GRIDIRON TEAM AS NFL HITS LONDON
Pom-pom passion of US glam girls to light up Wembley
THE American NFL teams arrive in London with a sizzling support act – their cheerleaders. With their glowing tans and glossy locks, the girls bring Stateside glamour to the Wembley turf, whipping British fans into a frenzy.
And one girl gang hoping to serve up an electric show are the Ben-Gals – the dancers for the Cincinnati Bengals.
But what does it take to make their glam squad? Star girl FELICITY CROSS went to find out. ON a chilly day in the capital, I met up with four of the Ben-Gals’ prime dancers ahead of the team’s clash today with the Washington Redskins.
I was bundled up in my winter coat but the girls were braving the cold in their skimpy crop tops and miniskirts.
They told me that after just a few days in London, they have already begun to feel at home.
Squad captain Megan Hall, who’s been with the gang for six years, said: “It’s the first time in London for most of us so it’s great. “It’s exciting to see all the different sights, and the architecture, it’s really cool.
“Yesterday we went sight-seeing and really did the tour. It’s just amazing to be here.”
Pal Mercedes Berry added: “We left home on Monday and arrived here on Tuesday.
“When we arrived we went straight to the stadium and checked it out and got a feel for the place.”
The perky duo were joined by dancemates Ashlee Bennett and Jordan Templin for the day as they took a ride in a London taxi. But the reason for their trip across the Atlantic was never far from their minds, as the girls excitedly talked me through their plans for the big game.
Mercedes, who has danced for the team for the last four seasons, said: “It’s going to be a really big game, but for us it will just be our normal game day schedule.
“We have a new routine that we’re planning on showcas
ing. “It’s going to be really high-energy, a lot of fun, and really exciting to watch.” With those words in mind, now it was my turn to pick up the pom-poms. The girls taught me their simple “Orange and Black” routine that they use to get the crowd going. And dressed in my own Union Jack-themed kit, I gave the swirling and twirling a go. The moves were fairly simple, but trying to remember the order was impossible. Megan told me to keep the actions sharp and clean so footy fans at the back of the stands could see clearly. But as I flailed my arms around and tried to kick my leg up, I was forced to admit that the dancer’s life was not for me.