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The season is here! By Cheerleader Manager Debbie Jackson I can't believe we are a week away from the season. It seems like yesterday when all those new faces walked into our auditions. Five months on and all 35 faces are more familiar than my own, as we are spending more and more time together practicing for the season ahead. I say every year that this is the best squad ever and I have to say it again now. The girls have worked so hard to polish all their new material and look the best they can for that first game on April 6. Their endless enthusiasm surprises me constantly, especially when I hear they hold four-hour-long practices on their own, outside the three days a week I see them all together. Add to that the fact that many of these girls will be sitting their final exams at university and college during the season, and you'll see what special people these girls are. They are committed to us and to their studies and everyone at the Claymores, especially me, appreciates the hard work they do for us. The girls had their first appearance at Hampden Park recently at the Old Firm CIS Cup Final. It was the first time the rookies had stepped onto the field and performed in front of so many fans. The buzz amongst the squad beforehand was electric and it was great to see everyone in their shiny new uniforms for the first time. They did a marvellous job. I love seeing the delight on the faces of the rookies after a big performance like that. We had tried something new using gymnastic ribbons and the hours of rehearsals paid off. It looked great and we even got a little bit on TV. But the veterans were so right when they told the rookies, "This is nothing. "Wait till you get out there and dance for OUR fans at the games." And they are right. There is no moment more exhilarating that dancing in front of our home crowd. We have the best fans in the world and the hours of hard work pay off many times over when the cheerleaders hit the hallowed turf for our own Claymores games. We have a whole stack of new material to show off on April 6 and all the way to World Bowl and the girls deserve medals for remembering each and every step of around 30 different routines. The Scottish Claymores Cheerleaders are the best sports dance team you'll find anywhere in this country. Their reputation speaks for itself and is testament to the hard work these special ladies put in on behalf of the Claymores. I am proud of the squad this year, more than in any other year and I hope the Claymores fans will be too when the season starts. As it says in our intro song "It's Showtime, Baby, Here We Go!" And here we go again indeed! |
