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Kennel Legend
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Politically correct https://www.sportingnews.com/au/lea...lly-correct-stance/1bp0kgts43euz1puktzrajoc7x
Great write up from one of our own.
Former Sapphires' captain Darcie McDonald blasts 'politically-correct' stance on cheerleaders
Written By Lucie Bertoldo
Former Bulldogs' cheer captain Darcie McDonald has been left 'baffled' as NRL clubs move to phase cheerleaders out of the game, arguing that the 'politically correct' stance will only exclude women from rugby league.
Several clubs have now re-branded or altogether ditched their cheer squads in a politically-correct push to 'desexualise' and 'tone down' the pre-match entertainment.
After South Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne axed their cheerleading programs for 'community dance groups' and 'street crews,' the Brisbane Broncos kicked off their first home game with a re-branded dance squad.
Getting rid of the traditional cheerleading costumes for a 'toned down' and 'athletic' look featuring spandex, tights and noticeably fewer pompoms, the Broncos re-branded their all-female crew to "desexualise" the performers.
But McDonald, who worked as a cheerleader for five years with the Canterbury Bulldogs' Sapphires, believes that clubs have taken a politically correct stance without considering how the decision will affect the dancers themselves.
Speaking to Macquarie Sports Radio's Cam Reddin on Saturday morning, the now Big League journalist slammed NRL clubs for having a lack of backbone.
"When it comes to cheerleaders, everyone speaks on behalf of them," she told the program.
"No person is forced to audition, no one has ever been forced to wear a costume or wear their hair a certain way - this is all by choice.
"No one has spoken to the girls that this is going to affect, the girls are quite happy to be referred to as cheerleaders and that's all that should matter really.
"I encourage these clubs in these situations to have a backbone, it tends to be an overly politically correct stance.
"What is so offensive about talented dancers who put so much work in behind the scenes?"
As the governing body pushes to increase the presence of women in the game, critics have called for the scrapping of cheer squads to encourage young girls to take the field as a player instead.
But the former Sapphires' captain pointed out that culling cheerleaders is a "massive contradiction" to the movement and accused the clubs in question of excluding women from the game.
"It's a massive contradiction if we are trying to boost women in the game," McDonald said.
"Back in the day, they were the pinnacle. They were the first women to be part of the game. If we're trying to boost womens' profile in the game, why are we turning a blind eye to these girls who are talented dancers and want to be a part of the game? They want to be a part of it and they want to perform."
"In my year 6 yearbook, when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I wrote 'a Bulldogs cheerleader'. Who gets to live their childhood dream? I will never be ashamed of being a Bulldogs cheerleader,"
Outside rugby league, the popularity of cheerleading has been on the rise after it was recognised to be worthy of Olympic status.
In 2016, cheerleading and the martial art of Muay Thai beat 14 other sports to earn "provisional recognition" by the International Olympic Council. After three years (in 2019), the sports can apply to become part of the Olympic Games.
McDonald believes that scrapping the cheerleading squads for 'dance crews' could potentially hinder the opportunities of young aspiring dancers.
"To be honest, I am totally baffled. I can't seem to understand what is so negative about the word 'cheerleader,'" she added.
"A cheerleader, basically from my experience, is so much more than a dancer in a dance squad. When you're a cheerleader you are a brand ambassador; you do charity visits, hospital visits, you help out at junior clinics, and you represent a club.
"But, when you're part of a dance squad, you're just labelled as a dancer. (Cheerleading) opens up doors for young dancers.
"I was a brand ambassador, so much more than a dancer. So, taking cheerleaders out of the game is essentially taking away opportunities for young dancers."
Great write up from one of our own.
Former Sapphires' captain Darcie McDonald blasts 'politically-correct' stance on cheerleaders
Written By Lucie Bertoldo
Former Bulldogs' cheer captain Darcie McDonald has been left 'baffled' as NRL clubs move to phase cheerleaders out of the game, arguing that the 'politically correct' stance will only exclude women from rugby league.
Several clubs have now re-branded or altogether ditched their cheer squads in a politically-correct push to 'desexualise' and 'tone down' the pre-match entertainment.
After South Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne axed their cheerleading programs for 'community dance groups' and 'street crews,' the Brisbane Broncos kicked off their first home game with a re-branded dance squad.
Getting rid of the traditional cheerleading costumes for a 'toned down' and 'athletic' look featuring spandex, tights and noticeably fewer pompoms, the Broncos re-branded their all-female crew to "desexualise" the performers.
But McDonald, who worked as a cheerleader for five years with the Canterbury Bulldogs' Sapphires, believes that clubs have taken a politically correct stance without considering how the decision will affect the dancers themselves.
Speaking to Macquarie Sports Radio's Cam Reddin on Saturday morning, the now Big League journalist slammed NRL clubs for having a lack of backbone.
"When it comes to cheerleaders, everyone speaks on behalf of them," she told the program.
"No person is forced to audition, no one has ever been forced to wear a costume or wear their hair a certain way - this is all by choice.
"No one has spoken to the girls that this is going to affect, the girls are quite happy to be referred to as cheerleaders and that's all that should matter really.
"I encourage these clubs in these situations to have a backbone, it tends to be an overly politically correct stance.
"What is so offensive about talented dancers who put so much work in behind the scenes?"
As the governing body pushes to increase the presence of women in the game, critics have called for the scrapping of cheer squads to encourage young girls to take the field as a player instead.
But the former Sapphires' captain pointed out that culling cheerleaders is a "massive contradiction" to the movement and accused the clubs in question of excluding women from the game.
"It's a massive contradiction if we are trying to boost women in the game," McDonald said.
"Back in the day, they were the pinnacle. They were the first women to be part of the game. If we're trying to boost womens' profile in the game, why are we turning a blind eye to these girls who are talented dancers and want to be a part of the game? They want to be a part of it and they want to perform."
"In my year 6 yearbook, when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I wrote 'a Bulldogs cheerleader'. Who gets to live their childhood dream? I will never be ashamed of being a Bulldogs cheerleader,"
Outside rugby league, the popularity of cheerleading has been on the rise after it was recognised to be worthy of Olympic status.
In 2016, cheerleading and the martial art of Muay Thai beat 14 other sports to earn "provisional recognition" by the International Olympic Council. After three years (in 2019), the sports can apply to become part of the Olympic Games.
McDonald believes that scrapping the cheerleading squads for 'dance crews' could potentially hinder the opportunities of young aspiring dancers.
"To be honest, I am totally baffled. I can't seem to understand what is so negative about the word 'cheerleader,'" she added.
"A cheerleader, basically from my experience, is so much more than a dancer in a dance squad. When you're a cheerleader you are a brand ambassador; you do charity visits, hospital visits, you help out at junior clinics, and you represent a club.
"But, when you're part of a dance squad, you're just labelled as a dancer. (Cheerleading) opens up doors for young dancers.
"I was a brand ambassador, so much more than a dancer. So, taking cheerleaders out of the game is essentially taking away opportunities for young dancers."
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