From the 1970s to 2026, over 50 years were represented when a host of former Bulldogs cheerleaders reunited for a special alumni performance during Women in League Round.
After the success of last season’s reunion performance from the 1995 squad in our Round 21 win over the Manly Sea Eagles, the Club extended an invite to all former cheerleaders to dust off their pom-poms and perform together one more time.
Lee Downie was the one of the oldest returning cheerleaders, having represented the Club from 1972-1981 and was thrilled to not only perform again but to also honour the memory of her mum – who coached the cheerleading squad in the 70s and made the costumes the women wore.
“It was very nice and I felt that my mother was with me. I gave her a kiss up to heaven as I went out,” Downie said.
“My mum was (the squad) manager and choreographer for seven years while I was in the cheer squad.
She passed away when she was 50…she would’ve been 80 next month. If she was alive she would’ve been here tonight.
Over 100 performers took the field at half time with 65 being alumni cheerleaders, 30 junior cheerleaders and 23 current Sapphires. Amongst the group were two mother-daughter duos, an aunty-niece relation and two sisters.
Rehearsals for the half-time extravaganza started mid-June with two of the sessions taking place on-field at Belmore Sports Ground.
The returning cheerleaders, who performed in t-shirts that displayed the final year of their cheer career, were presented with special alumni rings to remember the evening.
Meanwhile, the current Sapphires wore old costumes from the mid-2000s, early 2000s, 1990s, 1980s and 1970s – all kindly donated by the alumni for the performance.
Sapphires Alumni
Lee Downie 1972-1981
Leanne Bourne 1981-1987
Kerrie Lewis 1982-1986
Renee Sahin 1983-1986
Norma Londos 1984-1985
Karen Yerbury 1984-1986
Carol Perrin 1984-1987
Michelle Clay 1985-1987
Claire Scott 1993-1995
Melissa Tallon 1993-1995
Belinda Proctor 1993-1995
Rachel Tanti 1993-1995
Natalia Yuill 1993-1995
Rachel Ingram 1994-1995
Vanessa Vanderwolf 1994-1995
Michelle Thompson 1995
Nicole Evans 1995
Lavinia Harris Mason 1995
Anita Weaver 1997-2000
Katrina Spadone Garcia 1997-2004
Catherine Carney 1998-2000
Jennifer Stamoulis 1998-2001
Nicole Ellis Racca 1998-2001
Marie Fitzsimmons 1999
Tanya Wilson 1999-2000
Natalie Kennedy 2000-2001
Briana Turner 2001-2004
Jyoti Kendrigan 2001-2005
Lauren Newton 2001-2008
Carly Forsberg 2002-2004
Elicia Long 2002-2005
Lauren Robinson 2002-2008
Marissa Chiarello 2002-2012
Rachel Maybury 2005-2008
Kodie Marie Atkinson 2006-2011
Reannen Berry 2006-2011
Renee Herington 2006-2016
Naomi Roberts 2008-2013
Melinda Theore 2009-2013
Kimberley Elliott 2009-2013
Kristie Elliott 2009-2013
Melissa Eaton 2010-2013
Darcie McDonald 2011-2015
Katy Hong 2011-2013
Haley O’Connor 2011-2013
Jacinta Balzer 2012-2013
Lacey Kelly 2013
Nicole Shiels Wilson 2016-2017
Tracy Reid 2016-2024
Carly Tyburski 2017
Leizel Igadna 2017-2019
Emma Smith 2017-2020
Shannen Felton 2017-2020
Ellie Field 2017-2021
Joanne Dubois 2017-2022
Kat Scarfo 2017-2025
Monique Ambrose 2018-2019
Ainsley Ford 2018-2023
Rachael Everett 2020-2021
Anna-Maria Kirkovski 2022
Samantha Vaartjes 2022-2024
PLUS the 2026 Sapphires squad.
