While I greatly appreciate the physically demanding routines and the athletes that perform them, cheerleaders as they are currently known no longer have a place in the NRL.
For a long time, cheerleaders have been part of the game day experience. Before, during and possibly after the game patrons would have the pleasure of watching scantily clad women with pom-poms perform routines.
The Women in League round aims to acknowledge women’s amazing contributions to the sport, from grassroots to the boardroom.
This season, CEO Dave Smith also publicly displayed a strong desire to further increase the support and involvement of women within the league.
One of the most important steps in including women is creating a more comfortable and welcoming environment and culture. No one would dispute that the NRL is male dominated.
Men play the game, make up a majority of viewership, the commentators are men, the referees are men, and the boss is a man. We ‘men’ gather at bars to drink Tooheys and talk about whether or not the Rabbitohs will be able to clear their throats this season, or bond over how much we collectively hate Nate Myles.
Granted, these are stereotypes, but this is a culture that has been created over 100 years of competition.
And it is dated.
Although there is the argument that cheerleaders enjoy what they do or that they choose to wear those outfits, cheerleaders are most certainly defined as entertainment for men. They dance so heterosexual men can stare at them and appreciate their beauty. So that 40-year-old men can wolf whistle as they pass, so that they can derive enjoyment from their objectification.
As I talked to my girlfriend about the issue, she reflected these views. Though she doesn’t mind watching the cheerleading in itself, she said, “When men in the crowd react the way they do it makes me uncomfortable and a little bit angry.
“The only reason football clubs employ cheerleaders is for the enjoyment of men, it’s objectifying and I think we have moved past that.”
The Canterbury Bulldogs have taken this step, with CEO Raelene Castle removing the clubs resident ‘Belles’ for the 2014 season. The new ‘Sapphires’ now favour off-field work such as hospital visits and corporate entertainment.
“We want to go in a more professional direction, where they do more than just dance in revealing outfits,” Castle said. “We want them to be ambassadors and have a much greater role in promoting what this club stands for.”
The NRL should enforce the transformations of all cheerleading squads. As a constant consumer of the NRL product, I am more than willing to forego a two-minute dance routine for an improved culture, decreased female objectification, and the professional advancement of our beautiful game.
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
"They bring barely anything. " I see what you did there. ;)
Storm Boy
Guest
Nice to see the V8 grid girls can get about doing their thang without any politically correct police crying about them. I guess the problem of objectification of women is only a worry to some when it involves rugby league.
Anonymous
Guest
A few of my best friends got accepted into the 'Sapphires' (Bulldogs) squad this year and to be honest I think that the way these girls were chosen to be a part of the squad is more downgrading than any other club. All girls were chosen purely based on looks with any girl who may not have been "pretty" in their application photo not even invited for an interview. Having cheered in the NRL myself and having multiple friends auditioning for the clubs they support I can rightfully say that all girls chosen in any other squad are there purely based on talent and dedication to their clubs.
Laura
Guest
Being a part of the Sydney Roosters cheer squad myself I feel as though this article is failing to realise the work that cheerleaders do off the field and the dedication they have the their club. I have been a roosters fan myself for as long as I can remember and have always enjoyed watching the games live and supporting my team. The cheerleaders were people I always looked up to and once I was old enough I knew I would love to audition. The bulldogs squad is not the only squad who make hospital visits and participate in coorporate events, every squad actually does. The girls and I from our squad have participated in many public promotional club events including hospital visits each year where we have been present in jeans and a roosters polo shirt, and at cooporate events we are always present in a knee length black dress with a roosters scarf. This is no different to what you are praising the bulldogs girls for doing. Yes they decided to have more covered up outfits this year and good for them if that is the way the club wants to go then go for it. But let's not miss the fact that they are not the only club who covers up, many other cheer squads for example the raiders and panthers girls are completely covered yet they still get to enjoy the thrill of performing infront of thousands of people each game. It is extremely rewarding walking around the field each game and talking to the young girls who take dance classes themselves and idolise the talent that we have. Last Fridays game for example a young girl told me that my flip in the routine was the most amazing thing she has ever seen and that she would like to learn how to do that. Cheerleading is a lot more than just prancing around in skimpy outfits and I hope everyone can begin to realise and appreciate all the hard work that all the squads put into their club.
Femiiiiinnniiisssttt
Guest
I know for a fact that the Cowboys Cheerleaders designed their own outfits - so they obviously feel comfortable in them. Not sure about other teams, but I'd assume thats the case for most. Also, has it ever occurred to you that they enjoy wearing what they wear and doing what they do because they like and not because they are "sluts and skunks" that only want to get the attention of men?
Organiser
Guest
Good on you, kittyctc. LET the girls make their own choice. Stop judging on prudishness or inappropriate/ slutty. If you've got it, flaunt it. If you don't have the confidence, then don't.
Organiser
Guest
Sheek, you're the man !!!! What a quality piece that is you've written. Men perve. Fact of life. I have two teenage sons, and I have been married 20 years? Do I perve? Hell, yeah !!!! Do I love the outfits women wear on Melbourne Cup Day? Hell yeah !!!! Do I wolf whistle at gorgeous young women ? Nope. I perve simply by observing and admiring the beauty that young women bring to a nanny state precious world of feminazi. Do women perve at well cut men? Of course they do !!! They are just better at it. Men NEVER get offended if women perve at them. I used to go to football matches a lot. My wife loves the footy. However, when we were saddled next to a bunch of stuck up knitting grannies who have never had a day of fun in their whole life, that did it for us. Going to the footy is a day where you pay your money to be entertained and cheer for your team, and let it all out. Not be told you're a boofhead, or archaic or any of that nonsense. Get a life, james !!!! I have a wife (long term) not a girlfriend. She has no problem with cheerleaders, her response is female in that it's "Oh God" instead of liking the sight of gorgeous girls. She would NEVER suggest banning them !!!! Goodness gracious me !!!!
Organiser
Guest
Sounds like you are a proper bloke Pot Stirrer...not a nanny state supporter like these whingeing "so called men" who hate the sight of a female that looks nice
Organiser
Guest
While we're at it, get Lara Pitt off Fox !!!! lol
Organiser
Guest
Well said JR Salazar. Australia is a nany state where minorities have the loudest voices. Have a look at the movie Demolition man....That future is the one the minorities are preaching....God help us if we ever get to that !!!!!
Organiser
Guest
Would it be better if they wore eskimo clothing?
Organiser
Guest
Usually plenty of hetero males in the crowd !!! Large part of the market. Or has that changed to stupid old women who go to games to do knitting?
Organiser
Guest
Smartest reply of all!!!! Champion !!! If you want to ban cheerleaders, then ban everything...the game, the players, everything....
mpc
Guest
Also I think child beauty pageants should be banned as it gives pedo's something to drool over.
JR Salazar
Guest
It's like BigSoccer: they don't get paid to police the place, so this wouldn't surprise me.
micka
Guest
Are the mods on the roar on strike or something?
James Cairns
Roar Guru
It is offensive. Dismissing any complaints down to jealousy is just as ridiculous as it is harmful.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
What an intelligent input into this debate Marty, thank you for your enlightening comments.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Do people who use the phrase "do gooders" see themselves as bad guys?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru