Cheerleaders Attract Record Numbers for 2003 Tryouts
The fight for places on the 2003 Scottish Claymores Cheerleading squad got off to a competitive start on Sunday as over 100 applicants, a record total, arrived at the Gorbals Leisure Centre in Glasgow to dance their way onto the team.Candidates lined up in dozens to show off the dancing skills they hoped would impress the Claymores enough to name them in the 2003 squad and guarantee them the chance to dance at World Bowl XI in Glasgow next June. The hopefuls warmed up together then learned a dance routine taught by Claymores Cheerleading and Special Events Manager Debbie Jackson. They had just an hour to perfect it and then perform it in front of all the potential cheerleaders.
Dancers from all over Scotland attended and competition was fierce. Debbie said: "The standard just gets better and better every year. Just when I think we have a great squad, these amazing talented ladies show up and dance their hearts out. It was very difficult to make the cut this week and it will be even more difficult after the finals."
The Claymores were looking for great-looking young ladies with good dance skills and enthusiastic personalities to bring something new to the team for the upcoming season.
Previous members of the cheer squad lined up with the new faces to battle it out for a place in the final.
In total, 53 dancers were selected to go through to the grand final which takes place next Sunday, October 13 in the Lomond Suite at Hampden Park. They will attend training sessions throughout the week and then showcase their skills in front of a panel of guest judges and a TV crew from SKY Sports.
The finalists will not only have to dance, they will also perform a talent presentation by, for example, singing or playing a musical instrument to entertain the audience.
The top 36 performers will be announced as the 2003 Scottish Claymores Cheer Squad at the end of the day.
The new squad will start a tough training regime of three practices a week to get in shape for the 2003 Claymores Season. The cheerleaders perform at all home games and make personal appearances at sports, charity and corporate events throughout the year.
07 Oct, 02 | 6:01 pm