Despite the squad not having a name, or a team to cheer for, University of Otago student and dancer Jennifer Robinson is counting on the new Forsyth Barr Stadium and the Rugby World Cup to generate demand in Dunedin for her new cheerleading squad.
The 19-year-old will be holding auditions for places on the 15-person squad at Alhambra-Union's North Ground today at 6pm and, so far, about 30 people have signalled interest in joining.
Once it is established, Miss Robinson hopes to market the squad to perform at Otago Rugby Football Union, Basketball Otago and Netball Otago sporting events as well as community events.
She leapt into action to build a squad in Dunedin after arriving at the University of Otago to study law and accounting, and found there was no cheerleading team here.
Miss Robinson said she had been doing tap, jazz, contemporary, cabaret and Latin dancing for 14 years in Hamilton.
But cheerleading was her favourite dance style.
"I like the atmosphere cheerleading brings. I like how it gets people into the spirit of a game. Who hasn't had fun watching cheerleaders?"
While the aim of the squad was to generate pride, passion and entertainment at sporting events, she warned the squad would not be for the faint of heart.
"We're not just going to be a whole lot of blonde girls shaking our pompoms. We'll be trained dancers who have been dancing for years. This is a serious discipline."
