Parramatta Eels dump cheerleaders on eve of 2021 season
More than 50 years of tradition has been scrapped with the Parramatta Eels the latest NRL club to ditch cheerleaders as part of their game day entertainment.
The Parramatta Eels have scrapped 50 years of tradition by dumping their NRL cheerleaders.
The club has based its decision on their “game-day entertainment priorities” in a move that has left the cheer girls shattered on the eve of the season.
Parramatta’s cheerleaders are among the longest serving in rugby league, starting back in the 1970s when they were known as the Cumberland Cowgirls.
“We’re all devastated,” says Monique Carroll, wife of Mark ‘Spud’ Carroll, who is a dance teacher and choreographer who heads up the Eels’ cheerleaders.
“We accept the decision and we understand that many have been affected by COVID and reduced budgets but it’s really upsetting for the girls.
“They were really invested in the club. The fans will be devastated too. We receive so much support.”
The Eels had a squad of 30 girls who have now lost their weekend work.
A Parramatta spokesman issued a statement on Saturday. “Upon review of our game day and fan engagement initiatives, the Eels have made the decision not to have a formalised Cheerleader program,” it said.
“The Club has made this decision based on its game day entertainment priorities and the uncertainty regarding on-field entertainment protocols in the current COVID environment.
Replies
What is the world coming too? First they want Moses to become a dominant half and now they've scrapped the cheerleaders from game day entertainment....FFS, next they're gonna tell me BA has had his contract renewed for another 5yrs.
Are the Eels the only club that are doing this or are there others being affected by Covid and other issues?
I suspect it has something to do with the cheerleader Photo Poppa was sent to jail for
My husband is a visionary, this is obviously another example of political correctness gone mad.
He has basically singled out where everything good in the world is being taken away, God knows how covid gets into this discussion, its excepted being out in the open air is perfectly safe and it's not as if the girls and boys are actually inside the 2 metre distance of each other. What next masks instead of underwear?
PS If they want to create a home ground feeling they need to have a cheer squad regardless of sexual orientation for home games. We should make sure we have indigenous representation (Parra theme) with a equivalent Parra "haka" ...... i have always found a "left footed lesbian" is also handy in these group messages.
We need everyone to support our cheer squad, can one of the new mods come up with an appropriate email address and we can all let them know (at the club and NRL) our feelings on this.
Yep Kartika A cheer squad is so American.I would love something like this to form the basis of a Parra tribal culture
I think I prefer the Australian version ---much more combative passion.
phew so glad I gottaway without any naughty bits shown---Thats how you do it Pops
Sorry but the cheerleaders for me each day. Simple and rhythmic...
What's Tad talking about Poppa ?
Boo !!!!!!
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