It’s not just on the field that the Cronulla Sharks are leading the way at the moment.
Jacqueline-Lee Elliott, choreographer of the club’s Mermaids cheerleading squad, has been chosen to teach at the prestigious Choreography Pros convention in the US.
Elliott will leave for Scottsdale, Arizona next week to work as a creative at the workshop on July 9 and 10.
Elliott is in her fifth year as the Cronulla Sharks Mermaids choreographer having previously danced with the squad for nine years.
The Mermaids, consistently regarded as one of the best cheerleading squads in the NRL, are popular with Cronulla fans for adding colour and glamour to Sharks' home games.
The convention is popular with NBA and NFL teams with 30 routines taught to dance captains and choreographers over the two days.
Elliott said it was exciting to know her routines could be used next season by franchises like NBA champions the Cleveland Cavaliers and Super Bowl winning Denver Broncos.
“Working alongside these sort of choreographers is a dream come true,” she said.
“I don’t think any Aussies have attended as a choreographer [before].
“I always thought I’d go over as a dancer and audition and maybe do a few seasons in the US.
“Then my career started moving towards directing and choreographer which I enjoy more.
“This is up there, I think. It’s pretty massive.
“I got the text on the Sunday morning and I was just ecstatic and crying.
“It’s not every day you get to do something like this.
“My husband said ‘you’ve just got to go’. You need to take your opportunities.”
As well as the chance to learn from and teach in front of some of the best in her industry, Elliott said she was keen to bring back some exciting new moves for her Mermaids.
This is up there, I think. It’s pretty massive. It’s not every day you get to do something like this.
- Jacqueline-Lee Elliott
“I follow [the NBA and NFL] closely,” she said. “It’s similar to what we do [but] they’re so extreme. I want something different to bring back. Some of the great stuff they do, they’re just on another level over there.
“So to bring back something into our game day entertainment and something exciting for the fans. I love the [Mermaids] squad and they’re all doing really well.”