Though the iSelect Gold Coast Titans didn’t put their best foot forward during Sunday’s match against the Knights, the Titans’ cheerleaders didn’t put a foot out of place when Lachlan West, Echonetdaily junior journalist, went to interview them for today’s edition.
Story Lachlan West, Northern United JRLFC
To be a Siren cheerleader you have to be at least 18 years old. To make it on to their team the abilities you need are bubbly personality and a good dance background; this also helps with tumbles and acrobatics. The American style cheerleading is all new to Australia.
Cheerleading coach Megan McInally started cheering in New Zealand years ago. She loves the American Style with the stunts. She decided to be a Siren while living on the Gold Coast – she wanted to support the local team and coach the cheerleading squad. Megan also teaches competitive cheering and she creates all the choreography. She says her ideas come from watching the Superbowl and YouTube.
Meagan says she doesn’t get frightened any more and she loves to have fun and the crowd is kind. There are 30 cheerleaders in the Sirens’ squad but only 25 girls take to the field. Some of the girls have came from the Broncos’ cheer squad and now they cheer for the Titians.
The Sirens train four hours per week, which is compulsory, and they do two to three gym sessions per week. While they train safely, the girls sometimes do fall – they have had black eyes and lots of bruised arms. At training the floor is softer (than the field) with springs in it.
I felt joyful through the interview and game. I was nervous at first interviewing Meagan, but as we went through the interview I felt more relaxed and comfortable. Once the interview was over, we went out onto the field to take some photos and to do a stunt. Through the stunt I was nervous and frightened, but once I was up there I felt more relaxed and after a while I started to enjoy it.
Watching the game Titians v Knights, I watched Megan and the Sirens do their stunts and routines. The Titans’ play was very nerve racking because the Knights put up a very good fight.
It was a great experience to speak to Megan and try one of their stunts with two other cheerleaders. And I thank Meagan, Elise, the Titans and The Echo for this opportunity of being the junior reporter.
– Lachlan West, Northern United JRLFC
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