Making The Move: Ravens Hold Cheerleading Clinic This Weekend
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (WJZ) -- If you've ever dreamed of becoming a Ravens cheerleader, now's your chance.
The first clinic is Saturday in Owings Mills in preparation for next month's tryouts.
Ron Matz reports hundreds of women and men will try to make the only co-ed cheer team in the NFL.
It's time to make your best moves. It's your chance to win one of 49 coveted spots on the Ravens cheerleading squad.
The first clinic is Saturday, where the Ravens train in Owings Mills.
"We have a clinic tomorrow and another clinic on Feb. 18, both at the Under Armour Performance Center," said Jessica, a Ravens cheerleader for the past two years. "My advice would be to come to both clinics. You can see what the competition is like. You can meet the veterans and get any advice we might have."
The actual tryouts come March 8 at Merritt's Downtown Athletic Club.
"The great thing about the clinics is you get to learn the first two eight counts of our tryout dance. That means you will have three weeks to prepare that part of the dance before you even come in March," said Jessica.
"Just come out and have fun. The clinic is where you get to see what the team is like. You can meet a lot of the veterans. You can ask for suggestions and talk to the coaches, get a taste of what practice would be like if you make the squad," said Amanda.
Jessica never gave up, and it really paid off.
"I actually tried out five times before I made the team. When they called my number that year, I felt like my heart dropped into my stomach. I couldn't believe that it actually came true," she said.
Men can join the party, too. The Ravens have the only co-ed cheer squad in the NFL.
"We do need guys. There are 18 guys on the team. A lot of us have gotten a little long in the tooth, so we're going to have quite a few openings for guys," said Henry, a Ravens cheerleader for the past 10 years.
It's an experience the team members will tell you is like no other.
"It was amazing. It was almost like a fairy tale. You go to the games and you're cheering on a Super Bowl champion, the previous Super Bowl champion. You're practicing every day and meeting so many new people. It's been so much fun," said Amanda, who was a rookie on the Ravens cheerleading team last year.
About 300 men and women will try to become a member of the Ravens cheerleading team.
"Come in, look sharp, act sharp, be sharp. Have a little bit of athletic talent. You don't have to have any cheerleading experience. It's a good time. I have the best seats in the house," said Henry.
The first clinic at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills begins Saturday at 10 a.m.
For more information about the cheerleading program, click here.
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