Amanda Power knew she loved to dance when she cracked the REDBLACKS Cheer and Dance team ahead of the 2015 season.
What Power, who got into ballet as a four-year-old, didn’t know was just how much more came with the job than simply dancing and cheering.
“I was very surprised at the amount of work that goes into community outreach, which quickly became one of my favourite things about working at OSEG and with the REDBLACKS,” said Power, who is heading into her fourth season on the team.
Power, like her teammates, has fully embraced her role as ambassador and role model, the latter of which is predominately focused on young girls who hope to one day follow in her footsteps.
“There’s a little girl, MJ, who is at all the REDBLACKS games, she has a replica cheer uniform. It’s girls like that who really drive home what we’re doing and why it’s important. I don’t really consider myself a dancer anymore, I consider myself an athlete and an ambassador and a role model for young kids.”
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Power reflected back on her early dance days, which she said have had a big impact on how she approaches her work as a cheerleader today.
“My high school had a great dance program which focused on enforcing strong images of women in different cultures and really empowering women,” said Power, whose full time job is as a correspondence officer for National Defence.
The cheer team is always a popular draw at community events and Power said she and her teammates take just as much out of it as they put in.
“I did an event at an elementary school and we were taking pictures and one of the kids tapped (former REDBLACKS kicker) Chris Milo on the shoulder and said, ‘can you take my picture with the cheerleaders?” Power recalled with a laugh. “Being a role model and a positive influence is something we really strive to enforce on our team. There are girls that look up to us and it’s something we take very seriously.”
Three years in and the proud owner of a 2016 Grey Cup championship ring, Power remains grateful for the unique opportunity she has been presented.
“Being a part of OSEG is all about creating a platform for the future so other young women can join our team and be empowered by everything we do,” she said. “It’s so much more than just sports and yelling ‘Go REDBLACKS.’”
As for words of wisdom for the next generation of would-be cheerleaders, Power said not to be intimidated to come and give it a shot.
“Just practice, be kind and do your best. It really just comes down to being the best person you can be and just trying your best,” she said.
And if you want to give it a try, you’re in luck, as tryouts for the team are coming up later this month. For more information and to sign up, click here.
