THE PAPHOS Warriors, an Arsenal affiliated soccer school, has put a call out for would be cheerleaders to attend tryouts for a new squad.
Warrior’s spokesperson and cheerleading coach Cathy Alexandrou told the Cyprus Mail: “We are looking for girls with a great personality, enthusiasm and commitment.”
Tryouts for the squad will take place tomorrow and on May 21st at 11am at Olymipco grounds in Yeroskipou.
Alexandrou said: “We need to have a feminine balance to the Warriors and as I used to be a cheerleader it seemed like a natural progression for the team.”
Also working as a professional dancer, Alexandrou along with two other female professional dancers will hold the try outs which will start with a warm up and then light routines.
According to Alexandrou, it’s not necessary to be a great dancer to be a cheerleader, and unlike dance, size and experience doesn’t matter.
“There are all different roles to play in a squad, combining dance and gymnastics and team promotion,” she said.
“It also provides a good grounding for the girls, being a cheerleader is a lot more involved than just performing.”
Alexandrou said that the cheerleaders are ambassadors for the team and a real spirit of camaraderie is essential. She stressed: “The personality of the girl is the most important thing, as well as a huge amount of enthusiasm.”
The practice sessions will commence in September and girls are being invited to come along and discover what being a cheerleader involves.
The age range for the squad is 10-20 years old and a junior and senior group will be formed.
“The girls will support the players at away games as well as home games,” she said.
Alexandrou pointed out that the Paphos Warriors squad will follow the ‘College Style.’
“I started as a cheerleader from the age of 13 for a British American football team in the UK, it was such fun,” she said. “These girls will be trained as a college style athletic cheerleading squad.”
Youngsters wishing to try out for the squads should ensure they are wearing comfortable clothes which don’t restrict movement and training shoes.
The Warrior’s spokesperson underlined that this team will not be about ‘glitz and glam and standing at the side of the pitch shaking pom-poms.”
“We will wear college style clothes, no boots or sequins. And although we will encourage levels of fitness, it doesn’t matter about the girl’s size or weight.”
The Warriors are also putting together an over 18’s football team and there are still a number of place available.
For further information contact Cathy Alexandrou on 97773804
