Cheerleader Flashback - Cronulla Mermaid: Wendy

Many months ago now i let out of the bag my secret soft spot for the Newcastle Knights cheerleaders and mentioned there was one other club who dazzled in my eyes when i first started cheerleading all those years ago. And Ta daaaaa i can reveal that club and those cheerleaders were the: Cronulla Sharks Mermaids.

Way back when my NRL cheerleading career began as an extremely awkward, frizzy haired, recently brace free, 16 year old baby face (oh yeh - i was babe-a-licious.... NAHT) - i was confronted with a cheerleading scene full of A-Grade (or should i say "First Grade") Bombshells. It was safe to say I was well out of my league! ha.

The Cronulla Mermaids at that time in particular where a squad full to the brim with bronzed, beachy, glamorous babes who just screamed "Look at me... Im Delicious". The ladies in the black, white, blue and silver may have been apart of a club yet to win a premiership - but they were kicking goals themselves not only in the yummy stakes but in the incredible talent on show at each of their home games.

 The head Mermaid leading the way and steering the Cronulla Mermaid brand as a whole in the right direction for 14 years was Wendy McMahon. Wendy cheerlead & choreographed for 14 years at her beloved Cronulla Sharks Football Club and then went on to nurture and build a junior squad to add to the sparkle of game days in the Shire.

Wendy has kindly answered some questions about her time on the sidelines and i have added a number of gorgeous images & video of the Mermaids throughout the years Wendy was apart of the team.

Tell us about you cheerleading career and how you came about being involved with the Sharks?

I was 18 when i first performed with sharks in 1997 as part of a performance for super league. It was just a call up for a dance job which turned out to be cheerleading - i wasn't apart of the squad I was just filling in for a friend. The year after in 1998 i auditioned for the Mermaids with a friend thinking it would be fun and a great job to do with my other dance friends. In the june of that first year the choreographers were asked to stand down and then we were left with no one to lead us or choreograph and i remember getting a call to do a roiutine as a trial. I was 19 and stayed in the job for 14 years. I did stop performing when i turned 32 to just concentrated on the choreography side of things and I also had a junior squad that was flourishing nicely and had accumulated alot of talent.

What is your dance background?

My dance background is classical, contemporary, tap, jazz, gymnastics, lyrical, character, hip hop, funk, singing and acting. The best job i ever landed was performing in Baz Lurhmans movie "Moulin Rouge" as one of the main can can dancers.

What is your favourite memory while being a Cronulla cheerleader?
Favourite sharks memories would definitely have be winning the $20,000 on the footy show after being crowned the Cheer Squad of the year. It was a highlight & proud moment during my time as the Mermaids Director. 

(ps. Note from Hayley here.... watch the video.... this routine is Outstanding!)

Biggest achievement from your time with Cronulla?

My biggest achievement during my time at Cronulla would have to be holding down the job with so many years of success and going out still when the squad was at its best, would have loved to still be there but its hard to stay on top with people biting at your ankles to be in your position.

 

While coaching at the Sharks what values did you instill in your girls and what advice would you give to aspiring NRL cheerleaders?
I would always try to be a good role model to the girls even when at times some of them were 10 years my senior. I encouraged them to be respectable and always friendly to the fans.

My advice to anyone wanting to be a cheerleader would be to pick your squad carefully as it's the girls in it and the boss which makes the job a lovable and enjoyable one. My times at the Sharks were such happy & wonderful times with some very amazing people.

 

Yes - that is Jennifer Hawkins in the top left.
This was the year J-Hawk was crowned Cheerleader of the Year

What do you believe cheerleaders bring to the game day experience?

I believe cheerleaders prodived something that little girls could aspire to be and look up to. At cronulla we brought something to be happy about when the boys in the black white and blue were not doing so well. We would alway be performing and doing tricks on the sidelines even when the team didn't score.

Post cheerleading: what do you get up to these days?
I own and run a dance school in Caringbah called WAM Dancers where I teach dance 6 days a week. Ive been the principle/manager since i was 24 years old and it's getting very big and growing every day. I love every second of it! I also spend time teaching at various primary and high schools in the Sutherland Shir as well as choreographing for professional jobs and shows that im requested for.

WAM Dancers - http://www.wamdancers.com/