Burn Baby Burn...

The Sunday round 9 clash between Manly and Canberra at Brookvale Oval will go down as one of my top 10 most memorable games in my cheering career so far! I know, i know - I can hear you all now – “ohhh do tell - what was so flash about this particular game?” and to wrap it up into one word I would say it was simply FABOOSH (in other words – fab, fabuloso, fabbo, fabulous – you get my drift!)

The day in itself was primed to be a special one from the get-go as it was the very first game the Manly Seabirds would be performing in NEW boots. For 14 years the Seabirds have graced Brookvale oval in their  trademark silver platform boots and for the very first time we took to the field in a lower heeled (much more ankle friendly) silver boot. It was an end of an era and the start of a new one!! Now I know to some it may not be a big thing or something to get so crazy excited over (calm down Hayley - breathe) but wow wee – after 10 years performing in the chunkier heavy heel, I felt as light as a feather dancing out on Brookvale Oval. Not only are they sparkly, shiny and new but they are incredibly comfortable, light weight and did I mention I didn’t find myself rolling my ankle or adjusting my balance even once!? hallelujah!

With the Manly Sea Eagles beating Canberra 18 – 12 we had a busy afternoon cheering on the sidelines and it gave us the perfect opportunity to break in our new boots. The sun was shining and it made the Sea Eagles victory even sweeter – there is nothing quite like a sunny afternoon at Brookvale Oval after a win when that magic song comes blaring out of the speakers.... “Now listen, Oh we're steppin' out. I'm gonna turn around, Gonna turn around once and we'll do the Eagle Rock.....”

To our surprise the fun didn’t stop there and once we left the field, made our way up the tunnel and into our change rooms we were surprised with a “Burn the Boot” party!! Our room had been decorated with streamers, balloons, and bunting which had images of our old boots from over the years. We were also treated to a silver boot inspired cake – and this was where the fun/ “Oh my god” moments really began!

After lots of squeals of excitement we took a moment to reflect on all the previous seasons and all the beautiful women who had come before us and who had worn the chunky silver boots. We all gathered around the cake as we lit the candles – not just any candles – but 2 Sparklers!! The reason I emphasise the “2 SPARKLERS”  is to highlight how little it takes to bring a stadium to a standstill..... Now try to Picture this – Room packed full of excited cheerleaders and manly staff marking the occasion, yummy cake lit with sparklers, plenty of laughter and commotion THEN......................... “BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP PLEASE EVACUATE THE BUILDING BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP PLEASE FIND THE NEAREST EXIT AND EVACUATE THE BUILDING”  you guessed it, we had set off the Fire Alarm in the players tunnel!!

The noise alone was so loud and shocking but it was the looks on everyone’s faces that really hit home as to what we had just done!!! Our boot party had lead to Alarms and Fire Trucks! Hahah to look back now it is actually quite hilarious but at the time it was scary!

We certainly rang in the new boots in style and i will forever remember that crazy day and how in the middle of all the loud noise of alarms ringing you could faintly hear in the background the chanting sound of.....”we are the manly boys, we had a win today.....”