Cheerleading is about much more than just showing skin

Thank you so much for your comment! I appreciate it so much to know there are plenty of people out there who support what us as individuals choose to do!

Thank you for the apology. I would just like to point out however, that the NRL has recently displayed a strong desire to increase the support and involvement of women in league, however your article ironically pushes for the removal of the few women we do have involved at the moment. The real problem is not the outfits, it stems from the minority of individuals who objectify these women, and much like yourself, turn a blind eye to the fact that men should not be behaving in this manner. Do women go to the beach to 'derive enjoyment from their objectification?' No they do not. I advise that if you feel uncomfortable with the outfits of particular squads then perhaps you should not attend their home games. Oh and on a physical note, I'm more than happy for people to check out my abbs considering how hard I worked to get them. I won't deny they are damn fine!

I don't think anyone in any profession would 'get a run in trackydaks and a loose jumper'

The NFL in the US do game day entertainment better than anyone else in the world and if the NRL want to be the best in the world then cheerleaders are a part of that. Cheerleaders are part of the spectacular of game day. They are fit young energetic people that promote a healthy active lifestyle. They are of great assistance to promote clubs and create a much better game day experience than their current competitor (the flame thrower).

”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. At last weekend’s 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.”

In my wife's culture the children in the village dance instinctively from their infant days onwards, girl and boy, as a part of their enjoyment of life. Invariably the girls go on to compete in dance and they derive all manner of things from it - physical fitness, co-ordination, demonstrating excellence, ability to compete in life, teamwork, how to present themselves, deportment, exotic make up, self confidence and so on. Depending on the competition they wear lots or a little. The fact that the older teenagers might even seduce a future husband in the process is also part of it. Showing off is not prohibited by the State bureaucrats, either male or the sensibly shoed, because they are just as demonstrative. Dance is a central part of daily life. What you say Laura is precisely what happens after the girls over there have been on display – the little ones clamour around wanting to be them, dreaming of their time in the spotlight. The performers lap it up and readily encourage and assist the aspirants to attain just that. When the most excellent ones achieve major sporting team cheer leader status their families collectively beam with pride, boast about it to each other and let one know the time of the telecast. The practice lives on into adult life and everyone places high value on perfecting their expertise, smiling all the while. Typically they are blessed with a beautiful body shape, attractive looks and cascading long black hair with which they are well pleased. Their husbands are able dancers also, similarly enthusiastic and proud of their women. Further, I do not need a blue card to dance shamelessly in the street with my gorgeous nieces and their friends (albeit at a four beat to their eight) – indeed it is a family expectation and something of an insult if I, now as the eldest, do not. If a husband or brother or father spluttered, in astonished anguish, “You are being "objectified" “ they would look puzzled for a moment, dismiss the mad comment and continue showing off. If the demand was that they instead form up in polite, modestly attired lines to be hidden away secretly serving soup to the disabled or the ancient in old peoples' homes they would turn up in feathers and bare bellies to first entertain and delight the patients. There’s a thought – next time we visit I’ll tell them they are being "objectified", "presented as an object" Their most likely response is “Oh goodie!” They sing too – whilst in the kitchen, at work, when they study at home, walking to the shop and when no-one in particular is listening. Mainly love songs - quite horrifying really. I shall not shock fragile sensitivities with news of what they do not bother wearing at their paradise like beaches. When the fathers and mothers watch what the young women are doing they do not feeeeel " uncomfortable and a little bit angry" (found in the original article). They would consider such a reaction quite – well – strange, truly. To the assertion that “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 girls would agree, and smile. These are young ladies who perform Beyonce in the wild and the most sombre religious festivals with equal aplomb. An honorable personal reputation is of the highest value to them, despite such wanton exhibitionism. The elephant in the room for these lasses and for the NRL cheer leaders is, of course, that they are doing what they choose to do, they can, they are in control and Lord help the fool who interprets their joy and pride as meaning something else. I am ever so pleased you have spoken up so Laura, and I say “well done” for pursuing and achieving your ambition to be a part of a NRL Cheer Squad. The spectators applaud because they admire your work. Looking attractive and sexy is still legal. The most profound offence would be having someone who has not a clue, and a horribly distorted lens, demanding you cease doing that because they don’t like it.

Well done bobby. Thanks for pointing out the link I would've missed it if not for you. Read the headline, look at the photo. Read the article, look at the photo. It's not an inappropriate photo it's just a poor choice to put with this article.

I find it quite amusing that currently in Aus there are people saying that muslim women should not cover up and also that cheerleaders should cover up. no one is happy and women can't win - dress how you want and how you feel comfortable Keep up the good work Laura

Just an update - this is a file photo and not of our author.

It's probably a photo of her, that she is proud of, why is the photo inappropriate? It's a cheerleader, the article is about cheerleading- see the link?

so the next step would be to tell people how to dress on the beach? theres more skin there. leave the cheerleaders alone.

You can do all the charity work in the world which is great but show me the Manly Cheerleader who isn't large upstairs, and I will believe that' certain clubs treat cheerleaders seriously. And 10 "dancers" on a field that is about 130m x 70 m - who ever thought that made sense?!

the day australian are told how they must dress will be a very sad day indeed. You are welcome to dress how you want James but please ensure that you do not go outside in summer....let alone down the beach.

Hi, I am the author of the original article and of course felt like I need to comment. ' I am sorry if I caused you to be upset, or angry at me, that was not my intention. I am glad to hear of your work off the field, thank you for doing it and keep it up. I stand by my opinions on their dress, the work you do off the field should take precedence to your cheerleading. Surely you would not argue that at the moment, as hard as you work, you are being objectified. I am still for doing flips and dancing and cheerleading, but all teams in modest clothing. So that your cheerleading and community work is first and foremost, not your physical parts.

Please, they aren't even cheerleaders in the NRL, real cheerleaders are in the US and are actually impressive with the acrobatic moves they have in their routine. What we have in the NRL is nothing other than half time dancing girls, just because they started to dress more conservatively or visit a couple of hospitals doesn't make them any more impressive or needed in the modern game.

Why do people criticise the way cheer leaders dress ? Has anyone seen ballroom or Latin dancing ? Let's get real .

Perhaps no photos of cheerleaders without a bit of skin could be found.

I don't think anyone would question the work put in Laura. But I doubt cheerleaders would still get a run in trackydaks and a loose jumper.

There's not often I take issue with the roar but that's a very poor choice of photo to put up with this ladies' article. Are you deliberately taking the mickey? Nothing wrong with the photo...just not the right time and place.

Great article Laura! As I said in the last one I got a sister who cheered in the nrl a few yes ago and as a girl who danced from 4-18 it was an avenue to keep doing what she loved past the high school age. The money barely covered the travel and expenses but she did it cause it was fun and has made lifelong friends from it that she still mixes with today. She has negative experiances of it from this day and said the kids were great and the crowds well behaved

But I don't like it and it makes me blush, so it shouldn't be allowed. Just like anything I don't like.