Bulldogs to reinvigorate Cheer Squad

[bornadog]

Link (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2013-12-05/bulldogs-to-reinvigorate-cheer-squad)

Simon Garlick, Bulldogs Chief Executive has told westernbulldogs.com.au that the Club had determined to make some changes to the Western Bulldogs Cheer Squad to reinvigorate the squad and make it one that families and young people wanted to be a part of.

“The Club has recently identified a range of issues with the leadership of the Western Bulldogs Cheer Squad including:
- A massive drop in Cheer Squad numbers - dropping 40 per cent in just three years
- A clear lack of enthusiasm from families and our young supporters in wanting to join the Cheer Squad
- Issues in relation to the quality of financial management.”

“In line with this the Club has determined the best way forward is to invite nominations for new leadership of the Cheer Squad and add a level of assistance and management of Cheer Squad processes from the Club,’ Garlick said.

“While this decision wasn’t an easy one - we weren’t prepared to sit back and let such an important part of our Club continue on the path it was.

“We want to see a resurgent, growing and vibrant Cheer Squad in 2014 - one that more Bulldogs, especially young Bulldogs want to be a part of.

“We want our Cheer Squad to be as fired up, loud, colourful and enthusiastic as it can be in its support of our boys in 2014 and beyond,” Garlick said.

Garlick said there will still be opportunities for all Cheer Squad members to be involved going forward under the changes.

“The Club will be calling for nominations for the new leadership roles shortly,” Garlick said.

[mighty_west]

Poor 'ol big Dave was given the boot after 37 years in the cheer squad and barely missing a game.

[SonofScray]

Some pretty disgraceful commentary on FB by people rallying around the committee members who have been moved on. Full credit to them for their loyalty and efforts over the years but there doesn't appear to be anything too dramatic or unreasonable in the communicated direction the Club has taken.

[azabob]

Is anyone on WOOF part of the cheer squad or who have been?

Does anyone know the main issues?

[1eyedog]

Is anyone on WOOF part of the cheer squad or who have been?

Does anyone know the main issues?

I know someone in the cheer squad. It was a pretty closed system with strong hierarchy apparently. It would be daunting for a child transitioning into it - I don't get the feeling they would have felt a part of it at all.

[GVGjr]

I know someone in the cheer squad. It was a pretty closed system with strong hierarchy apparently. It would be daunting for a child transitioning into it - I don't get the feeling they would have felt a part of it at all.

Ditto for me. If they can't embrace new members and grow the group then this course of action was long overdue.

[azabob]

I know someone in the cheer squad. It was a pretty closed system with strong hierarchy apparently. It would be daunting for a child transitioning into it - I don't get the feeling they would have felt a part of it at all.

That is disappointing to hear. Glad the club is taking action.

[bulldogtragic]

I was in the cheer squad in the early 90's for a couple of years. Seems nothing had changed from then until this decision...

[GVGjr]

I was in the cheer squad in the early 90's for a couple of years. Seems nothing had changed from then until this decision...How did you find it?

[Rocco Jones]

I was in the cheer squad in the early 90's for a couple of years. Seems nothing had changed from then until this decision...

Same here. I used to go to the footy with my uncle, his mate and his mate's son who was my age. When we were 10-11 (1990-91), my uncle and his mate sent us along to the cheer squad. We both hated it as we found the 'leaders' odd/rude/very unwelcoming/all about them.

[Greystache]

Same here. I used to go to the footy with my uncle, his mate and his mate's son who was my age. When we were 10-11 (1990-91), my uncle and his mate sent us along to the cheer squad. We both hated it as we found the 'leaders' odd/rude/very unwelcoming/all about them.

I had the same experience. I would never have allowed anyone I was responsible for have anything to do with them. A weird group of people desperately craving a position of power and willing to do whatever it takes to protect it. Pretty pathetic and change was well overdue. Another great initiative from the club.

[The Adelaide Connection]

I have told this story on here before, but a few years ago I flew over when we played Melbourne on a Friday night in the driving rain. i decided to brave the elements for a quarter and go sit behind the goals with the brave souls that had stayed in the rain.

I got down there (there were literally empty rows everywhere) and I went and sat on the end of an aisle. This bloke made a bee line for me and very abruptly said "all of these rows are reserved for cheersquad". I thought he was being funny because it was absolutely driving with rain, halfway through the game, and most sensible people had gone for the cover. I chuckled at what I thought was a joke. "If you don't move mate, I am getting security".

So I went across the other side of the aisle. To an almost completely empty bay.

If that was the culture, this change is loooooong overdue.

Ps I was wearing a bulldogs jumper and scarf.

[Eastdog]

I was in the cheer squad in the early 90's for a couple of years. Seems nothing had changed from then until this decision...

How often did you have to meet up during the week. It must of been difficult to get to those meetings if you were busy with work or lived far away. Was it a good overall experience BT.

[bulldogtragic]

How did you find it?
Apart from going out on the ground to help (or pretend to) put the banner up the first few times, I probably wouldn't have any positive memories, certainly wasn't made to feel welcome and thought it was (boardering on ) weird. After that, I enjoyed the wider Western Oval and found I enjoyed it infinitely more! Maybe it was because of the unique atmosphere, and experience, or speaking to whoever around you were was a better experience than them, don't know, don't care, I love Western Oval and if this decision today makes kids like me feel welcome and invited families in, than this is a damn good thing.

EDIT: Upon reflection I can faintly recall my dad having some pointed words to one of the senior guys one day about shoddy treatment. Being my dad was built like a brick shit house with arms Maoris would die for, I was allowed to participate in a pre-game thing and then all of a sudden encouraged to help with the banner. I think that might have been the end of that.

[bulldogtragic]

Same here. I used to go to the footy with my uncle, his mate and his mate's son who was my age. When we were 10-11 (1990-91), my uncle and his mate sent us along to the cheer squad. We both hated it as we found the 'leaders' odd/rude/very unwelcoming/all about them.
Just missed you Rocco, I think I was 93/94.

[bulldogtragic]

How often did you have to meet up during the week. It must of been difficult to get to those meetings if you were busy with work or lived far away. Was it a good overall experience BT.
See above ED.

Although I remember scoring a 5 foot high solid cardboard bulldog off a banner which I somehow obtained to games for a few seasons, I think I gave it up Waverley one day.

[Ghost Dog]

I have told this story on here before, but a few years ago I flew over when we played Melbourne on a Friday night in the driving rain. i decided to brave the elements for a quarter and go sit behind the goals with the brave souls that had stayed in the rain.

I got down there (there were literally empty rows everywhere) and I went and sat on the end of an aisle. This bloke made a bee line for me and very abruptly said "all of these rows are reserved for cheersquad". I thought he was being funny because it was absolutely driving with rain, halfway through the game, and most sensible people had gone for the cover. I chuckled at what I thought was a joke. "If you don't move mate, I am getting security".

So I went across the other side of the aisle. To an almost completely empty bay.

If that was the culture, this change is loooooong overdue.

Ps I was wearing a bulldogs jumper and scarf.

TAC I'm glad you re-posted this because I had a faint memory of this story and you saved me from having to find it. Atrocious.

I've never really had a good vibe from the cheersquad. And there was some incident, a racial thing? involving players who wouldn't shake their hands? or some weird thing?

[Happy Days]

The cheer squad sucks for so so many reasons;

- they invented the "doggy doggy doggy" chant, and also a Barmy Army "everywhere we go" knockoff that sucks as bad as you think it does

- they made a "Peter Rhode our mastermind" sign that we still haven't lived dow

- they ruined the notion of a banner by printing it on the same sheet of white plastic every week

- if you ever sit with them, they force you to buy raffle tickets to weird shit you don't want

- all the members of it are standoffish and pretty ugly

- the worst players get all the sign treatment (Addison and Picken had a dual headed monster this year, not sure if any of you saw it but it did not deserve prime time)

- the bus they go to the game in looks terrible and by being parked outside the ground must rack up thousands of dollars of parking fines for the club every year

Let's be super anti-meta and abandon the cheer squad. Get James Sherry to run around level 3 starting chants until something sticks of we need artificial noise that badly.

[jeemak]

Jesus HD. I can't tell if you're being ironic and actually love the cheer squad, or hate it.

[Remi Moses]

My 2 cents
Cheer squads in General, should go the way of the Dodo bird.

[LostDoggy]

Heard on SEN the guy who ran our cheer squad. He was very negative towards the decision made by the club and acted like he was told nothing as to why the change is happening.

[always right]

I've never been in the cheer squad but it always made me feel a little strange to see the age of the blokes who are still running it. Not surprised that someone described our cheer squad as having a distinct hierarchy.

Cheer squads are a strange phenomenon.....a mixture of wide eyed kids and older people who create the perception that there probably isn't too much else going on in their lives. Perhaps harsh but that's my honest perception of cheer squads in general. Look at Collingwood and Joffa.......there's someone who may be a decent bloke but you get the impression he enjoys a status within the cheer squad that he could never hope to achieve in life outside of footy.

I think this is a good move by the club as our cheer squad is clearly in decline and kind of irrelevant on match days. Despite my concerns however, I would have liked to see the club acknowledge those who have supported the cheer squad over so many years in their release.

As for the future cheer squad, the first thing they should do is appoint someone to create the messages on the banner which on occasions have been embarrassing. My two favourites were from many years ago. Can just imagine how inspired the players would have been when confronted by the following messages;
"PLEASE!"
"RING MARGE FOR CATERING 871 3456"

[LostDoggy]

The Cheer Squad should be all inclusive and fun for youngsters who, because of this experience, become lifelong patrons of the future. To do this to as wide an audience as possible, we should have a core group of people whose job it is is to make the whole experience a delight for other invited groups of children and / or parents each week. The Cheer squad would not only be behind the goals and making banners, but would also be taking groups on tours and generally acting as positive conductors of all things Bulldog. I would want the leaders to be people who are naturally warmed to, who are caring and nurturing and who have empathy for others In short, they should be an advertising agency for the Bulldogs that makes parents and children proud. I'm sure there are many other things that can be done, but it is the ROLE of the Cheer squad that should be examined and / or expanded.

[Dancin' Douggy]

How about the leaders of the cheer squad have some actual skill or training in the field of youth leadership/child welfare/team building or anything along those lines?

[Murphy'sLore]

I think it's pretty telling that in the four (?) years I've been on WOOF, this is the first time I can recall any discussion of the cheer squad at all.

Seems to have been totally irrelevant to most of us.

[always right]

I think it's pretty telling that in the four (?) years I've been on WOOF, this is the first time I can recall any discussion of the cheer squad at all.

Seems to have been totally irrelevant to most of us.

True...but it shouldn't be irrelevant should it? In many respects this is the public face of the club on match day. When people look at our cheer squad do they dissassociate them from the club or do they think they reflect what the Western Bulldogs represent? It's a brand association thing. We want our club to be perceived as progressive, professional, winners. These are not words I associate with our cheer squad.

[Murphy'sLore]

I'm in furious agreement with you, AR, the cheer squad should not be irrelevant and that's why this move by the club seems to have been the right one.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

The right move and a great move by the club. The cheer squad is out-dated and is in desperate need of something from the last century at least!

Needs some smarts and people who know a thing or two about anything really

[Topdog]

Its always been an invite only cheersquad for some reason.

[KT31]

I'm in furious agreement with you, AR, the cheer squad should not be irrelevant and that's why this move by the club seems to have been the right one.

I to agree whole heartedly and the only time cheer squads are noticed is for racial slurs, other stupid acts or because a squad member tries to get their 15 minutes of fame.
Some of the stories I have heard about our squad and others teams squads are pretty sad and very ordinary.

The cheer squad is meant to cheer the team not be cheered by the team.

Great move by the club and hopefully we can see it bring in more members.
Let's make it pro-active and get our squad to be the most enviable for the right reasons.
One idea may be to align the squad with a children's charity such as "Make A Wish" and get them to run out and help hold the banner each week.


or we could be like Storm and have a Cheer leading squad.;):)

[Happy Days]

Jesus HD. I can't tell if you're being ironic and actually love the cheer squad, or hate it.

Hate it. They were not nice to a young HD.

[LostDoggy]

I spent most of my high school years in the cheer squad (mid-late 80s). There were good and bad experiences. I did enjoy meeting lots of new people, some of whom I am still friends with today. Train trips down to Geelong, occasionally going out to the Western Oval to help make the banners and of course rallying around the club in 1989.

Ultimately me and a few others left as we were sick of being told what to do and especially the way we were spoken to by certain members. I can see why kids are reluctant to join now, it would be quite daunting.

[LostDoggy]

My experience with the cheer squad echoes many of those above. I take my 10 year old brother along to every Melbourne game (both members) and have occasionally sat behind the goals for the last quarter (spare seats everywhere). Don't know any names but there was always a couple of older blokes who'd stare us down and make us feel anything but welcome. Not the way it should be and I'm not surprised at all that families are leaving in numbers.

[Pickenitup]

Great Move by the club Once I was at The club early 2000's to watch a interstate game dogs v westcoast
and was told by the leader of the Cheer squad that I couldn't watch the game unless my hat was on backwards Absolute Flog!

[Ghost Dog]

Great Move by the club Once I was at The club early 2000's to watch a interstate game dogs v westcoast
and was told by the leader of the Cheer squad that I couldn't watch the game unless my hat was on backwards Absolute Flog!

huh? um...did he say why?

[azabob]

If I didn't know better, I'd say these stories are made up...

[Pickenitup]

Probably thought he owned the social club the way he was acting.
All cheer squad should have a warm friendly atmosphere and just like all things things need to be freshend up and a lot of clubs in the past few years have done this.

[ReLoad]

My experiences although very limited have been a bit different to the above.

Ive sat with them on interstate trips on a few occasions and have had positive experiences.

They even helped us out with a few things like holding up the huge "Free Todd Curley" sign after he got 4 weeks for bumping into an umpire. (persecuted anyone?)

The westcoast game they also helped get a few chants going like "Have another chardonnay" and "Stop sniffing the boundary line"

[jeemak]

Hate it. They were not nice to a young HD.

At that time more aptly described as UHD.

[Ghost Dog]

Me too. Why not just hand normal fans some big flags, and get the club to organise some cheer leaders? Then you could have new ones every week, some interesting characters or personalities.
Maybe it will grow organically.

[Throughandthrough]

I'm imagining that the club already has some ideas of a few people that are keen and they want to be involved

[OLD SCRAGGer]

My biggest gripe with the cheer squad is that the "CHANTS" are ALWAYS the same " 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 , 3, 2, 1 BULLDOGS (clap, clap, clap etc....) the young lady who does the chant seems to be the only one who can actually yell loud enough. I sit in Aisle 22 and we are louder than the cheer squad. What they need are some NEW CHANTS... whatever happened to the chant :- "WHO DO WE BARRACK FOR?, (Bulldogs) "WHO'S GUNNA WIN TODAY? (bULLDOGS) & "how do you spell it?" ( B-U-L-L-D-O-G-S ) I was in the cheer squad from age 9 - 28, (quite a few years back now) wasn't happy with the way it was being run so I dropped out.

[LostDoggy]

What happened to the bloke with the massive mohawk that was promised a new set of teeth by Sam on The Footy Show? Think his name might have been Adam? He always had plenty of different chants, even if he was belting them out by himself.

[ledge]

What happened to the bloke with the massive mohawk that was promised a new set of teeth by Sam on The Footy Show? Think his name might have been Adam? He always had plenty of different chants, even if he was belting them out by himself.

He was very good, sadly had some health issues and I hope he is doing well.

[boydogs]

What happened to the bloke with the massive mohawk that was promised a new set of teeth by Sam on The Footy Show? Think his name might have been Adam? He always had plenty of different chants, even if he was belting them out by himself.

Posted on here as dadruid but hasn't been on in ages

[ledge]

A bulldog supporter at work and I were discussing ways to to build the cheersquad and we thought of an idea like a golf day with a player and 3 adults cheersquad members, it's interactive and the members pay say $100 and a BBQ at the end if it.
Exclusive to cheersquad members.
For the child cheer squad members a child gets a player for the year and that player seends a card from him on a birthday and one or two emails a year, just saying hi and a bit about themselves.
Club could do special things like Send a player not playing on the day down to the cheersquad for a quarter just to say hello to everyone.
Lets face it when we were kids if a player came up to us and said hello they were gods to us, it costs nothing but builds a member for life, it's all about childhood memories.

[DOG GOD]

A bulldog supporter at work and I were discussing ways to to build the cheersquad and we thought of an idea like a golf day with a player and 3 adults cheersquad members, it's interactive and the members pay say $100 and a BBQ at the end if it.
Exclusive to cheersquad members.
For the child cheer squad members a child gets a player for the year and that player seends a card from him on a birthday and one or two emails a year, just saying hi and a bit about themselves.
Club could do special things like Send a player not playing on the day down to the cheersquad for a quarter just to say hello to everyone.
Lets face it when we were kids if a player came up to us and said hello they were gods to us, it costs nothing but builds a member for life, it's all about childhood memories.

Very good post Ledge. I agree that the club really needs to start thinking outside the box. To get new members and keep old ones. To get players involved especially with the young brigade is something the club should be massively concentrating on. Get to the schools, and get involved in game day. Every kid has their heroes, and when THAT hero comes to you with a "hello" or an email etc, it not only makes their day, but it is a lifelong memory.

The club needs to come up with initiatives that makes other clubs go "why didn't we think of that".

[OLD SCRAGGer]

[QUOTE=

For the child cheer squad members a child gets a player for the year and that player seends a card from him on a birthday and one or two emails a year, just saying hi and a bit about themselves.

This is a Great idea, I'm sure it would get more kids wanting to join


Club could do special things like Send a player not playing on the day down to the cheersquad for a quarter just to say hello to everyone.
This is done already, several of the injured players or players that are playing in VFL come down to cheer squad prior to game

[ledge]

[QUOTE=

For the child cheer squad members a child gets a player for the year and that player seends a card from him on a birthday and one or two emails a year, just saying hi and a bit about themselves.

This is a Great idea, I'm sure it would get more kids wanting to join


Club could do special things like Send a player not playing on the day down to the cheersquad for a quarter just to say hello to everyone.
This is done already, several of the injured players or players that are playing in VFL come down to cheer squad prior to game

I have seen players signing autographs before a game at the front of the cheersquad but not being in the cheersquad didn't know they actually went and sat with them for a while