Amy Papendrea of the Manly Sea Eagles in Sydney. Source: The Daily Telegraph TAKE a closer look at the cheerleaders of the NRL and you will see teachers, entrepreneurs, lawyers and a doctor.
The cheergirls - and cheerboys at Wests Tigers - challenge the "bimbo" stereotype and prove they have an enviable combination of beauty and brains.
The Manly Seabirds have a flock of university degrees in their cheersquad, including two lawyers, a doctor of meteorology and a sports scientist who's going on to become a pharmacist.
Squad director Monique Carroll said her girls worked hard, training at least four hours a week, and all were genuine and passionate fans of rugby league.
"Across most squads a very high percentage of the girls either go to uni or have a degree," she said.
"Most of the girls love to dance, they love to perform and they get to perform in front of at least 10,000 people every fortnight."
At the Parramatta Eels, the cheergirls share degrees in psychology, nutrition, business economics, teaching, journalism and human resources.
This year, the Penrith Panthers have given their girls media training and sent them into the stands to interview fans and show off the wide array of talents they have other than dancing.
"We're trying to show the girls as people, not just as dancers on the field looking pretty. They've all got brains," squad co-manager Laura Harrison said.
James Franki is one of three guys in the Wests Tigers' American-style cheersquad that performs acrobatic stunts like "the basket toss".
He started competition cheerleading after a back injury forced him to quit rowing - just as he started his engineering degree.
"You do get quite a few raised eyebrows when you say, 'I'm a cheerleader'," he said.
"I think the stereotype of a cheerleader seems to be a girl in a crop top with pom poms."
Bulldogs fans are often surprised to learn cheergirl Melinda Theore works as a primary school teacher and runs her own personal-training business.
"First of all they tell me they wished they had me as a teacher when they were young," she said.
PANTHERS
Lacey K, 20, works for a not-for-profit organisation helping people with disabilities find jobs. She also teaches hip-hop to children. This is her second season with the Panthers.
BULLDOGS
Melinda Theore, 26, has been a primary school teacher for five years. In her fourth season with the Bulldogs, she also works as a personal trainer.
COWBOYS
Angela Seaton, 21, has been working in the childcare industry for four years and is now a full-time nanny.
She joined the Cowboys cheersquad in 2000.
KNIGHTS
Caitlyn Read, 20, is a full-time business and law student at the University of Newcastle and also tutors a HSC student in mathematics. She joined the squad during her HSC year.
EELS
Courtney Watts, 23, mixes cheerleading with her studies in nutrition. She already works at a gym as a personal trainer and teaches dance. This is her second season with the club.
SHARKS
Corinne Liddle, 26, completed her criminology degree at the University of Western Sydney and is now working as a paralegal. This is her fifth season with the Mermaids.
BRONCOS
Alexandra Sultan, 20, studied fashion design and technology at TAFE before launching her own clothing and swimwear label online at ienvyalex.com last year.
ROOSTERS
Ashleigh Pontifex, 20, is studying advanced science at the University of NSW.
She also competes in Sports Modelling body building competitions.
TIGERS
James Franki, 20, is studying renewable engineering and commerce at the University of NSW and also competes in stunt cheerleading.
SEA EAGLES
Amy Papendrea, 23, has a degree in sports science and is in her second year of a pharmacy degree at Sydney University. This is her fourth season with the Seabirds.
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