Re-Vamped Entertainment
Kyla Banks
Thursday, March 26, 2009
THRILL and excitement are the words to describe the Knights on-field entertainment in 2009.
This year, Knights fans will be amazed by the array of new talent on show, including a unique display by a new-look cheer squad.
The squad will be comprised of two teams a Stunt Squad and a Dance Troop, who will perform both before the game and at half time.
Knights Promotion and Events Manager, Rob Vanderveer said the aim of this years squad is to offer exciting entertainment for the whole family.
"We really want to thrill the crowd with some of our stunting, he said.
We just wanted to show Newcastle that while we have some really talented football players, we also have some really great dancers.
This years auditions proved popular with over 90 girls attending.
After a gruelling two-day audition process, just 32 girls were chosen for the squads.
Vanderveer said the process ensures that all girls are skilled in dance, have stunting ability and all fit well with the style of cheerleading at the Knights.
Virtually what happens is on the first night of auditions, they come along with a 30 second routine of their choice and the judges score them on their individual ability.
The girls then get taught about a minute-and-a-halfs worth of choreography; the purpose of that being to find out which of the girls can actually pick up cheer choreography and which girls have the ability to match with our style.
The second evening is to test their stunting ability because obviously some of them need to learn how to become throwers and lifters and backstops.
Everybody has to be skilled enough to perform in the stunt squad, he said.
A strong gymnastics, dance or aerobic background is considered necessary for successful applicants.
This years team will also be carrying a few familiar faces with 16 girls returning from last season and two ex-cheerleaders providing coaching and choreography.
Stunt squad coach Michelle Fleming has six years experience as a Knights cheerleader, while dance squad choreographer, Dominique Hipworth was on the team for five seasons.
Miss Hipworths dance studio, 5,6,7,8 Academy of Dance, is also a sponsor of the squad this year.
Vanderveer said being part of the Knights cheer squad involves a great deal of commitment.
Basically the girls train two nights a week, and then obviously they do a touch-up for the routine on match day as well, he said.
They train between four to six hours per week, so its a much bigger commitment than people see on the field.
This year, the cheerleaders will also be involved in many events and activities outside of match day, including the Hunters Biggest Barbeque and various community activities.
Vanderveer said the girls are just about to start their involvement in charity work.
This year girls are going to be involved with the Starlight Foundation and the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation.
These girls are committed.
One things for certain, 2009 will be a year Knights fans do not want to miss.
