AARON IS BACK!
http://penrith-press.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/he-s-the-one/
AARON Neich is putting the pink in the Pink Panthers.
Aaron, 19, auditioned for the 2009 Panthers cheer squad at Evan Theatre on Sunday - and he got in.
The 19-year-old from St Marys is prepared for the crowds reaction.
Im going to get the mean calls: youre gay, youre a nice person ... and I am, so I dont care, Aaron said.
While Im up dancing with the girls, youre sitting up there in the stands.
To view our photo gallery of the auditions,
click here.
Cheer squad co-manager Laura Harrison said Aaron would share the field with 22 female cheer leaders - but they wont be sharing outfits.
We were looking at expanding the squad and we thought why not utilise the strength of a guy, Ms Harrison said.
Were not going to put him in the cheer girl outfits, were going to butch him up.
The girls this year are in pink and theyre going to be called the Pink Panthers.
Hes going to be in black and hes not going to have pompoms.
Aaron has been dancing for five years and Ms Harrison said he was a talented acrobat, a skill he teaches.
Before I started dancing I used to play football and we used to go to the games and there used to be a male cheerleader, Aaron said.
Ive always wanted to be a dancer my whole life.
He was encouraged to audition for the Panthers cheer squad by a fellow dancer and friend who had been in the squad in previous years.
When I first got there everyone was staring, thinking, whys there a guy here?, he said.
I wasnt going there expecting to get in or not to get in. I was just there for some experience and fun.
Ms Harrison said eliminating dancers at the audition was tough.
The quality of the dancers was excellent, she said.
Weve got some new girls in the squad who are lovely and theyre all great dancers.
The Panthers will have their first home game on March 21 against the Bulldogs and Aaron has a simple message for fans.
Just cheer for me. Its not just for girls.
