The More FM Blues Cheermen was formed after requests for 'man-booty on-field'. Photo / Janna Dixon
The More FM Blues Cheermen was formed after requests for 'man-booty on-field'. Photo / Janna Dixon
It's a special fan who's prepared to go this far for his team.
But six true Blues supporters will run on to Eden Park next weekend as what's believed to be New Zealand's first official male cheerleading squad.
The More FM Blues Cheermen - Gary Reid, Leon Jarden, Martin Labuschagne,Neil Church, Sandy MacInnes and Shane Clayden - make their debut on Saturday, when their struggling side take on the Crusaders.
Reid, 34, said he signed up to wind up his Cantabrian girlfriend.
"My 11-year-old son wasn't too chuffed that I was going to do it. He was scared I was going to get beaten up."
Clayden, a 33-year-old Corrections officer and volunteer firefighter, said he had stayed quiet at work, but expected some ribbing once word got out. "I never expected to get in. I thought I'd turn up on the day and they'd pick the ones they wanted and we'd all go home."
The cheer squad was organised after More FM host Jeremy Corbett mooted the idea on air two months ago. He was prompted by requests from the fairer sex for "man-booty on-field at Eden Park".
"Hopefully they'll upset the Crusaders as well," Corbett said.
In return for stepping out in skimpy shorts, the men get free tickets to Blues games - "so we can study the [female] cheerleaders' routines," said Jarden.
Claire Baxter, who choreographs the Blues' female SkyCity cheer team said the men would have curly black wigs instead of pom poms. "Cheerleaders use their hair as a third pompom and throw their heads around.
"The boys were a bit horrified, but I said 'if you want to look like the SkyCity cheerteam you've got to do it'."
Baxter said of their routine. "It's really cheesy , but as long as they can achieve it all in time together, they'll end up looking good."
