got a great body and you know you can dance. Think you have what it takes to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader?
Think again.
You also have to have talent, be comfortable speaking in front of strangers and impress the judges during your interview.
Oh, and you also need to know a thing or two about the world around you.
Can you name one country that borders Iraq?
That question could be on the audition test as hundreds of cheerleader wannabes begin a grueling tryout today at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine to make the 2009-10 squad. The test includes 80 to 100 questions covering the Dallas Cowboys football team, the cheerleaders’ history, the National Football League and current events.
Here’s a brain teaser: How many stars are on the cheerleaders’ uniform?
By early June, only 45 will be invited to join cheerleader training camp. When preseason begins, the final crew will be trimmed to 36. Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass said she’s looking for entertainers who are poised, attractive and confident. But she’s also looking for women who take their roles seriously.
“We’re obviously looking for dynamic performers, but there’s so much involved in this job that has nothing to do with dance,” Finglass said. “That’s why we have to take a more wide-ranging approach in the audition.”
When they’re off the field, the cheerleaders appear at community events and speak at schools. They meet children at hospitals. They perform for the troops overseas.
“It impresses me when we see energy about our football team, about our new stadium,” Finglass said. “It further impresses me when someone knows the tradition of the Dallas Cowboys, the history of the cheerleaders, and when you can tell they pay attention to the world around them.”
Finglass was a Cowboys Cheerleader for five seasons in the mid-’80s. Audition time was intimidating, she said.
“There were times where I certainly thought everyone in the room was a better dancer, prettier and skinnier,” she said.
Meredith Oden has been a Cowboys Cheerleader for two seasons – and she’s hoping for a third. Oden and the other veterans get to skip the first part of the audition. But Oden said it makes sense for vets to have to try out year after year. It prevents them from getting complacent.
This year, Oden’s preparing by staying in shape, eating right, taking care of her hair and skin – and studying.
To do her best on the test, she’s watching the news. She follows the Cowboys and NFL news on ESPN and online, too.
“Whenever I first heard about the test, I laughed and thought, ‘Oh man, I’m going back to college,’ ” Oden said.
But she realizes knowing the answers helps her and the other women, who often field questions from fans and the media. For Oden, cheerleading is in her blood – her mom, Kim, was a Cowboys Cheerleader in the early ’80s.
“It’s always been a dream to be a cheerleader, but as you get older, the reality of the dream comes true,” she said. “It gets harder and harder and you realize how competitive it is.”
Oden tried out in 2005 but didn’t make the final cut. She took a break to graduate from TCU. She made the team in 2007. Oden said her fellow cheerleaders are like sisters.
“There’s so much pride with wearing that uniform,” she said. “Being part of the cheerleaders is special, but being part of the Cowboys family is special, too. I’m part of America’s Team.
“Not many people get to say that.”
CHEERLEADER QUIZ
A sample of the questions – including current-events queries – that could be posed to potential Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders:
1. Where will the Cowboys play their final home game this season?
2. Where will the Cowboys hold their 2009 summer training camp?
3. Name the Cowboys legend who served as head coach for the team’s first 29 years.
4. What year was the Cowboys’ first season in the NFL?
(A) 1960
(B) 1962
(C) 1964
(D) 1965
5. How many stars are on the Cowboys Cheerleaders’ uniform?
6. Who is commissioner of the National Football League?
7. How many yards are in an NFL end zone?
(A) 10
(B) 20
(C) 30
(D) 50
8. Name one country that borders Iraq.
Answers:
1. Cowboys Stadium
2. San Antonio
3. Tom Landry
4. (A) 1960
5. 15
6. Roger Goodell
7. (A) 10
8. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Iran
SOURCE: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
By Victoria Lim
ZooToo
May 18, 2009
ROCHEPORT, Mo. -– From the pigskin to pig breeder, Nancy Shepherd has been hog wild for more than three decades. The transition from being a NFL cheerleader to swine enthusiast may not seem obvious, but to Shepherd, it was natural.
“Being physical and being a pig farmer kind of go together. I was never a prissy girl. I was always a tomboy,” she said of how she blended the sport of cheering to farming.
After being Kansas City Chiefs’ cheerleader, she admits her entry into pig farming happened by accident — “destiny,” she called it. In the ’70s, a neighbor invited her to a pig birthing, where one of the piglets began faltering. Her neighbor was about to “do it in,” Shepherd recalled, so she decided to take it in, instead.
So Roto, as it was called, found a new home. Shepherd borrowed a boar and raised her first litter. She was now in the pig business. She estimates her pigs breed 14 to 21 piglets a year, with customers from as close as Ohio and as far away as California, Oregon and Japan.
“Pigs are very special. They’re verbal. Their sounds mean something,” she said. “They kind of demand you treat them with respect.”
One of Roto’s children — Tulip — had a litter of one: Banjo. To give Tulip the ability to breed again quickly, Shepherd hand-raised Banjo and just like any other mother-child relationship, she was hooked.
She threw birthday parties for Banjo that brought scores of friends together yearly, bearing gifts of birthday cake and the pig’s favorite beverage: Orange Crush soda. A fan club formed — 400 members, at its peak.
Banjo passed when he was 9-and-a-half years old. By then, pig parties were the rage for Shepherd. So, to continue the celebrations, she held a wedding — marrying Yod,the groom dressed in a cummerbund, and Jitterburg, the blushing bride with adorned in a veil, pierced ears and a pedicure. Shepherd served as minister.
“Dearly pig-loved,” her ceremony began. “We are gathered here today to join this gilt and this boar in holy pig-tramony …” as Shepherd’s friends served as best man and matron of honor.
The couple stayed together until Jitterbug died in 2003 of kidney failure. Yoda died in 2006.
Shepherd laughs as she shuffles through wedding photos.
“We just knew how to have fun, is all I know!”
Shepherd now has a big, enclosed shelter for her pigs which she calls the “Piggy Palace.” (watch the video)
As she cares for her brood, she disputes various pig myths and sayings.
“They have no odor whatsoever. Pigs don’t sweat – where did that come from? I don’t know how come policemen are called pigs. I don’t understand that part,” she said.
“Pigs are creatures with lots of intelligence, they’re affectionate, verbal and smart.”
After buyers apply to purchase one of her pigs, she submits applicants to a background check and provides a “how to care for” manual for their new owners, with a warning: “You have to be smarter than your pig, or your pig will train you very well!”
To learn more about Shepherd and her Pig O’ My Heart Potbellies, visit PotBellyPigs.com
Tell us what you think about “NFL Cheerleader Turns Pig Farmer” below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com.
NBC Dallas-Ft Worth: The Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders are set to hold auditions for the new squad which will help open the brand new Dallas Cowboys stadium.
View more news videos at: http://www.nbcdfw.com/video.
NHL playoffs are underway and Sports Illustrated has posted new photos of the Ice Girls for the teams in contention. Click here to view!
AF2.com: The arenafootball2 (af2) league and one of its new partners, Aaron’s, are pleased to announce that the online fan voting process for the Aaron’s af2 Dream Team begins today. For the next 10 weeks fans can log onto af2.com and vote for their favorite af2 dance team member. The top 12 dancers with the most fan votes will represent the 2009 Aaron’s af2 Dream Team at ArenaCup10 in August.
The Aaron’s af2 Dream Team, an exciting new addition to this year’s ArenaCup festivities, will be involved in a number of ArenaCup10 activities including performing during halftime of the championship game and appearances throughout the weekend of events.
“We’re very pleased that Aaron’s has partnered with the af2,” said af2 President Jerry Kurz. “We are equally excited about the launch of the Aaron’s Dream Team online promotion and how the addition of this final group of 12 talented ladies will enhance our annual ArenaCup festivities.”
Out of hundreds of dancers performing throughout the league, the final field of 24 that will be voted on are listed below:
Dancer — Team
Jenny — Albany Firebirds
Ali — Amarillo Dusters
Sara Beth — Arkansas Twisters
Shellie — Boise Burn
Lorene — Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings
Zhanette — Central Valley Coyotes
Tessa — Corpus Christi Sharks
Katie — Green Bay Blizzard
Lacey — Iowa Barnstormers
Jennifer — Kentucky Horsemen
Danielle — Mahoning Valley Thunder
Alyssa — Manchester Wolves
Tanya — Milwaukee Iron
Jessica — Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
Nicole — Peoria Pirates
McKenzy — Quad City Steamwheelers
Laura — Rio Grande Valley Dorados
Laura — South Georgia Wildcats
Chantel — Spokane Shock
Lee — Stockton Lightning
Pamela — Tennessee Valley Vipers
Kelley — Tri-Cities Fever
Autumn — Tulsa Talons
Amy — Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
Ken Butler, COO for Aaron’s said, “We are truly excited to be joining forces with the af2.” Echoing the sentiment of all his employees, he looks forward to an incredible second half of the season, especially the unique upcoming Dream Team promotion. “For everyone here, being able to get involved at the local level is extremely important and we are glad that we have this opportunity to reach out to communities across America and bring them together in this way.”
by Orlan H. Ree, Jr.
CheerTimes.com
*Photos: DCC Friends & Family Show*
FORT WORTH, TX — For Kelli Finglass, Director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, she had many more reasons to be stressed out without having to think about the Cowboys releasing mood ring wideout Terrell Owens on the same day as the 26th Annual Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Family and Friends Show.
For the first time ever, the DCC invited the general public to attend what used to be an invitation only event held just for parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends.
Suddenly, the pressure to perform well was significantly magnified, akin to that of taking the field to perform at the season’s first home football game.
As such, this year’s show was held at the posh Bass Performance Hall in downtown Fort Worth and nearly 1,400 tickets were sold, easily filling up the main floor.
Finglass had reason to be extra nervous. The entire squad had not performed together since the end of the regular season, which for the DCC was the final home game on December 20, 2008. Since the Cowboys did not make the playoffs, the DCC had well over a two-plus month layoff.
For a precision dance squad like the DCC, a two-month layoff has its consequences.
With nearly 30 routines on the agenda for the two-hour show, Tuesday’s dress rehearsal was taxing, nearly 14 hours long. DCC choreographers Judy Trammel and Kitty Carter pushed the girls to the limit, and at times struggled to find answers as they collaborated with the girls to figure out how to make the Performance Hall stage work for 36 cheerleaders.
Additional challenges were obvious, like encountering occasional winded performances and ill-synchronized routines afflicting not only rookie DCC’ers but veterans alike.
Perhaps the greatest challenge was execution of the DCC trademark kick line routine. Instead of one, continuous line that everyone is accustomed to seeing on the football field, the kick line had to be split into two lines because of stage dimension limitations. Synchronizing two lines, one behind the other, is not as easy as it looks or sounds.
Even as Trammel sat the squad down at the end of dress rehearsal, just past 11:00 pm, to review her comments and performance critiques, the tired, aching young ladies still managed to remain upbeat and maintained their stage presence.
On performance night, while the sports world was rocked by the Cowboys football team and its announcement that T.O. was history, you could hardly tell that two-month layoff had an adverse affect.
From the moment the curtain rose, the DCC kicked it into gear and roared through a satisfying overall performance. In fact, only one routine revealed a noticeable timing/out-of-synch issue that only a skilled dance enthusiast might have caught, but Finglass, Trammel, and Carter had to be pleased with the overall execution. The house certainly approved with much applause and shouts of encouragement all evening.
Naturally, as one might guess, this was an emotional night for some of the girls. Not only did this evening pay tribute to the closing of Texas Stadium, but this night was closure for a few cheerleaders.
As the curtain fell to conclude the program, the girls hugged and cried on stage. For Sarah Clay, this was her final performance in a DCC uniform. She and her husband are going to fulfill other dreams in the Middle East and Southeast Africa. This was also the final show for two-year veteran Erica Jenkins. For others, there is the spector of auditions for next year’s squad within a few months.
2009fnf_erica1
While no one is guaranteed a spot on next year’s squad, many hope to return for a chance to wear “the uniform” again, among them Brooke Sorenson, Tobie Percival, rookie Crystal Trevino, Meagan Sharp, Abigail Klein, Kristin Gauthier, and huge fan favorite Jordan Chanley.
From a media perspective, it’s always an honor covering the best in the business.
If we were talking about the college scene, the best cheerleading squad is the University of Kentucky. Their skills and presentation are dazzling, always a true pleasure to watch. On the dance side, there are a handful of perrenial elite squads, like Cincinnati, Tennessee, BYU, Memphis, Minnesota, LSU, and Wisconsin.
But when it comes to professional cheerleading squads, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are without rivals. Nope, not even the Laker Girls are worthy.
Their image is iconic. Their appearance supersedes the so-called “dated” look. Their stage presence is immaculate.
The DCC remain the visionaries of professional cheerleading. They evoke standards unmatched by other pro squads. Their reality tv show is a fantastic promotional device, but to uncover their clandestine personna will forever remain elusive and mysterious.
Now that the Family and Friends Show has gone public, I have a simple solution.
Just enjoy who they are.
Oakland Raiders
May 19, 2009
The Oakland Raiderettes – Football’s Fabulous Females – are on the Big Island of Hawaii at the Hilton Waikoloa for the 2010 Raiderette Swimsuit Calendar photo shoot this week. Transportation for the Raiderettes and the support staff is being provided by Hawaiian Airlines.
We’ve added more photos to our gallery!
* 2010 Raiderette Swimsuit Calendar Photo Shoot Gallery *
The 2010 Oakland Raiderettes Swimsuit Calendar will be released some time in August.
