As we are nearing the end of the season and preparing for the Grey Cup, many of the Calgary Stampeder Outriders begin to feel excited for the big game, but also feel sadness at the realization that the season has flown by so quickly and is almost finished.

This time of year also causes many girls to begin to reflect on their years on the team, their lives outside of Outriders and what their futures hold. Every year I have pondered the very same things and have asked my self the scary question: Am I ready to retire my pompoms and find a new hobby?

The 2010 season has been my seventh season and every year so far I have concluded that I am not ready to quit my Outriders family. I come back every year to cheer on the Stamps, but also because I love the amazing girls I get to dance with every week. The friendships are strong, especially between the girls who have been on the team for years, probably because this is a team where everyone has the same goals and expectations.

We are proud of our football team, we love to dance and entertain the fans and we love being a part of the community. The girls on the Outriders work extremely hard and all bring individual talents to the team. We have the girls who can tumble, the girls with incredible dance technique, the performers, and girls with many other qualities. Every Outrider is on the team for a reason and we try as best as we can to support each other.

Another reason I return to the team every year is the opportunity to travel to Grey Cup. The cheer teams from across Canada go to Grey Cup, not only to perform at the Cheer Extravaganza, but also to represent their city and team. I am proud to be a representative of the Calgary Stampeders at each event and proud to be from a city as great as Calgary.

The 2008 Grey Cup Championship game was one of my most memorable moments as an Outrider. There is almost nothing better than being on the field when the Stamps win the championship game. What an unbelievable experience! Grey Cup is a tradition that belongs to Canada and I personally believe that everyone should attend at least one. I know that I will continue to go every year even after I am done with my cheerleading career.

The 2010 season has been very special to me because I have been given the opportunity to be the captain of the team and have had a few more responsibilities as a result. I strive to be a good leader who listens to my team, as well as a positive representative of the Stampeders organization.

It has been a challenging year, but I have loved every moment of it and I feel blessed to have had these experiences. Thank you to all the lovely Outrider ladies who have made this season so awesome!

We only have a few more games left, but I feel confident that our Stamps will be on the field at Grey Cup and I cannot wait to dance on the sidelines and cheer them on! Go Stamps!

Ceilynn
>> Ceilynn’s bio